A while back, we asked professional bakers in the BuzzFeed Community to share the most common mistakes people make when baking, and their responses were super helpful. Since then, more people have flooded the comments with tips of their own, so here are some that can save you from a future baking fail:
1.Be mindful of the order in which you add and mix your ingredients. It matters.
2.And this seems obvious, but read the recipe and actually follow it.
3.Soften butter quickly by steaming it in a hot glass.
4.And remember, softened butter does NOT mean melted butter.
5.Stop using margarine in place of butter. They're not the same.
6.When measuring flour, either weigh it or scoop and level it into the measuring cup — don't shake it.
7.Table salt is the way to go when baking. Save the coarse salt for your finishing touches.
8.When in doubt, use large eggs.
9.Take altitude into account when baking.
10.If using a stand mixer, know exactly when to use the paddle or whisk attachment.
11.Don't over-mix your batter. It can lead to different, sometimes unwanted, results.
12.Invest in a digital scale so you can be precise when measuring your ingredients. Remember, baking's a science.
13.Use an ice cream or cookie scoop to help you create even cupcakes and cookies.
14.Or you can achieve cookies that are identical sizes by weighing each ball of dough prior to baking.
15.Be patient and give yourself enough time to bake with care and precision.
16.Always butter your cake pan well and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
17.Refrigerate your cookie dough prior to baking it, no matter how badly you want your cookies already.
18.In order to avoid the film on top of sauces, put a butter wrapper over the sauce.
19.Proof bread dough quicker by placing it in a cold oven with hot water underneath it.
20.Invest in a good oven thermometer so you can ensure your oven is performing as expected.
21.I know it's hard not to, but don't frequently open your oven to check on your baked goods.
22.The timer doesn't determine when your baked good is done, you do.
23.But don't leave your baked good in the oven longer than it needs to be. Trust in the power of letting your baked goods cool down.
24.Hot cakes will melt frosting, so don't slather it on before the cake has cooled down.
25.Don't always put looks over taste. After all, someone has to eat it.
26.Always do a crumb coat on your cake and chill it afterward (if you have time) before you even think about decorating it.
27.When baking bread, let your loaf rest for a few hours before slicing into it!
28.And finally, know exactly what you want your final product to look like and then have the appropriate recipe for it.
