Do you have holiday baking coming up? I definitely do, it’s one of my very favorite things to do during the holiday season. This post contains contributed content but I think you’ll enjoy the tips!
The art of baking was once seen as the work of bored housewives and kindly grandmothers. Yet in modern times, it has seen something of a resurgence. Young chefs on social media and popular television programmes like The Great British Baking Show have turned the traditional method into a cool trend.
The lockdowns of last year saw thousands of people, from all age groups and genders, pick up a rolling pin for the first time and teach themselves how to bake. Instagram was awash with perfectly-shot photos of delicious cakes, cookies and breads.
But baking is not a simple skill to pick up. It is a science, and one that requires expert knowledge and understanding of complicated techniques. Misjudge your measurements or timings and your sponge cake will emerge from the oven either a soggy-bottomed mess or a blackened husk.
It takes time and commitment to become a master of the culinary art, but by following these five tips you will be well on your way.
Get the right equipment
You don’t need to spend thousands on state of the art kitchen equipment right away, but it is essential you start off with some essential kit. You don’t want to get halfway through a recipe before realising you’ve forgotten something crucial. Baking tins, trays, rolling pin, sieve, mixing bowl and whisk are just a few of the main items you’ll need.
Start simple
Baking can be tricky, especially if you’ve never tried it before. As with any new skill, it’s always wise to start off slow and work your way up. Begin with uncomplicated recipes like cookies and cupcakes. As your confidence grows, you can start dabbling in slightly more advanced techniques, such as this pound cake recipe found here. Eventually you’ll have no trouble rolling filo pastry, proving dough, and even constructing multi-tiered cakes to impress your dinner guests.
Find the time
If you want to become an expert in any field, you’ll need to put the practice in. It’s no use dabbling in a spot of baking once every few months, as your skills will quickly fade. Carve out plenty of time in your schedule each week for self-development and you’ll soon notice a drastic improvement.
Learn from your mistakes
Even the best bakers make mistakes at times, and it’s almost certain to happen to you too. Perhaps you’ll leave your bake in the oven a fraction too long, or absentmindedly miss out a crucial component from your bread dough. Whatever happens, don’t let it get you down. Errors are a great way to learn, as you’ll be able to figure out what you did wrong and avoid similar disasters in future.
Take a course
There are plenty of great recipes and video tutorials online to get you started in the world of baking, but if you want to kickstart your culinary journey much quicker, it’s an excellent idea to take a course. There are plenty of culinary courses and workshops that cater to all abilities. You will be instructed and mentored by professional chefs and experts, and gain first hand experience of all the techniques and tips you’ll need to know.
