Baking means to cook with hot, dry air in an oven. Cookies, cakes, pies and muffins are all foods that you bake. Here is information about a few basic techniques that are commonly used in baking.
Preparing baking pans
-Rub the inside of the pan with a piece of butter.
-Sprinkle a small amount of flour into the pan.
-Tilt the pan and tap lightly until the bottom and sides are evenly coated with flour. Dump out the excess.
Cutting butter and flour together
-Put the butter into the bowl of flour.
-Using 2 table knives, cut through the mixture.
-Continue cutting through the mixture until crumbs form.
Whipping heavy cream
-Pour the heavy cream into a bowl.
-Using an electric mixer, whip the cream just until soft peaks form.
-Turn off the mixer. Lift the beaters and check that the peaks hold their shape.
Testing for doneness
-Use pot holders to take the pan out of the oven.
-Stick a toothpick into the center of a muffin, cake or brownies.
-Gently pull out the toothpick. If it comes out clean, the baked food is done.
Scraping batter in a bowl
-Steady the mixing bowl with one hand.
-Run the spatula slowly around the inside.
-Or turn the bowl, keeping the spatula in place, to scrape the batter from the sides.
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