Do you ever feel like baking is a bigger challenge than you might be willing to take on? You’ve just figured out a way to make dinner that your kids actually enjoy, you can’t put them through dessert experimentation now too! Not to fear, I have come up with some surefire tips to help you get comfortable baking!

Items I can’t live without:

  • Cooking spray: To avoid a sticky mess, spritz utensils and measuring cups with a little cooking spray. The syrup and honey will slide right off!
  • Parchment paper: This is an absolute must-have. Keeps baked goods from sticking and clean up a snap.
  • Toothpicks: When testing the doneness of a cake, insert a toothpick into the center. If the pick comes out with a few crumbs you’re there. If it comes out clean, might be slightly over done.

Butter is your friend:

  • To quickly soften butter, place in the microwave for 15-20 seconds but be careful not to melt it.
  • Remember that when making pie crust (with butter) to return the dough back to the fridge for 10-15 minutes before you roll it out to bring the temperature of the butter back down. The secret to flaky pie crust is cold butter.

Always remember:

  • All ovens cook differently, jot notes in your cookbook of actual oven temperature and times so you take out the guesswork the next time you make the recipe.
  • Chill cookie dough before you bake it. This will allow the baking soda to do it’s thing before the butter melts and the cookie gets flat
  • When making cookies, quick breads, cakes or muffins, less is more when it comes to mixing. Don’t over mix just to be sure!
  • When making a cake, always whisk together the dry ingredients so they blend evenly with the liquid ingredients.

What are some baking tips you can’t live without?