Author Archives: Better Baking Bible

Seven Things To Improve Your Baking

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Baking isn’t just an art – it’s a science. It’s about the ingredients’ physical properties, chemical reactions, measuring techniques and procedure!

Anyone can bake if they have a good recipe and follow its instructions to the letter. However, how would you like to take your baking to a whole new level of excellence? Here are seven things that will make a better baker.

Preparing To Bake

Firstly, before you roll up your sleeves and turn on the oven, it’s important to be well-prepared for baking. Make sure your surfaces are clear and clean, ready to cook. Make sure you’ve washed your hands and ensure you’ve put on an apron ready to catch any spills and splashes that could ruin your clothes. Although you could choose a half apron, a full coverage one is often the best idea to make sure that you are fully protected from marks and stains. You can find more apron styles here to choose from. Once you’re ready to begin, it’s time to stock up your pantry with these secret enhancing ingredients that will boost the flavor of your cakes, pastries, and puddings significantly.

Instant Espresso Powder

Don’t confuse espresso powder with grin coffee – instant powder is mixed directly with boiling water to make an intense and immediate cup of java. It’s not only great for making a tasty cup of speedy coffee, but it’s also great for making chocolate dishes even more chocolatey. If you’re not a coffee fan, don’t worry, a pinch or two won’t make your dessert taste of coffee, but it will make the flavor more complex and potent.

Lemon

Just a touch of lemon works wonders for fruit flavors, intensifying its fruitiness and balancing any fruit which is just too sweet for a rounder flavor. Try lemon zest for your pie filling, juice for jams and paste for fillings, frostings and cake batter.

Nutmeg

You may be used to adding nutmeg to your cookies at Christmas time, however, this subtle spice works incredibly well in savory dishes too. It can enhance cream-based sauces like mornay and bechamel, and you should definitely try it in mac and cheese.

Cinnamon

If you’re making a caramel dessert, cinnamon will enhance its flavor even more. Don’t add too much though – just a small pinch will usually be enough to make your puddings and cakes taste amazing.

Almond extract

Are you making a coffee cake or coffee-flavor ice cream? Then try adding a touch of almond extract. A quarter teaspoon is enough to add some extra sparkle to your dessert and will bring even more depth of flavor.

White Pepper

If you’re making any baked goods that are flavored with spice, molasses or ginger, add a touch of white paper. A few grinds will add even more depth to the spice, along with floral notes that will take your cake or cookies to a whole new level. Try these secret pantry ingredients the next time you bake and you’re sure to be amazed by the way their flavors lift your baking to a whole new level of excellence!

How to Make the Perfect Coffee Crunch Cake

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Any San Franciscan will sigh about the highly beloved but sadly departed, Coffee Crunch Cake when asked about dessert! Well, we say “departed” since the original coffee crunch cake people — Blum’s Bakery in San Francisco and Ernest Weil, the original baker who developed the recipe for this delicious cake in the 1940s — are long gone. But what was so legendary about it?

Let us correct you, it still is legendary and it’s because of the classic twin stars:

  1. Coffee
  2. Contrast

The coffee crunch cake is a sinful composition of lemon-vanilla flavoured, sponge cake layers, smothered generously with coffee-infused whipped cream, and covered in totality by a coffee crunch toffee topping. The contrast between crisp and soft textures and that of bittersweet coffee with lemon layers is truly exceptional.

The ’70s saw Blum’s shut shop, but the coffee crunch cake lived on in people’s taste buds and also recipes. That said, here’s how to make the perfect coffee crunch cake.

Ingredients for Sponge Cake:

  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 6 large eggs, separated 
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Method:

  • In a large bowl, whisk all dry ingredients with half the sugar. Add 3/4 cup water, oil, egg yolks, zest, and vanilla; beat until smooth.
  • Whisk egg whites with remaining sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form.
  • Fold the beaten egg whites gently with the batter in two rounds. 
  • Pour in a 10-inch pan and bake in a pre-heated oven at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Chill for another hour before frosting.

Coffee Frosting:

  • 2 1/2 cups well-chilled heavy cream
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons roasted coffee granules

Ingredients for Coffee Crunch: 

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee 
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Method:

  • Line a baking sheet with greasy parchment.
  • In a saucepan boil sugar, coffee, and corn syrup over medium heat to 300 degrees.
  • Remove from heat and after 10 seconds whisk in baking soda until combined and immediately pour over the baking sheet. Do not spread and let it cool for 30 minutes.
  • Break into uneven pieces with a spoon.

Assemble the cake by covering the halved layers of cake with frosting. Before stacking the layers, cover with the crunch in between. Cover entirely with coffee crunch just before serving.

Baker’s tip: Remember that a lot depends on the starring ingredient—coffee. The whipped cream and the honeycomb flavours can make or break the coffee crunch cake. So, the coffee you use for infusing the whipped cream and for making the crunchy shards must be of stellar quality. The magic of this cake lies in the contrast that the unique caffeinated flavour provides. 

Ingredients make a world of difference. So, choosing the best coffee roasters in Sydney to bake this classic dessert is only fitting to its historical stature. With Grand Cru, your coffee crunch cake will be just perfect and might remind you of Sunday mornings in Union Square.

The EASIEST Homemade Black Forest Cake Recipe!

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I love a good old EASY recipe! Especially black forest cake, which seems to be one of the most popular and sought after cakes that everyone seems to – dread making. This recipe is by far one of the easiest black forest cake recipes that will have you jumping for joy and eating it in no-time. 

Black forest cake is a German cake with several layers of chocolate sponge cake sandwiched between whipped cream and cherries. To make an ORIGINAL German black forest cake the cake must include “Kirsh: cherry liqueur. To be honest, you can use any one of your favorite cherry liqueurs or one that you have sitting in the pantry and you will achieve the same effect. If you have rum in your pantry instead, you can use that too! The Austrian’s use rum in their black forest cakes instead. Whatever it is that you use, this cake will without a doubt turn out delicious! 

*If you would like to share my recipe and photos please provide proper credit and a link back. Thanks!  

The Easiest Black Forest Cake

Ingredients:

Chocolate Cake Layers:
9 large eggs
½ cup sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
½ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
¼ cup softened unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Cherry Syrup
1 lb of pitted and roughly chopped cherries
3 tbsp of cherry brandy of your choice
¼ cup of water

To Decorate:

10 whole cherries
3 oz of dark chocolate

Cherry Liqueur Cake Frosting:

3 ½ cups of heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup of powdered sugar
1 tbp cherry liqueur

Directions:

To Make Chocolate Cake Layers:
1. In a mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat eggs on high. Slowly add in sugar all while continuously mixing until light and fluffy.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, mix together flour and cocoa powder. Using a spatula, fold into egg mixture until well incorporated.
2. Next, fold in vanilla and softened butter until well incorporated. Divide between two 9” pans and bake in a preheated oven at 350F for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
3. For best results, once your cake layers are done baking and cooled on a wire rack, place them in the fridge until you are ready to assemble your cake.

To Make Cherry Syrup:

1. Place pitted and chopped up cherries in a mixing bowl with 3 tbsp of cherry brandy. Let cherries sit in brandy for about half hour, and then separate the cherries from the syrup by draining the cherries over a bowl. Set both mixtures aside.
2. Add ¼ cup of water to cherry syrup and set aside.

To Make Cake Frosting:

1. In a mixing bowl, beat whipping cream on high speed using an electric mixer until peaks form. Slowly add in powdered sugar and cherry liqueur and keep mixing until well incorporated. For best results, put cake frosting in fridge and keep cool at all times until you are ready to assemble your cake.

Cake Assembly:

1. Using a long knife, slice cake layers in half in order to make 4 cake layers. Place first layer on a serving plate or cake stand, and cover with ¼ cup of cherry syrup. Then, cover with approximately ¾ cup of frosting and sprinkle on chopped cherries. Repeat with all layers. Using the remaining frosting to frost the sides of the cake.
2. Using a vegetable peeler, shave chocolate in order to make chocolate shavings. Cover the sides and the top with shaved chocolate and decorate top with whole cherries.

Creative Valentine’s Gifts to Make Your Soulmate Feel Special

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Looking for the perfect Valentines day gift? Here are some easy and creative ideas to make your loved one!

Valentine’s day is another beautiful occasion to show undying emotions of love in the relationship. It is a great day to express love and romance with the beloved partner. Valentine’s day also gives an opportunity to the married couples to relive their unforgettable memories with their partners. If you wish to make your husband feel special on this lover’s day, then surprise him with these Valentine’s gifts and romantic gestures.

DELIGHT WITH TEMPTING CAKE:

People in their memorable parties always appreciate the presence of a cake. If you wish to make your Valentine’s party more special, then you can also order an attractive Valentine cake online to enjoy some delightful moments of the day. Make sure to prepare the cake with flavors of his choices. You can also choose a beautiful design of the cake to create some unforgettable memories of this Valentine’s day. He will surely enjoy each bite of the cake and feel loved receiving such beautiful moments of togetherness. 

Personalized Grooming Kit:

 A gift for your husband should be helpful to give him some memorable moments of the day. You can choose a customized grooming kit to show your care for him. Put all of his favorite products like shower gel, face cream, deodorant or perfume, and shaving items, etc. in the pack. It may be one of the fantastic Valentine’s day gifts for him to show how much you are dedicated from the heart. You can even personalize the grooming bag with his memorable photo. It will be perfect to carry during his official tours.

A Photo Coffee mug with Red Roses: 

If you want to start this Valentine’s day with a romantic gesture, then you should dedicate bloomings flowers for your husband. I love the idea from Cheryl from blog lamour et fleurs about ordering a designer bunch of red roses online to convey your heartfelt emotions on this lovely day. Try to choose a colorful packing to make it more presentable for him. You can also complement red roses adding a photo coffee mug in the box. Take a cute picture of you with him to print on the cup. It will surely bring a beaming smile on his face on Valentine’s morning.

Handmade Love Cards:

If you want to share your inner emotions with your soulmate, then you can go with the handmade greetings. You can show little creativity to make a presentable card for him. Add romantic poetry, and some love quotes to make him feel special. You can also use memorable photos to decorate a beautiful love card for your loving husband. Try to write rhymes with his and your name to give some romantic moments of the day. It will be the best present to convey your hidden feelings on Valentine’s day. He will surely get to know how much you love him from the heart. 

Smart gadgets for Him:

We live in a world, where our essential daily tasks look difficult in the absence of electronic devices. You can choose a unique gadget to surprise your husband on this Valentine’s day. It can be a smartphone, I-pad, laptop, and digital camera, etc. to give him some fantastic moments. You can even choose a device that he may be planning to buy for a long time. He will be happy to get such a useful gadget from your side. You can also give a personalized cover to hold that particular device.

BEEF JERKY:

The man of your life with love this gift! The Manly Man Company has so many unique beef jerky gifts that make the perfect Valentines day gifts. From beef jerky shaped flowers, meat cards, bacon roses, and even bacon scented wrapping paper, you are bound to find something! Checkout their website for more!

So, you can quickly opt all of these creative gifting ideas to make your soulmate feel fantastic on this Valentine’s day.

10 Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas

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If you think wallpaper is confined to libraries, half-baths, and your Aunt Linda’s sitting room, think again. Wallpaper is an affordable, chic way to add color to your kitchen!

Photo by Chronicle Books

The next time you collaborate with your interior designer Los Angeles, keep these 10 kitchen wallpaper concepts in mind.

Create an Accent Wall

Not ready to go all in on wallpaper? Paper just one wall and make it the room’s focal point. Keep your paint, cabinets, and backsplash neutral, and don’t be afraid to use that papered space to showcase your style.

Warm Up Your Pantry

Your pantry maybe under constant assault by your family, but that doesn’t mean it has to look dull. A pop of color between shelves can liven up even the most mundane stockpile of chickpea rotini and canned tomatoes.

Add Texture

Wallpaper is a tremendous way to add texture to a space and decorate your kitchen. Go for grasscloth, make it mica chip, or simply create the illusion of texture with a classic plaid print.

Add a Graphic Print to Your Mid-Century Modern Kitchen

A bold, graphic pattern can fit a variety of kitchens but works especially well in kitchens that have a mod vibe. Team up with your kitchen designer Los Angeles to find a colorful print that fits your space.

Paper the Front of Your Fridge

Got an eyesore of a fridge? Update that drab icebox with wallpaper. It’s an inventive design touch that can be completed in an afternoon. Just make sure to waterproof your paper with a clear sealant as your final step.

Add Depth to Storage Furniture

If you have open cabinets or furniture such as a hutch, papering the back wall can make the items inside stand out. Plus, choosing a brighter shade of paper can lighten up even the heaviest of furniture.

Turn a Corner Into a Breakfast Nook

Using wallpaper to delineate one area of your kitchen from another is an easy way to transform an ordinary corner into a cozy, separate space dedicated to eggs, waffles, and cup after cup of coffee.

Draw the Line Between Kitchen and Dining

In the same vein, you can use wallpaper to define your dining room. By applying wallpaper strictly to the walls surrounding your table, you can mark that spot as separate and inviting in its own right.

Create a Bold Backsplash

Striking prints and patterns work best in small spaces, including the backsplash behind your sink or stovetop. After applying, be sure to cover your work with a coat of polyurethane or a sheet of glass in order to protect it against, well, splashes.

Test Things Out With Temporary Paper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is perfect for those who aren’t ready to commit to wallpaper or who want the ability to change the look of their kitchen frequently. Simply remove the backing and apply it to the desired surface. Don’t like it? Ready for a change? Peel it right back off again and marvel at the lack of damage to your wall.

A little bit of wallpaper goes a long way in most kitchens thanks to their cabinetry, making it a fun, inexpensive way to add style to the space. When you’re ready to update the heart of your home, don’t be afraid to add a bit of color, a bit of depth, or both.

Make the Perfect Bread – Here’s How the Falling Number Test Works

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Do you have trouble making the perfect bread at home? If you are using the incorrect flour, you will never get that delicious soft bread you’ve always dreamt of. Here are some ways to use science and the falling number test to figure out which flour to use to make the perfect bread!

Make this rosemary bread! Recipe was featured here.

The Falling Number (FN) test measures enzyme activity in flour. This is related to the alpha-amylase (AA) cereal enzyme, which is found in wheat after harvesting. FN measures the amount and activity of alpha-amylase in flour samples. Why is it important to measure this, and how does the Falling Number test work?

The Effects of AA in Grain

A certain amount of alpha-amylase is important in ensuring proper baking happens, because AA breaks down starches, which provides sugars that fuel fermentation processes. With the right amount of AA activity, you can achieve a high volume of bread that has the right firm and soft texture combination. If the level of alpha-amylase is high, there will be a greater formation of dextrins during the breadmaking process. The resulting dough will be sticky and harder to manage, producing a lower volume.

On the other hand, if AA activity is too low, then the result is likely to be a dry breadcrumb, also with a lower volume.

What is the FN Test?

Developed in Sweden, the Falling Number test transforms a flour sample into a gravy-like substance, by combining it with hot water. It then uses a falling paddle to test how thick this substance stays over a given time period, measured in seconds. The FN time is the time it takes to mix the substance and for the paddle to fall through the gelatinised starch in the mixture. Where there is high enzyme activity, this breaks the starch down rapidly, with the paddle device falling through the mixture in a relatively short time.

Essentially, it is a risk management tool. If FN is below 300 seconds, it significantly increases the chances of the AA enzymes being active. Grain with high AA activity, where low falling numbers are shown, may not produce good quality products.

Knowing Your Falling Numbers

You can also use the Falling Number test to bake products with specific or desired FN values. For example, flours used in bread baking will have different FN values to flours used for other products, such as crackers or biscuits. FN values over 250 seconds are most suitable for bread baking processes, whereas falling numbers over 350 seconds may mean that the flour will require supplementing with malted grain or a form of amylolytic enzyme.

What Influences Falling Numbers?

There can be several reasons for lower falling numbers, and correspondingly high amounts of AA activity in flour. Fluctuations in precipitation and temperature can affect wheat harvests. Unpredictable weather patterns can result in pre-harvest sprouting, initiating germination that turns wheat from green to gold. Large temperature increases or decreases can lead to late maturity alpha-amylase during grain maturation. 

The Benefits of the FN Test

FN can test for:

  • Activity of enzymes in wheat flour
  • Damage to wheat kernels from sprouting
  • Water-binding capacity and water absorption
  • Dough-handling issues
  • Different flour specifications.

Calibre Control provides expert Falling Number testing equipment, including the Perten Falling Number 1000 and the Falling Number 1310. For more information, please get in touch on +44 (0) 1925 860 401, or email info@calibrecontrol.com

Tips to Earn Money by Starting Your Own Home Bakery Business to Repay Your Existing Debts

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Starting your own home bakery business is a great way to earn some extra cash on the side. Here’s how!

Photo via: Wesrch.com

We have witnessed how just a few years back the cupcake business had gained phenomenal popularity and was a darling story of the media. We know that popular television series like 2 Broke Girls trying to start a cupcake venture to earn their living, and many such television shows often featured cupcakes and one could see the emergence of the era of the entrepreneurial bakers.

We could see how new startups, home-based businesses, and even existing businesses turned to cupcake production. However, thanks to market saturation and overexposure, the cupcake craze did subside gradually; there is still scope for home bakers to start their own bakery business as a side business to boost their overall income. You simply cannot ignore the fact that bakeries surely are a staple in practically all neighborhoods in the United States. They are the most favorite destination for holiday pies, birthday cakes, and other mouth-watering delights for satisfying people’s sugar craving.

However, starting a bakery could be an expensive proposition since you need to secure a lease and maintain a stock of premium-quality ingredients. Moreover, you need to employ the services of a helper or two and buy or lease commercial baking equipment. With that in mind, it might be wise to consider using a free budget template to give you a better idea on what you can expect to spend each month. According to Entrepreneur, bakery startup expenses could generally be ranging from at least, $10,000 to $50,000. There are over 6,000 retail bakeries across the United States of America with approximately $3.8 billion in terms of total annual revenue.  

You too could start your home bakery; however, first of all, you need to ensure that it is legal to run a home bakery in your state. Find out if it is okay to go about selling home-baked products. The regulations surrounding the bakery industry are known as cottage food laws. These regulations could vary from one state to another. You must follow all the necessary rules and regulations. You may need to take out a work permit or license. If you plan your bakery business well, you could earn enough additional income to pay off your existing debt. A bakery business seems to do pretty well since custom orders are very much in vogue around the holiday season when most of the people seem to be extremely busy with celebrations and other activities and are not getting enough time to bake. Cookies and cheesecakes are very much in demand during the holiday season.

As per https://www.forbes.com, moms aspiring to be an entrepreneur could consider opening a small business and go about selling cupcakes at the nearest markets, or even out of food trucks, or even take loans to start their store. Many moms start their bakery business to earn enough additional income to stay on top of their debts. For professional debt relief assistance, you could browse through reputed sites such as NationaldebtRelief.com.

Let us explore some expert tips to make your bakery a huge success.

Share Pictures on Social Media

Many successful bakers started posting pictures of their enticing products on Facebook and Instagram and their baking business went off to a flying start. Most of them are having a flourishing side business. Visually-oriented social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram provide a brilliant platform for showcasing your mouth-watering creations. You must invest some time and some money in high-quality photography. High-resolution pictures of all your yummy treats make your unique creations get a polished and a pro look.

Come Up with a Signature Item

Experts believe that a signature product particularly-if the item is mainly holiday-themed would help in establishing you in your customers’ minds. You would soon find a niche for yourself in the bakery industry. If you create something special on the occasion of Thanksgiving, your customers would remember to come back to you to buy your signature dessert for Thanksgiving. Your customers would know precisely who to get in touch with when they are looking for that signature dish.

Distribute Your Business Cards

You must print some business cards even before rolling out your home bakery. While getting your business cards printed, you must make sure that your business card contains all the necessary information. It must have multiple contact information such as email ID, telephone number, and even your address. You must remember to highlight your product specifics that would surely make it stand out from the rest, for instance, themed cakes, gluten-free cupcakes, etc. You must go about distributing your business cards in person. Moreover, remember to leave a few extra business cards while delivering your creations to different customers so that they know where to locate you the next time they are in a mood for those delectable treats.

Focus on Networking with Other Bakers

Try to locate other bakers doing business in your area. Treat them as your friends and not just competition. A local group on Facebook or an Instagram group could help in providing you with the right information and the right contacts so that you could get the best possible deals on your supplies. Moreover, when somebody is extremely busy and cannot take an order, he or she could offer referrals to each other.

Offer Free Samples

Everybody enjoys having a free cake. So you must make it a point to flaunt your baking skills simply by sharing some free samples of your yummy treats with your potential customers. Experts recommend dropping off some free samples at all those places where you have some contacts like your doctor’s or dentist’s office, your church, knitting group, or book club, etc. You must go to such places where you have some contacts or connections. There is no point in dropping free samples at random places.

Conclusion

You must develop a lot of determination and tenacity. You must not get daunted by failures. When you start a bakery business, you may have to go through a few burnt cakes or cookies but that should not discourage you. You must treat such episodes as learning experiences. You must have the right mindset and must display calm and patience against all odds. You must realize that the success of your business depends on superlative creations and word-of-mouth. You must focus on producing yummy treats, providing superlative customer service, and go about everybody you know that you have started a baking business.