Category Archives: Baking Tips

5 Tools Every Baking Lover Needs to Have

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Many people assume that if they have an oven and the right ingredients, they can start baking!

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While this may be true if you know what you’re doing, novice bakers will likely encounter a lot of issues if they don’t have the right equipment on hand. Even master bakers will struggle without a few of the basics. So, in today’s post, we are going to look at the 5 essential tools every baking lover needs to have!

Rolling Pin

A rolling pin allows you to flatten and shape dough after it has been thoroughly mixed. However, this is not just about the shape. A rolling pin also helps give the dough the correct texture, making it one of the most important baking tools in your arsenal. Fortunately, rolling pins are easy to acquire in most stores that sell cooking utensils and they are not expensive. However, some rolling pins can be quite heavy (as they are often made of wood or metal). So, be careful not to drop it on your foot! In the event that you do have a foot-related accident in the kitchen, you can always contact the experts at Northwest Surgery Center for help.

Baking Pans

Without baking pans, you have nothing to contain your dough when it is in the oven. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a variety of baking pans. Each can be a different shape or size. For example, you can use large, round pans for cakes or square or rectangular pans for brownies. Either way, if you have a few different baking pans in your kitchen, you can literally make hundreds of different baking recipes!

Mixer

It is up to you whether you want a hand mixer or a stand mixer. Typically, a stand mixer is a kitchen must-have makes the entire process a bit easier. However, a hand mixer can give you more versatility. It also helps ensure that your baked goods truly feel “handmade.” In any case, some kind of mixer is essential for turning your basic ingredients into mixes or dough that can be put in the oven.

Measuring Cups

There is a surprising amount of math involved in baking. A bit too much of one ingredient or too little of another can actually ruin your baking project. Consequently, every baking enthusiast should have quality measuring cups on hand. This way, when a recipe calls for a quarter-cup of sugar, you won’t have to just guess; you can actually get the amounts exactly right.

Pastry Brush

Some people will argue that a pastry brush is not an “essential” tool. However, it does make the preparation part of baking far, far easier. With a pastry brush, you can quickly grease pans so that your baked goods don’t get stuck to the pan. This also makes it way easier to wash your pans afterward!

Vegan Substitutes for Popular Baking Ingredients

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As a vegan, baking can feel like a real challenge since most traditional recipes have some kind of animal product in them!

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How can you make a delicious batch of cookies or a decadent cake without ingredients like butter, milk or eggs? Take a look at these vegan-friendly substitutes for baking ingredients.

Eggs

As a vegan, you might be frustrated to find that eggs are in a lot of baking recipes. This is because eggs are an effective binding agent, helping all of the ingredients combine and stick together.

Swap out your eggs for these vegan-friendly binding agents:

  • Ground flaxseed mixed with water
  • Ground chia seeds mixed with water
  • Unsweetened applesauce
  • Mashed banana
  • Whisked aquafaba

Milk

Can’t use cow’s milk? No problem! There are countless options for vegan-friendly milk. There is oat, almond, cashew, rice, coconut, soy and more.

Butter

When a recipe requires melted butter, consider replacing it with oil. Neutral oils like canola oil, sunflower oil and grapeseed oil don’t have strong flavours that will outshine other ingredients. If you’re hoping to give your recipe a boost in flavour, you can choose a more fragrant oil like coconut or olive.

Otherwise, vegan butter will be your best substitute.

Honey 

Some vegans abstain from eating or using anything that comes from bee farming — this includes honey. If you can’t have honey in your recipes, you can use sweet substitutes like maple syrup, brown rice syrup or agave syrup instead.

Jam

Plenty of baking recipes call for a bit of jam, whether it’s a dollop of strawberry jam in the middle of thumbprint cookies or layers of cherry jam in Lamington cakes. Unfortunately, some jams have gelatin (an animal by-product) in them.

So, if you’re using a store-bought brand, check the label! You’ll want to find one that uses the plant-based ingredient pectin instead. Or you can make homemade apple pectin and use it to whip up your own batches of vegan-friendly jams.

Decorations

That’s right, even baking decorations aren’t always safe for you to use. You might need to find some vegan-friendly substitutions.

For starters, look at the container of sprinkles in your pantry. Does the ingredients list contain confectioner’s glaze? Confectioner’s glaze uses shellac — an insect-made product that is certainly not vegan. Try to find vegan sprinkles at the store or skip sprinkles altogether and dye coconut flakes with natural food colouring for your decorations.

Candies like gummy bears can contain gelatin. The good news is that there are healthy vegan gummies in all sorts of different colours and flavours out there. So, if you need cute toppers for your cupcakes, you can get yourself a bag of vegan gummies that uses plant-based ingredients to get that incredible soft, squishy texture.

Marshmallow is another ingredient that typically contains gelatin. So, look for vegan marshmallows when you go grocery shopping or make your own vegan marshmallows at home. These will be perfect for making puffed rice squares, stuffing sandwich cookies and decorating your sweetest treats.

You don’t have to let your veganism stop you from throwing on an apron and baking up a storm. Just use these substitutes!

Do You Have What It Takes to Start Your Own Baking Business?

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Thinking about starting your own baking business? Read this first!

Many of us dream of doing what we love and getting paid for it, but most of us don’t have the opportunity. However, if you love to bake, you can start small and gradually build up. For today’s entrepreneurs, starting a home-based baked goods business is a bit easier than some other options. If you keep a few crucial things in mind, you can turn your love of baking into a successful career.

Start Small

Opening up a brick-and-mortar bakery isn’t the best way to launch your baking career unless you have unlimited time and capital. Baking and cooking delicious recipes from home and selling either directly to consumers or through a local business is your best bet. Only commit to baking what you can realistically provide by baking at home during the time you have available. Baking cupcakes for an anniversary party for 50 people is fine; baking enough pastries for a wedding with a guest list of 350 people is probably a bad idea. Starting with small orders and selling them locally will establish your reputation. You’re more likely to succeed in the long run if you build your business gradually.

Understand Your Employment Situation

Until you’ve established your baking business and turned a reliable profit, you’ll probably want to keep your current job. If you have a strict, in-office, 9-to-5 job, don’t overextend yourself by accepting orders that you can’t prepare in the evenings or on weekends. Scheduling time to fulfill orders is a bit easier for those fortunate enough to work from home or who have freelance jobs such as dental office design. Be sure to consider how much time you realistically have without sacrificing your current income. You don’t want to lose your job before you’re ready to leap into the full-time baking business.

Know the Law and Comply

Making cookies for the local elementary school bake sale doesn’t require following specific regulations or licensing. Once you start selling baked goods for personal profit, you need to consider the state and local regulations around food preparation. Contact your state’s health or commerce department to find out what type of licensing you may need. Many states require that you have separate, dedicated equipment and supplies for anything you sell. In other words, you can’t use the same utensils for an order you’re selling that you use to prepare food for your family. Compliance with all regulations is essential, as non-compliance can lead to fines or a shut-down of your baking business.

Create a Business Plan

The most successful businesses start with a solid plan. If you’ve never created a business plan, take a few online courses for budding entrepreneurs or talk to someone who has started their own business. A basic business plan should include a description of your product or service, a market analysis, sales strategy, and business structure. Use this as a template to guide you as you grow. You can also use a business plan to apply for loans and find investors.

Above all else, be sure you are passionate enough about your baking business to weather any setbacks. There will be highs and lows as you expand your business. The rewards can be amazing, but it may take some time to get there.

Types of Fondant and Continuous Fondant Machines

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Are you fond of fondant-covered cakes? This icing has gained incredible popularity because of its smooth finish and the possibilities it provides for decoration. Unlike marzipan and buttercream frosting, it is almost flavorless.

 

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There are different types of fondant, such as rolled, poured, and chocolate-based. These can be either homemade or commercially made with the help of continuous machines. Such machinery is primarily used by bakeries and confectionaries, which need to produce large quantities of fondant. The production sizes range from 1200 to 4000 lb.

We hope the information below will help you get familiar with the types of fondant and continuous machinery.

What is fondant?

It stands for a form of icing, which is used for coating cakes and baked goods. It’s important not to confuse this term with ‘fondue’, even though both words have the same word origin. Nevertheless, fondue in French has the meaning of melted cheese. Fondant is a popular choice of icing for sculpting and decoration of cakes, pastries, and cupcakes. Its texture is what makes it specific and unique.

In addition, this type of coating is capable of withstanding changes of temperature in a much better way than buttercream. Most importantly, it allows various opportunities for flavoring and coloring, which is why the largest part of bakers prefer it over other icing types. Fondant is available in multiple forms, such as rolled and poured. The rolled variant has a similar texture to clay, whereas the poured variant is gelatinous.

What it’s made of?

Regarding the ingredients, fondant is made of corn syrup, water, and sugar. If used for shaping and sculpting, glycerin or gelatin should be added. Also, it can be made melted marshmallows and powdered sugar, which is a less common method. Learn more about the ingredients, preparation, and uses of corn syrup.

Furthermore, regarding edibility, this coating is 100% edible, as it’s made of edible ingredients. Some individuals tend to remove it from cakes, as they don’t like the flavor or the texture, not because it’s not edible.

Types

As already mentioned, fondant comes in two main types, rolled and poured. For instance, the commercial rolled variant isn’t universal but varies across manufacturers. Nevertheless, in most cases, it’s made of oil, sugar, glycerin, corn syrup, and gelatin or stabilizing gums. Once bought from a store, the content can be easily rolled. It’s easily sliceable and has a matte finish. Different oils and extracts can be added to this icing in order to become flavored.

Moreover, rolled fondant can be colored and stored for months at room temperature if placed in an airtight container. Nevertheless, recipes differ across makers, meaning buyers will probably try various brands before choosing the best one.

Another popular variant is the chocolate-based rolled fondant, which has the same ingredients as the traditional one, plus dark or white chocolate. It can be commercial or homemade. There are various fondant machines used by bakeries, cereal companies, and confectioneries. They automate the procedure of making this icing, thus producing it in a large amount. Chocolate is responsible for adding flavor and elasticity to the icing.  

On the positive side, this coating tears and creases less than the traditional variant. Anyhow, regarding flavoring and coloring, only oil-based flavoring and candy colors can be used. Also, it’s considered to be more perishable.

In contrast, the poured variant is a more liquid form of coating, which is poured over cakes and baked goods to provide a smooth finish. There is a higher amount of liquid, thus making it suitable for filling pastries and candies. Once it’s poured, it takes some time to dry to avoid smudging.

What makes it better than buttercream?

The popularity of fondant has overshadowed royal icing and marzipan, but it still has one competitor left, known as buttercream. Buttercream frosting is prized for its creaminess and deliciousness, but it has its own set of disadvantages.

Given it melts easily, buttercream must be served at the right temperature. When baking cakes, they should be prepared closer to the date of consumption, as buttercream goes bad quickly. Nevertheless, in view of decoration, errors can be fixed more easily.

Perhaps the only similarity of fondant with buttercream is the possibility of getting colored. Otherwise, the former protects baked goods and cakes from spoiling by sealing their outside surface off. Consequently, cakes can be prepared days in advance, then stored in a refrigerator. The taste will still be yummy and fresh when taking them out of the fridge. Check this out for some ways for making buttercream frosting.

Regarding the temperature of serving, fondant should be served at room temperature. It doesn’t melt easily, meaning it provides more flexibility. Also, the possibilities for decorating are limitless with this icing, as all kinds of shapes can be formed out of it. However, fingerprints are incredibly visible on the surface and a bit tough to repair. Therefore, it isn’t the best choice for clumsy bakers.

What about continuous fondant machines?

This machinery is essential equipment in bakeries, confectioneries, and cereal companies worldwide. These are made from stainless steel and are known for their simple operation. They are low maintenance and fully automated. There are multiple production sizes to consider, up to 1200, 2400, and 4000 lb.

Models up to 1200 lb. have a capacity to produce 545 kg per hour. Those up to 2400 lb. produce up to 1090 kg an hour. Models up to 4000 lb. produce 1800 kg an hour. These machines are engineered to last, providing impeccable functionality, durability, and reliability. Such machinery relies on complex science to produce technically correct products and be user-friendly.

The applications of these machines include bakery icing RTU, confectionary crèmes, nougat, cereal frosting, as well as pure sugar, 80/20, and 90/10 fondant. They produce stable sugar crystal sizes between fourteen and sixteen microns.

A final note

Fondant has become a trend over the last decade, replacing a large number of other icings.

It’s flexible and easily customizable! 

Top 5 Baking Ideas and How To Transport Your Food In Style

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Baking is considered to be an art and a science, because it involves lots of measuring and chemistry as well as beautiful design-work. In this article, you’ll learn the top baking ideas to better equip you with the knowledge and skill!

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Also, you’ll learn how to transport your food in style whenever you’re planning a picnic or attending an out-of-town family vacation. You can find the best food transport items at www.cooler-bag.com.au.

Top Baking Ideas

It’s easy to make a mistake when it comes to your baking recipes, and pointless to even try without a few good tips. If you do not make the right choices when it comes to your recipe preparation, you may end up with the right ingredients in an undercooked cake. Take a look at the following baking tips and ideas:

Check The Temperature

The first thing that you want to do is check on the temperature of the oven. Make sure that you you wear mitts whenever you use the oven. If you are using a cast iron oven, it’s important to make sure that it’s not too hot when you’re baking. It may take longer to bake certain foods. It is also a good idea to add some drops of water to the baking pan while the oven is heating up.

Choose The Right Ingredients

When it comes to choosing which ingredients are best, it’s always a good idea to read the recipe. In general, you’ll want to use more natural ingredients when baking. For example, you don’t wnat to use anything processed.

Avoid Overcooking

Make sure to keep an eye on the time before you put the food in the oven and while it’s cooking. The last thing that you want is for it to burn..

Use Food Thermometer Properly

Keep in mind that while they work fine, it is best not to use the old “stick” kind of thermometer. Using a “smart” kind of thermometer will be much more accurate, and will ensure that you cook the food at the right temperature for the right amount of time.

Think Of Innovative And Creative Baking Ideas

Here are some of the most delicious and healthy foods you can bake:

  • Seafoods, like baked salmon, which is rich in omega fatty acids that are good for the heart.
  • Pasta, which is perfect for the kids and goes well with rich tomato sauce; feel free to experiment with herbs and spices in the sauce.
  • Baked goods, like cookies, for your young ones to munch and enjoy while watching TV.

How To Transport Food In Style

There are many people who don’t know where to begin with transporting their food in style. Most people have never thought to learn this secret before, and are eager to understand how to take care of their food while traveling. Some are under the misconception that it’s not worth their time to learn, since they don’t have to transport food often; however, you may find yourself bringing food to people much more when you’re aware the best ways to do so.

There are many advantages to using large containers like lunch boxes, coolers, ice chests and refrigerators. Take a look at the following benefits of cooler bags and food containers when transporting food in style: 

  1. First off, it gives you the advantage of easy storage for your food. 
  2. Nowadays, you can get containers perfect for outdoor gatherings like parties or picnics. There are very spacious containers available, designed for just this purpose. Many of these can hold a whole ton of food, and even store drinks as well. 
  3. Some people like to use large containers for travel, too. Nobody said they had to have just one use. 
  4. You shouldn’t underestimate small containers; no matter where you’re going, an easy-to-carry container with a sandwich and a drink is always so good to have.

Conclusion 

Baking can be very entertaining for people who are looking for something fun to do. You can find recipes online, and then all you really need to get started is a standard oven. Getting into baking will prove a fun family activity.

When it comes to transporting food in style, remember that there’s no such thing as too big or too small if you’re comfortable carrying it. Just make sure that it is large enough to hold your foods and beverages, and that you take the opportunity to share your new-found baking skills with all your friends and family.

How to Use Wine in Your Baking and Cooking

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If cooking is something you enjoy then you will want to read this. We’re going to talk about how to use wine in baking and cooking, and you’ll find some great ideas in the following article!

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Wine has, of course, been used by cooks for centuries. In ancient times water was generally unfit to drink, so wine and ale were brewed and drunk as naturally as water is now. It found its way into cooking very quickly, and there are many innovative ways you can incorporate wine into your meals.

Let’s be honest, the first cooks who put wine into dishes were experimenting, so why shouldn’t you do so! You might want to try adding it to a roast when it’s in the oven, or perhaps steeping or marinating meat in wine before you cook it, and these are just the start of the wide range of ways you can use wine when cooking. One question is this: do you cook with red or white? The answer is that both can be used in different dishes, so let’s see what we can tell you.

Cooking with Red Wine

Before we talk about what you can do with red wine, we should say that you might want to make your own wine, red, white or rose. There are many affordable wine making kits available and it is not expensive to buy, plus most of the ingredients are basic household goods. You can find all the kit for wine and beer making online or at a brewing shop, and there are many outlets as home brewing is a very popular pastime that is very satisfying.

So, what does red wine go with when cooking? A classic beef stew, of course! The thing is that as the dish cooks much of the alcohol will evaporate. What you are left with is the concentrated flavours of the wine itself, and this is a great way of adding flavour to a beef dish. Red is best with red meat dishes, so will lend itself to any lamb dish you want to try, and we recommend you look at Mediterranean recipes as there are barely any that do not use wine as an ingredient!

A merlot, cabernet or a pinto noir are all great cooking wines as they have the right flavours, and you’ll never taste a beef dinner as good as one cooked in red wine!

Cooking with White Wine

White wine is the wine of choice to cook with if your recipe says ‘add wine’. Only when red is specified should you cook with red. Don’t go for too sweet a white wine, but choose a dry or medium for added flavour. What can you cook with white wine? Many different dishes can be enhanced by adding wine, and a classic is to cook chicken with a white wine sauce. This brings out the full flavours and really adds something to chicken which can be quite bland sometimes.

White wine is used in Italian cooking in many pasta dishes too, and fish dishes go well with a nice white whine sauce also. In fact, very little can not be cooked with wine, so it’s worth searching for recipes to see what you can find. There’s a lot to be said for adding wine and learning how it changes the flavours of a dish, and once you try, you’ll be hooked.

If you’re making your own wine, you’ll have plenty to hand to cook with, and if not you’ll find there are many affordable options at your local store so start now, and have fun cooking with wine.

Simple Survival Techniques for Bakers in a Fast-Changing Industry

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The food industry has undergone mammoth changes this year. Between production limitations and new sanitizing protocols, many micro-bakery owners have been left feeling jolted!

 
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For this reason, it is now, more than ever before, essential for small business owners to arm themselves with the necessary strategies that can ensure their long-term survival even amidst global chaos. Even once the current obstacles the industry faced have been successfully navigated, it is almost impossible to predict when swift adaptation will once again be required. Thankfully, there are a number of basic survival skills that can help your bakery business thrive during and after turbulent times. 
 

Always prepare for the unexpected

 
If there is one thing 2020 has taught us, it is to always prepare for the unexpected. As a small business owner, one of the most valuable investments you can possibly make is in work compensation insurance. It will not only provide your baked goods store with vital financial protection but will also give your employees peace of mind knowing they will receive the required treatment if they get injured at work.  Additionally, it is important to formulate a ‘Plan B’ as a matter of urgency as there is simply no telling when disaster will strike. Ensure that your backup plan not only makes provision for alternative production and staffing solutions but also includes a contingency plan for marketing and new product development as well.
 

Finding new opportunities is vital

 
While many bakeries of all sizes were forced to close their doors indefinitely this year, others rose to the occasion with creative, out-of-the-box ideas that saw many businesses rise from the proverbial ashes. During a period where ‘business as usual’ ceased to exist, DIY baking and decorating kits skyrocketed in popularity. Delivery services also proved to be a saving grace for both baked goods outlets and their customers who could no longer casually venture to the store for a baked treat. Although stay-at-home restrictions have been eased, these new offerings proved to be so popular that they are now being offered on a permanent basis.  
 
 

Harness the benefits of technology

 
Technology, and the internet in particular, can provide a bakery with a much-needed boost during times when business is slow. If you can successfully leverage the power of social media you are bound to enjoy a noticeable increase in revenue. Whether you own a fairly large baking concern or are baking from home, remember that it is invaluable to keep your customers well-informed and feeling inspired. High-quality images of your products alongside ‘How To’ video tutorials and engaging copy can reignite the interest of existing customers while attracting new ones. While Facebook remains the most popular social media platform, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram can all be utilized with great success.
 
The food industry has faced many obstacles this year. Thankfully, a few basic survival skills will make it increasingly easy for bakers to continue to grow their businesses in an ever-changing industry.