The Science of Baking

Believe it or not, baking is science! Think about it. You have to measure everything precisely, and the more complicated the recipe, the more attention you have to pay to the instructions. One misstep and you suddenly will have a mound of goo instead of a delicious cake.

The good news is that anybody can learn how to bake if they’re patient and willing to learn. All they have to do is follow the instructions left behind by others and master a few basic skills. Here are some essential tips to learn.

Measure Twice

There’s a saying in the construction industry: measure twice, cut once. That rule can also apply to baking, as the measurements matter. Too much of a single ingredient can throw off the entire recipe.

You should consider buying a few kitchen essentials to get the best measurements. The first is a good set of measuring cups and spoons. Paying a little more will help ensure you’ve purchased an accurate set. Next, consider purchasing a kitchen scale. More precise recipes (like many sourdough bread recipes) will call for the baker to measure via scales.

Be Aware of Temperatures

When you’re in a rush, it might be tempting to skip the part of the step that says, “Use room-temperature eggs.” However, this is a mistake. The recipe writer included that step for a reason. Usually, calling for room-temperature items is because they blend more easily and evenly, which results in a better texture.

Another example is the temperature of butter. When it comes to making pie crusts or pastries, the temperature of the butter is critical. If it is too warm (and therefore soft), the butter will leak out of your pastry, producing subpar quality (at best).

Please read the entire recipe before you begin baking. This way, you can remove items from the fridge as needed so they have time to warm up. Likewise, be sure to follow any specific instructions regarding the butter temperature.

Preheating Is Key

If the recipe calls for preheating the oven, do it. You want the oven to reach the desired temperature before putting your bakes in, as this will provide the optimal temperature the whole way through. Changing the temperature (such as letting the oven reach full temperature with the items inside) can result in burning or uneven bakes.

Overmixing is a Thing

It may be hard to believe, but you can overmix a recipe. Mixing is essential to any baking recipe, as one needs to incorporate the ingredients accordingly. However, overmixing a batter can result in denser baked goods. This is because overmixing can contribute to the creation of gluten strands, which will toughen up the texture of the dough.

Be Cautious With Substitutions

While we all like to make substitutions in our baking, be careful. Any alteration to the recipe will change its very nature. It’s like swapping out an ingredient during a chemistry experiment—you wouldn’t do that blindly and expect optimal results!

If substitutions are necessary, be sure to research what you’re doing. Look up a guide on proper proportions for this replacement. Additionally, accept that there is still a risk that the bake won’t turn out as desired.

Recipes Don’t Double

It may seem reasonable to double a recipe when you need more, but this is a mistake. Recipes don’t scale as expected, so doubling one will not produce twice the result—it’ll just make a mess.

Suppose you need more of a recipe; either research how to increase the proportions accordingly - or make multiple batches. While this may be annoying and take longer, it will produce the best results.