Dessert

Kitchen Hacks For Baking Like A Pro

Seasoned baker? No problem! Check out these Kitchen Hacks and Baking tips and tricks to transform your baking from beginner to pro in no time!

1. Bake A Box Cake Like Homemade
   Transform your boxed cake so it tastes like it is homemade. I learned this years ago, and let me say you truly won’t know you took a shortcut by starting with a box cake mix. You add in extra ingredients and you end up with a light, fluffy, and moist cake each and every time. I have 10 tips on how to make a box cake mix taste homemade.
2. Ripen Bananas In Oven
   Need some ripened bananas for a banana cake recipe? Take your banana and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and turn that oven on. Cook your bananas at 300 degrees for 30-40 minutes. They will leak a little as they cook, but it will give you that ripened banana taste. Allow to cool at least 20 minutes, before using for your recipe.
3. Room Temperature Eggs In Five Minutes
   Take a warm bowl of water and place your eggs in the water. Allow them to sit for around five minutes. Check and they should be brought down to a room temperature level and can be cracked and used in your baking recipe!
4. Make Your Own Brown Sugar
   Did you know you can make your own brown sugar in a pinch? Take 1 cup of granulated sugar and mix with 1 tablespoon of molasses. Mix away until the clumps go away, and then measure and use accordingly.
   Also, if you have brown sugar that is hard, just heat in the microwave for 15-second intervals until it softens up.
5. Line Those Baking Sheets
   Do you wonder why so many recipes say to line the pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil? If you want that crisp and clean edge on your baked goods like bars, brownies, or even cakes, lining really helps for that clean removal. Not to mention it is an easy cleanup.
6. How To Make Your Own Buttermilk
   Milk and vinegar are all you need to make homemade buttermilk. Take one tablespoon of vinegar (or fresh lemon juice) and add to a one-cup measuring cup. Then top with milk and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. This will begin to curdle, and then stir lightly and use in the recipe. This route is a thinner consistency, but it does work.
7. Soften Butter Fast
   I never remember to set the butter out and allow it to reach room temperature! If this is you, just measure out the butter you need, and dice it up. Place your butter on a plate or bowl, and heat it up in the microwave on a low heat setting for 5-8 seconds at a time. Check it each time, and as it begins to soften stop, and then use it in the recipe.
8. How To Make Your Own Piping Bag
   If you are wanting a piping bag but don’t have any, skip a trip to the store. Cut one of the corners, and insert whatever piping tip you want. Then take a sandwich bag, and place it in a tall cup. Pull the edges over the side of the cup, and spoon in your frosting or whatever you are using. It works like a charm and is so affordable.
9. Homemade Whipped Cream
   You can do this in your stand blender or even in a mason jar with a lid. Add in some heavy cream with a sprinkle of granulated sugar. Whip on high for a few minutes until you see it begin to form peaks. If you go the mason jar route, put ingredients in and shake away. This will take a bit longer but it will give you a homemade whipped cream!
10. Use Warm Water to Instantly Bring Eggs to Room Temp
    If you didn’t remember to take the eggs out an hour beforehand, add eggs to a  bowl of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes and you’ll have room temperature eggs in no time!

Head over to read one of my top kitchen tricks post next! How Many Cups in a Quart, Pint or Gallon! I even have a Kitchen Conversions Printable for you!