Bake! Love! Share! TOP TIPS FOR DB BAKERS
- Around DB
- Jul 2, 2021
- 3 min read
Looking to compete in this yearās DB Baking Competition? Hereās how to bake like a pro
The deadline for this yearās DB Kitchen Baking Competition is July 15, with local bakers challenged to share their best bake sale recipes with the community for an online vote. Baking experts Agnes Chin of Complete Deelite and Lan Hee Hong of Flour have some timely advice for all those looking to take part.
KNOW YOUR OVEN
First off, both bakers advise that you need to know your oven. āEvery oven has a āpersonality,āā Agnes says. āMake sure that the temperature shown on your dial is accurate. If youāre unsure, use an oven thermometer to check. Cakes need to be baked at the exact temperature stated in the recipe.ā
And speaking of the recipe, you need to follow it to the letter. āEven if youāre making something simple, read the recipe from start to finish at least once before you begin,ā opens Lan.
Itās important to realise that every ingredient in a baking recipe has a purpose, whether it is to enhance the flavour, the texture, or the structure. āUse the ingredients the recipe calls for as these ingredients play a specific role in the science of the bake,ā Lan advises. āIf you need to substitute an ingredient, make sure you do the research first as it can alter the results.ā
PREPARATION IS KEY
In baking, too many factors play into the success rate, so itās important to proceed calmly and methodically. āGather your tools and have all your ingredients at hand before you begin,ā says Lan. āMeasuring the ingredients prior to mixing will result in fewer mistakes.ā
The most accurate way to measure wet or dry ingredients is by using a kitchen scale. This may mean that you have to convert cup measurements to grams but itās worth the effort.
āIf you are working in cups, wet ingredients (like milk and oil) should be measured in measuring cups devoted to liquids that have a handle and spout,ā says Lan. āDry ingredients should be measured in the smaller individual cups. When measuring dry ingredients (like flour and sugar), use a spoon to scoop the ingredient into the cup so it is overflowing, then with a straight edge sweep across the top to even it out.ā
READY! SET! BAKE!
Unless the recipe states otherwise, have all ingredients at room temperature before mixing. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen, it might take 30 minutes to an hour for the ingredients to reach room temperature. If butter keeps its shape and is easy to cut through with just a little resistance, then that is a good level of āsoftness.ā Place eggs in warm water to bring them to room temperature ā this way they will whisk well.
āBe sure too that all the ingredients are fresh, including the baking powder or soda,ā Agnes advises.
Next step, preheat the oven. āAlways switch your oven on well before youāre ready to bake,ā says Agnes. āUse the right pan size for your mix, and be sure to grease and line it with parchment paper, or use a non-stick, easy-bake spray. Place the pan right in the middle of the oven, unless the recipe says otherwise.ā
Finally, once your bake is in the oven, set a timer so you donāt forget about it. āDonāt assume, however, that the bake time in your recipe is set in stone,ā says Lan. āA good approach is to set the timer for the minimum bake time suggested in the recipe and then check the bake at that point for signs of readiness ā if a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, your work is done!ā
COMPLETE DEELITE
specialises in cakes, cupcakes and cookies to order. Cake decorating and baking classes are offered, and you can also shop online for high-end bakeware. Visit
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FLOUR
creates modern and sophisticated cakes for special occasions. Baking classes for children and adults, either one-on-one or in groups, are also provided. Visit
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