Don’t rush the process.
It’s always a good time to improve your holiday baking skills, especially during the season with plenty of gatherings and treats. With so much to do and so little time, it’s easy to make mistakes in the kitchen.
To help bakers navigate common holiday baking challenges, Domino Sugar has shared expert tips to ensure treats turn out just right. These are the top baking challenges and how to overcome them, according to the sugar brand.
1. Rushing the dough
Baking takes time, and rushing through it can affect your results. Domino Sugar recommends “enjoying the baking process” and “avoiding stress over perfection,” as each baking experience is a chance to learn and improve.
2. Substituting ingredients
Swapping ingredients can ruin a recipe. Domino Sugar says “baking is a science,” with each ingredient having a specific role. For example, using cake flour instead of all-purpose flour can make cookies too soft. Following the recipe ensures the right texture and taste.
3. Skipping recipe preparation
Reading the recipe before starting is important. It helps understand the ingredients and steps, avoiding mistakes. Domino Sugar suggests reviewing the recipe to reduce stress and improve the baking experience.
4. Inaccurate measurement
For Domino Sugar, accurate measurement is “essential in baking.” The sugar brand recommends weighing ingredients for precision or using dry measuring cups for flour and sugar, and liquid cups for liquids. This ensures the right texture and flavor.
5. Incorrect ingredient temperature
Temperature is also important in baking. For example, butter at the right room temperature is key for the right texture. Domino Sugar advises against using cold or melted butter, as it can affect the texture.
6. Forgetting small ingredients
Skipping small but essential ingredients, like baking powder or salt, “can significantly impact your baking results.” Domino Sugar reminds bakers not to forget important ingredients.
7. Improper mixing
OvermixinRelying only on baking timeg or undermixing can ruin baked goods. Overmixing makes treats tough, while undermixing causes lumps. Domino Sugar recommends mixing ingredients gradually for the right consistency and even blending.
8. Overcrowding the cookie sheet
Domino Sugar recommends not overcrowding the baking sheet when baking cookies. Leaving space between each cookie ensures they bake evenly without merging.
9. Relying only on baking time
Baking times can vary due to oven differences. Domino Sugar suggests using visual and tactile cues, like the color of the crust or a toothpick test, to check if baked goods are done. These signs can be “more accurate” than the timer.
10. Not allowing baked goods to cool
Cooling is an important step in baking that’s often overlooked. Storing baked goods while still hot can make them soggy. Domino Sugar recommends letting treats cool completely before storing them to keep their texture and flavor.