If you've ever had any trouble making Macarons, here is a quick list of hints and tips that may help you with your issues.
Macarons Tips
Read the recipe and weigh out all your ingredients as instructed.
Sift all your dry ingredients.
Ensure your mixing bowl is free from grease.
Whisk your egg whites using a hand whisk or stand mixer, you will not be able to incorporate the amount of air manually.
If the temperature is too warm, it will be hard to get the right consistency.
Temperature is...
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Hints, Tips and Tools (3 Viewers)
Baking tips, helpful hints, how to guides, decorating, tools & their uses...
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Focaccia is an oven-baked Italian bread that you can make into a sweet or savoury dish depending on what you put in it. So if it's something you're looking at baking, then here are some hints and tips to make sure you get the very best out of your bake.
Hints and Tips when making Focaccia
Focaccia is quite a wet dough and needs a lot of water to ensure it doesn't end up with a cake-like consistency.
You may wish to make it in a stand mixer.
It should be proved twice.
The first prove will...
If you're looking at making Brandy Snaps or Brandy Snap Baskets, here are some tips to help you out.
Brandy Snap Basket Tip
If making a brandy snap basket, place a layer of chocolate on the base between the basket and the filling; this acts as a barrier and will prevent the filling from melting the sugar in the snap and stop it from going soggy or disintegrating.
Brandy Snap Tips
You want the brandy snap to look like it has a lacy pattern going through it.
It has to have holes in it...
A cake ring is a tin that is made without a base.
What is a cake ring used for?
The cake ring is a multi-functional tin that allows you to shape, refrigerate, or bake perfectly circular desserts. They are particularly great for holding soft ingredients and can be used when making desserts, tarts, mousse cakes and ice cream cakes.
If you are inspired to make this old school staple, then be sure to read the below advice and tips to ensure you get the best possible bake!
Advice & Tips when making a Malt Loaf
Ensure that you mix the ingredients properly and there are no flour pockets; if you don't, you will have white flour pockets throughout the bake.
Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this creates gluten, causing the loaf to be chewy and tough.
If you underbake the loaf, it will sink in the middle.
If you...
Whether you call them cocktail sticks or toothpicks, there is no doubt that these little 'picks' come in handy for all sorts of culinary delights! You'll also be pleased to know that not only are they great for cheese and pineapple, but they're also a great bakers tool too.
If you want something less invasive than a skewer to test your bakes, then these little sticks will allow you to check if your baked goods are done without damaging the overall effect.
Simply insert the stick into the...
When making whipped cream, be sure to make all the ingredients and utensils as COLD as possible, as this assists fabulously with the whipping process!
By that, I mean place the beaters from your electric whisk and the glass bowl into the fridge about 20-30 minutes before use.
Note: The cream will expand/double in size when whipped thoroughly, so ensure that the bowl you are using is big enough to accommodate the volume of cream. Icing sugar may also be added to the cream for a little...
I've put together some hints and tips on making paint with Gold Lustre, and some do's, don'ts and possible outcomes when making edible paint.
What alcoholic products can I use to make edible paint?
You can make edible paint using Vodka, Rejuvenator Spirit or Vanilla/Lemon Extract, as they are all alcohol-based.
The lemon extract also contains oils that mix well with the dust, helping it flow/paint better.
Please note that the Vanilla or Lemon Extract may leave a residual taste on your...
If you haven't made Cakesicles before and are thinking of having a go at them, then here are a few handy tips to help you out.
Cakesicles Tips
Wipe your moulds out beforehand with vodka/alcohol; this will remove any residue or watermarks that are in your lolly moulds and may even make them a little shinier.
Ensure you cover all the surface of the mould, especially near the lolly stick, and make sure the layer is thick enough so that it doesn't break.
Less is more, so don't overfill them...
I'm so excited to announce that my new book 99 Baking and Decorating Tips by Angie Fairbrother is now available on Amazon in both Kindle and Paperback format. (Cue happy dance!)
I've wanted to write a book for a long time and created this one to help and assist those of you who need a little go-to guide once in a while.
It's great for kids who are interested in baking, it's helpful to those of you that have an idea of what you're doing, and there is even stuff in there to help those...
How do you get rid of the big chunks of butter and flour in your scone mix?
An easy way to remove the big chunks of butter and flour that have clumped together in your scone mix is to shake the bowl. The larger pieces rise to the top when you shake it making it easier for you to find. Once they appear, rub them into between your thumb and fingertips to turn them back into smaller breadcrumb pieces.
A hard bristle brush can be picked up from any store relatively cheaply, once washed and dried properly it can be used to make texture on your icing fondant.
For example:
1. Indent green icing fondant to make grass strokes.
2. Dig into a light brown icing fondant to create sand grains.
3. Or press into any colour of your choosing to add a small pattern.
Yep, we've all done it, yes you know that fight with the cling film when you can't find the edge of it, or it's ravelled itself around the tube, and you spend ages picking at it or in the end, you get a sheet of it, and you have to waft it about, so it doesn't wrinkle!
Well, my lovelies, have no fear, as there is now a straightforward yet effective way of storing your cling film, and all you'll need is your freezer!
You see, by storing the film in the freezer, the coldness alters the...
If you don't have a cake template for the shape you need, then here's a tip on how to make your own.
All you need to do is draw or trace the shape onto a clean piece of cardboard and then cut it out with a pair of scissors. Once you have the correct sized shape, place the template on your cake and cut around it carefully with a knife. If you don't have pieces of card, you could always use baking paper or drawing paper as an alternative.
You can make triangles, waves, hearts, animal...
Most people will have a roll of kitchen towel in their kitchen, so you'll be pleased to know that not only will it wipe up your messes it can also come in handy for a quick decorating idea too.
If you have a buttercream cake and would like a quick pattern design etched into it, then lightly press the kitchen roll into the cake when set. The design from the kitchen towel will transfer onto the buttercream, giving you an instant pattern.
If you wish you can leave it like that or enhance...
If you are using nuts in your recipe, then cast your eyes over these quick tips.
Chopped Nuts - The best way to chop nuts and give them a good texture is to cut them by hand with a large knife.
Flavour - Slowly pulsing them intermittently in the food processor releases the flavour.
Nut Paste - By placing your nuts on high speed in a food processor it releases the oils and creates a nut paste.
If you have ever had a problem with meringue, whether it be cracking, dense, or weeping. Here are a few tips that will help you perfect your pavlova and make a magnificent meringue.
Chewy Meringue
If you would like your meringue to be a little chewy, then try folding in a teaspoon of cornflour and a dash of white vinegar into your mixture before baking.
Egg Whites
Use egg whites at room temperature and mix them using a hand whisk or kitchen aid until the whites are thick and glossy...
If you want to keep the moisture in cinnamon rolls, then try the following.
Immediately after you have removed the rolls from the oven and transferred them to the counter, place a tea towel directly over the top of the tray or pan containing the rolls. The heat trapped will turn to steam, causing additional moisture to be re-absorbed into the rolls, thus making them fresher for longer.
I have put together a quick overview of some of the easiest and most straightforward tips that are worth checking out before your next bake. Here are five top tips to help you achieve Cake Baking Success!
Oven – I say this time and time again, and I’ll say it again always, always, always (do you get my point 😊 ) pre-heat the oven and bring it to the optimum temperature before putting your cake batter anywhere near it. Once the cake is in the oven, step away and do not be tempted to open...