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Basic Baking Ingredients (1 Viewer)

If you've decided to take the plunge and have a go at making some baked goodies, then it's worth having a few essentials in before you start.

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Here is a list of some of the key ingredients you should have in your cupboard or fridge before baking:
  • Butter/Margarine
  • Caster Sugar/Granulated Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Flour & Baking Powder
  • Milk/Water/Juice/Oil - Liquids
  • Salt
Butter
This is the fat element of the bake and will give your goodies richness and oodles of flavour. Margarine can also be used as an alternative for some bakes but make sure it has a higher fat content like the buttery varieties or one that is labelled suitable for baking like Stork. Do not substitute margarine for butter when making cookies, as it has a higher water and oil content, and the cookies will just spread.

Caster Sugar
This is finely ground sugar and dissolves more quickly when creaming; it should be used for making light bakes or melt-in-the-mouth meringues; however, in the event you don't have any, you may substitute granulated sugar for it instead.

Eggs
Always use medium eggs unless otherwise stated and ALWAYS use them at room temperature; this allows for better aeration, making them lighter and fluffier.

Flour & Baking Powder
A lot of recipes call for self-raising flour, which makes your cakes and bakes rise; other recipes such as biscuit recipes require plain flour. (Plain flour can be converted into self-raising by adding baking powder to it). Also, see Converting Plain Flour to Self Raising.

Liquids
Milk, water, lemon juice or oil are all liquids that can sometimes be used in your baked goods. These products can be used to add flavour or moisture, to help bind the mixture together or used as a lighter, healthier ingredient option.

Salt
This is used to assist with flavour, colour and balancing out the sweetness. Also, see Why do we use Salt in Baking?

 
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