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Baking is both a science and an art that requires patience and precision to get right. From mixing the ingredients to taking your bakes out of the oven, every step has to be done carefully to ensure the best results. For first-time bakers, navigating proper baking techniques can be a tricky endeavour — a tiny blunder can cause the confections to overcook, undercook or come out too dry or dense. Fret not, in this article, we’re here to share four baking mistakes to avoid that will help guarantee that your baked creations turn out just as you desire!

Learn more: The Recipe for the Perfect Chocolate Cake: Tips and Tricks

Overmixing the Batter

Apart from taste, texture also influences the dessert experience and here’s where proper mixing comes into play. Overmixing is a common baking mistake that can negatively impact the texture of your baked goods. This is especially prevalent with flour-based batters, increasing gluten development and leading to a dense and tough final product, rather than a light and fluffy one. Signs of overmixing include a sticky, thick batter and a shiny appearance instead of a smooth, soft consistency. To prevent this, mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Once the dry ingredients are moistened, it’s time to stop mixing.

Improper Ingredient Measurements

You’d be surprised by how small inaccuracies in ingredient measurements during baking can throw off the balance, resulting in issues like dense cakes, dry cookies or bland flavours. For instance, too much flour can make baked goods heavy and dry, while too little sugar can affect the sweetness and texture. It’s essential to use measuring cups and spoons for dry ingredients, levelling them off for precision. For even more accuracy, particularly with flour, using a kitchen scale ensures consistency and avoids common measurement errors.

Not Preheating the Oven

Not preheating the oven is a baking mistake that can significantly affect the rise and texture of your bakes. When you place batter or dough into a cold oven, it doesn’t get the initial blast of heat necessary for proper rising. The outcome? Unevenly cooked cakes, pastries or breads. The baking process also takes longer without preheating, leading to inconsistent textures and over-dried baked goods. As such, always preheat your oven to the exact temperature specified in the recipe before placing your creations in. A great baking tip for beginners is to start preheating while mixing and measuring ingredients to save time and have the oven at the right temperature just as you’re ready to bake!

Opening the Oven Door Too Often

After all that hard work of measuring and mixing ingredients, it’s understandable to want to check on your confections to ensure that they’re cooking well. However, opening the oven door too often can disrupt the baking process. Each time the door is opened, heat escapes, causing temperature fluctuations that can manifest in the form of undercooked centres, unevenly browned tops or deflated cakes that fail to rise properly. To prevent this baking mistake, resist the temptation to peek and only open the oven door when necessary, such as rotating pans halfway through baking for even heat distribution.

Baking, while rewarding, can also be time-consuming and full of potential pitfalls. If you’re unsure about avoiding baking mishaps and desire delicious treats for personal indulgence or an event, why not order from our cake shop instead? As a trusted halal cake shop in Singapore, Swee Heng Bakery guarantees high-quality products that will satisfy cravings and delight taste buds, making every dessert experience truly special. 

Contact us today for more information.