Butter vs. Shortening in Cookies: Which Is Better?Skills
It's important to know which to use when.
10 Types of Sugar You Should Know (Plus How to Use Them)Skills
All sugar is not created equal.
The Only Types of Pumpkin I Choose for the Best Pumpkin PieSkills
Plus which varieties are best for savory cooking.
How to Freeze (and Thaw) Pumpkin Pie So It Tastes PerfectSkills
Save yourself some stress and make it ahead of time.
The "5-Minute Rule" I Always Follow Whenever I BakeSkills
Take it from a former professional baker.
5 Easy Ways To Prevent Soggy Pie CrustSkills
No soggy bottoms here.
The Best Way to Warm Up TortillasSkills
Never settle for room temp again.
Jul 16, 2024
How Much is a Gram of Sugar, Salt, or Butter?Skills
It's less than a teaspoon.
Jun 17, 2024
All the Different Types of Paprika — Plus How to Use ThemSkills
They each have their own distinct flavor.
May 17, 2024
Yes, You Really Can Make Your Own Brown Sugar at Home Skills
Brown sugar is the sticky, fragrant sweetener that adds moisture and flavor to so many of our favorite baked goods, from chocolate chip cookies to banana bread. But if you find yourself staring into an empty box, don’t fret — you’ve likely got everything you need to make brown sugar from scratch. So whether you need a cup or a pound, or light or dark, you’re just two ingredients away from it. Here’s how to make brown sugar at home.
Feb 15, 2024
Here's How to Tell When Homemade Bread Is DoneSkills
How can you tell if something is done if you can’t take a peek inside while it’s actually cooking? When it comes to bread, there are actually a few ways to make sure your lovely loaf is perfectly baked, every time! To see if your bread is done, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the loaf. (If you go at an angle and through the side or bottom, you can minimize the visual evidence!) Most breads are finished baking at about 190°.
Dec 18, 2023
What's the Difference Between Roasting and Baking?Skills
Roasting and baking are both common cooking methods. Perhaps you’ve baked chicken breasts, roasted a whole chicken or a mix of root vegetables, or at the very least enjoyed a slice of baked cake. But do you know the difference between them? These terms are used interchangeably quite often. What sets them apart? Are roasting and baking actually the same thing?
Oct 16, 2023
We Tried 6 Ways of Making Flaky Pie Crust and Found an Absolute WinnerSkills
Your Thanksgiving pie will thank you.
Nov 19, 2023
The One Easy Step That'll Help You Crimp Pie Crust Like a Pro BakerSkills
Crimping a pie crust is like putting on a piece of statement jewelry before you leave the house. It’s strictly decorative and won’t make your pie any tastier (or will it?), but looks oh-so nice for your pie presentation.There are, in fact, a few keys to knowing how to crimp pie crust like a professional.
Nov 13, 2023
The Real Difference Between Active Dry Yeast and Instant YeastSkills
If you enjoy making bread at home, especially when they come out of the oven perfectly risen, then you know how important working with yeast is. I’ve been baking and buying yeast for years, and the yeast choices in the baking aisle still get me confused. Here’s the thing, though: There is a difference between active dry yeast and instant yeast, and which one you use does make a difference in your recipe.
Nov 10, 2023
4 Signs Your Pumpkin Pie is Ready to Come Out of the OvenSkills
Give it a nice wiggle to see if it's ready to be served.
Nov 8, 2023
What’s Actually in Your Canned Pumpkin PurĂ©e?Skills
Don't worry, it is still delicious.
Oct 20, 2023
The One Step You Should Never Skip When Baking with Canned PumpkinSkills
Don't worry — it's easy.
Oct 9, 2023
The 5 Best Apples for BakingSkills
Ready to get baking with apples this fall? Pick one of these five varieties for the best results.
Oct 4, 2023
The 5 Best Apples for BakingSkills
Ready to get baking with apples this fall? Pick one of these five varieties for the best results.
Oct 4, 2023
This Surprising Pantry Ingredient Makes King Arthur’s Pie Crust 100x BetterSkills
This may look like your average graham cracker crust, but it's so much better.
Sep 28, 2023
This Is the Best Way to Keep Apples from BrowningSkills
It's way better than lemon water!
Sep 1, 2023
Here's the Difference Between Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream, and Cream of CoconutSkills
First things first: They're not always interchangeable!
Aug 27, 2023
How to Properly Freeze Eggplant Skills
The methods are super simple!
Aug 26, 2023
How To Bake Store-Bought Frozen Puff PastrySkills
Store-bought frozen puff pastry is a lifesaver any time of year, but especially as we move into the busy holiday season. With a package or two stashed in the freezer, I know a quick baked brie for visiting guests or plate of mini-quiche appetizers for a potluck is only a few steps away — and the empty, crumb-filled plates at the end of the night speak for themselves. If you’ve never used frozen puff pastry before, let me assure you that it couldn’t be easier.
Aug 23, 2023
How To Freeze Pizza DoughSkills
So, you’ve whipped up a batch of homemade pizza dough, and you’ve made a couple of spectacularly good homemade pizzas. But your household is small, and you don’t want to eat pizza for days. What can you do with all that leftover dough? Freeze it, of course! It’s simple as 1-2-3, and then you can have pizza on the spur of the moment next week. Here’s how to freeze pizza dough.
Aug 18, 2023
You Don’t Need a Dehydrator: 5 Fruits You Can Dry in the OvenSkills
If you see a lot of fruit dehydrating in your future, buying a food dehydrator makes sense. Using one is more energy-efficient than slowly baking fruit in a low oven, and the results are more consistent. But if you just want to make the occasional batch of crispy apple chips or intensely-flavored dried tomatoes, keep things simple and gadget-free: use your oven to make dried fruit!
Jul 25, 2023
Two Ways to Transfer Pie DoughSkills
With Fall being high time for pies and Thanksgiving getting closer, we thought we’d talk about pie crust. No, not about the ingredients (butter vs. shortening) or how to roll it out but rather how to get that floppy round of dough from your countertop to your baking dish. Here are two sensible options, illustrated in some great Flickr photos we found.
Jul 25, 2023
The Secret to an Uber-Spongy Cake Is … Ice WaterSkills
There might be some actual legit science behind why adding ice water to white cake is such a brilliant move.
Jul 14, 2023
How To Halve an Egg for BakingSkills
Halving a recipe can be a challenge for even the best bakers, and no ingredient has generated more questions on how to split in half than an egg. The problem is an egg has two distinct parts — a fat-rich yolk and a protein-rich white — and most baking recipes require a bit of both. It’s very simple; all you have to do is whisk before you can divide. Most baking recipes call for a large egg, which weighs approximately 1.75 ounces without the shell.
Jun 29, 2023
How To Use a Vanilla BeanSkills
Vanilla beans are magical. Not only do they look like fairy wands and have an aroma that always brings me to a standstill, but these beans have the ability to transform scoops of ice cream into childhood memories and dishes of crème brûlée into marriage proposals. Using them is easy; wait to scrape the seeds out of the vanilla pod until you’re ready to use them. They are definitely not to be squandered or taken for granted.
Jun 4, 2023
Heavy Cream, Whipping Cream, Half & Half, and Light Cream: What’s the Difference?Skills
There's a daunting number of cardboard pints and quarts of different cream varieties at the grocery store. Which is which?
May 15, 2023
3 Ways to Soften Butter Quickly and EasilySkills
Forgot to plan ahead? No problem.
May 4, 2023
Tip: Press Vintage Glassware onto Your Sugar CookiesSkills
So, you don’t own a cookie moldWell, unless you consider vintage glassware special equipment.The thing is, you can do this trick with a lot of everyday kitchenware. While vintage glasses are more likely to have pretty little patterns cut into the bottom, some new ones do, too. Country Living, where we read this tip, mentions that you can also use silverware or Jell-O molds to press a design into your cut-out dough before baking.
May 3, 2023
Frosting Cakes Is Easier with This $2 Household StapleSkills
Don’t have a cake scraper? Use this unexpected kitchen item to help get those sides super smooth.
Feb 15, 2023
The Foolproof Hack for Perfectly Even Crumb Crusts Skills
The secret to perfectly even graham cracker crusts? Check your kitchen cabinets.
Feb 15, 2023
This Viral Brownie Mix Hack Uses One Ingredient You Most Likely Already Have at HomeSkills
The result? Rich and chocolatey brownies made just for you.
Feb 14, 2023
What Is Seized Chocolate and How Do You Fix It?Skills
This is how you can fix it and prevent it in the future!
Feb 2, 2023
What’s the Difference Between Bleached and Unbleached Flour?Skills
The flour you choose affects your ultimate outcome. Learn how bleached versus unbleached flour makes a difference in baked goods like cookies, cakes, breads, and more.
Dec 7, 2022
This Is the Best Way to Crack an EggSkills
Spoiler alert: It's not on the lip of a bowl.
Dec 15, 2022
What’s the Difference Between White, Yellow, and Vanilla Cake?Skills
When you go to bake a chocolate cake, it’s pretty easy to find what you’re looking for, right? Sure, there are some that are flourless and fudgy, and others that are tender and fluffy, but they’re all labeled “chocolate.” The opposite end of the spectrum isn’t so simple. There’s a whole lot of terminology to describe what seems to be the same thing. But are white, yellow, and vanilla cake actually the same across the board? Not quite.
Dec 10, 2022
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making BrowniesSkills
If there’s one dessert I cannot resist, it’s a rich and fudgy chocolate brownie recipe. It’s hard not to love these timeless sweets. And while easy to make, there are a few tips that will ensure a stand-out batch every time. So before you get ready to bake your next batch, be sure you’re not making any of these common mistakes. Brownies fall into two delicious camps: fudgy and cakey.
Dec 10, 2022
What to Do When You’re Baking and Out of EggsSkills
No, you don't have to run out to the store.
Dec 10, 2022
The Right Way to Test Brownies with a ToothpickSkills
This is a game-changing tip!
Dec 10, 2022
The Best Way to Store Homemade CookiesSkills
Here's what you need to know as we head into cookie season.
Dec 9, 2022
How Do I Know If It’s Dead? And Other Sourdough Starter Questions, Answered
Sourdough for Beginners
The answers to all your burning bread-baking questions.
Dec 8, 2022
What Is Hominy and How Is It Used?Skills
A versatile ingredient, its unique flavors and consistency is great in soups, salads, and more.
Dec 6, 2022
A Guide to Food Coloring Types and How to Use ThemSkills
Food coloring comes out in full force around the holidays when it’s time to make colorful icings, candies, and other sweet confections. While liquid food coloring used to be the only option available for tinting foods, there are now many other choices, from gels to pastes to even powdered food coloring. Here’s a guide to the different types, how they can be used, and the pros and cons of each one! What it’s made out of: Synthetic colorings with a water base.
Dec 4, 2022
Melted, Cold, Room-Temperature: Here’s How Butter Temperature Affects CookiesSkills
Butter brings the flavor, but here's how it can bring crunch, chew, and more.
Dec 1, 2022
4 Rules for Successfully Swapping Honey for Sugar in Any Baked GoodsSkills
Remember these four easy rules.
Dec 3, 2022
5 Fun Alternatives to Graham Cracker CrustsSkills
My favorite part of a pie or tart, hands-down, is the crust. In fact, if there’s a double crust, I’m even happier. And while graham cracker pie crust is one of the easiest crusts to make, don’t forget that there is a whole world of other fun possibilities out there that are equally delicious. Pretty much any crunchy thing that’s cookie or cracker-like can work in as a pie crust. You just have to grind it up, mix it with some butter to hold it together, and press and bake.
Dec 3, 2022
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making ButtercreamSkills
While I certainly enjoy the cake portion of a slice of cake or a cupcake, I’m really in it for the buttercream frosting. That thick, sugary frosting brings the sweetest finishing touch to these desserts. There are a few different styles of buttercream, but no matter which one you make, be sure to avoid these mistakes.
Dec 3, 2022
Can I Freeze a Fully-Decorated Birthday Cake?Skills
Q: I want to make a birthday cake for a friend. Problem is, her birthday is not for two weeks, but I’m seeing her tomorrow.Is there a way to freeze a fully-decorated birthday cake so that it will thaw into something beautiful? Are there certain cake or icing recipes that work best (my friend loves carrot cake).Sent by CarolynEditor: Carolyn, the short answer is yes! Many cakes freeze very well even after being decorated.
Dec 2, 2022
What’s the Difference Between Fudgy, Chewy, and Cakey Brownies?Skills
They each bring something a little different to the table. Here's what sets them apart.
Dec 2, 2022
7 Recipes to Have on Hand When You've Broken a CakeSkills
Don't cry over broken cake.
Dec 2, 2022
7 Ingredients to Pair with Rhubarb (Beyond Strawberries)Skills
Its not all sweet!
Dec 1, 2022
Two Italian Brothers Slid into My DMs and Shared the Secret to the Best FocacciaSkills
Not to be dramatic, but the results were kind of mind-blowing.
Dec 1, 2022
8 Steps to Follow When Converting a Cake Recipe to CupcakesSkills
On Cupcake Project, I’ve converted every imaginable kind of cake to cupcakes. I’ve made angel food cupcakes, pound cake cupcakes, upside-down cake cupcakes, cheesecake cupcakes, and more! It’s not hard to take your favorite cake recipe and translate it into cupcakes. Here’s the process that I’ve developed over the years. Here are eight steps to get from favorite cake to perfect cupcake recipe.
Nov 30, 2022
Pie vs. Tart: What’s the Difference?Skills
Our Pie Bakeoff is in full swing (have you entered your best pie yet?) For the next few weeks we are running posts each day with different types of pie recipes, tips and inspiration, and soon we will begin posting entries from the contest.The question has been posed, May I enter the bakeoff with a tart? The answer is yes. While pies and tarts are two distinct things, they are close enough cousins that we will accept them both. A galette is another cousin who is invited to party.
Nov 30, 2022
This Simple Trick Will Guarantee a Perfect Pie Crust Every Single TimeSkills
Just like the professionals!
Nov 22, 2022
Don’t Have Espresso Powder? Try These Substitutes.Skills
Espresso powder and instant espresso provide nuanced flavors in rich, chocolatey baked goods. Learn the best swaps here.
Nov 17, 2022
7 Mistakes to Avoid When Freezing Baked Cookies or Cookie DoughSkills
Avoid these mistakes and you'll have holiday cookies to reach for all season long.
Nov 11, 2022
Tips for Making Cupcakes Ahead of Time?Skills
Q: My mom and I are driving from Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI next weekend to visit my grandpa for Father’s Day. A few other relatives are coming too. I am in charge of the celebratory dessert and was hoping to make cupcakes as they are festive and enable portion control (my grandpa is on a diet).The problem is, I need to be able to make the cupcakes two days ahead of time, then drive them 5 hours to my grandparent’s house.
Nov 14, 2022
The Simple Trick for Keeping Your Pie Crust from BurningSkills
No awkwardly cut foil strips required.
Nov 9, 2022