Baking: tips & tricks

I have clearly passed on my love for baking, as Grace is always quick to lick the mixing bowl and spoon. Together we really enjoy baking cookies, like these cookie cutters or thumbs up cheese cookies. Feel free to rally the kids to lend a hand, it's pure fun for young and old. Okay, the flour will probably be flying around the kitchen... But that enthusiastic look in their eyes when they admire the result, nothing can compare to that!

Baking may seem challenging, but you can learn it. Do you want to surprise your friends with a delicious cake? Just have fun and don't set the bar too high... It will definitely be tasty! Add your own twist to it, they will never forget something like that. So tie on that apron, knead the dough with your hands, and sniff the aromas. Baking is a better mindfulness exercise than yoga, haha!

From sweet to savory baking recipes, you'll find something for everyone here! The classics from grandma, such as apple pie, pancakes, waffles, doughnuts, and apple fritters remain popular. But surprising dishes are also appreciated. How about these herb pancakes and green waffles with salmon?

Is baking soda the same as baking powder?

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. As soon as it comes into contact with an acidic liquid, such as milk, oil, or lemon juice, your batter will rise. Baking powder is already a combination of sodium bicarbonate and acid. When using baking soda, it's best to get your dough into the oven as quickly as possible. I advise against replacing one with the other. Follow the baking recipe!

When to use self-rising flour?

Self-rising flour also contains baking powder, unlike regular flour. Do you want to make pancakes or cake? Then self-rising flour will make the batter rise. When baking bread, this is not the case: in that case, you add yeast to your dough. Regular flour is used for liquid preparations, think of béchamel sauce. No self-rising flour at home? Combine regular flour with some baking powder!

What is the difference between fresh and dry yeast?

Dry yeast or instant yeast can be stored longer than fresh yeast and does not need to be dissolved first. You can easily replace one with the other. The ratio is one to three: 1 packet of 7 grams of dried or instant yeast can be replaced by 21 grams of fresh yeast.

Can you bake in the Airfryer?

Yes, indeed! Besides fries, you can also easily bake cakes or sheet cakes in the Airfryer with the extra accessories (cake pan, pizza pan, and silicone mat). You can also use baking paper, just like in a regular oven. Everything bakes faster in the Airfryer, so it's best to bake for a shorter time and at a lower temperature. Be sure to test with a skewer or knife to see if the dough is well baked. Be sure to try my recipe for this delicious marble cake with pumpkin and chocolate and this vegetable pie with mustard and tzatziki-burrata.

How to replace an egg?

You can make a 'flax egg' based on chia and flaxseed: Mix a tablespoon of flaxseed with a tablespoon of water, let it sit until it becomes gelatinous. This mainly provides binding in baked goods. Applesauce or mashed banana can also be used for this. For lightness when rising dough: use baking powder, baking soda, or a mixture of plant-based milk with apple cider vinegar. Aquafaba or the liquid from chickpeas is a vegan alternative for egg whites.

Can you make a recipe vegan?

Yes! Replace milk with a plant-based variant such as oat, almond, or soy milk. Butter can be replaced with plant-based margarine, applesauce, or mashed banana. Honey is not vegan; instead, I often use agave as a sweetener. Agar agar is a plant-based gelling agent, an ideal alternative to gelatin. Make your baking recipe extra creamy with coconut or cashew cream! Also, check out my vegan baking recipes: Vegan gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and vegan banana cream pie

How do you make crème au beurre?