Baking Tips for Cakes, Icing and CookiesEighteen frugal and time saving tips for baking cakes and cookies.
Spaghetti Cake TesterI use a piece of uncooked spaghetti for a cake tester. It is clean, longer than a toothpick, and you're not as likely to burn your fingers.
Brush Frozen Pies with ButterBrush frozen pies with a little butter to eliminate dryness.
Baking without Spray Oil ProductsWhen greasing and flouring a pan for a cake (including a bundt pan) grease pan with shortening or butter. Try to avoid spray oil products. Instead of flour use powdered sugar.
Problem with Cakes?I want to know the tips about cakes. My problem is the volume of the cake is decreasing after the cake is removed from the oven and when it is cooled. Also the middle of the upper portion is not getting baked. Please reply or give suggestion.
Editor's Note: This was sent in from a reader in India
Testing Baking Powder FreshnessTo test freshness of baking powder, put 1 teaspoon in half a glass of hot water. If fresh, it will actively bubble in the water.
By Robin
Painting Cookies with ChildrenMake a basic cookie. Then take white frosting and place in microwave a few seconds to thin it. Divide into several bowls. Then add a drop or two of food coloring to make several colors of "paint". Give the children small paint brushes and let their imaginations run wild.
By Anna
Homemade Colored Sugar for CookiesMix granulated sugar in a bowl with food coloring to desired color, then spread out on a jelly roll pan and put into the oven at 200 degrees, keep checking and stirring around until dry. Store in spice jars. Rather cheap!
By Syd
Bar Cookies for the HolidaysTo simplify my baking I make a lot of bar cookies. I bought some extra pans at the thrift store, so now I can leave the cookies in the pans until I am ready to cut them and arrange the gift trays.
Koolaid Coloring for FrostingThe other day while making frosting for cookies I discovered I didn't have food coloring. I rummaged through the cupboard and couldn't find anything! So I used partial packets of Koolaid to color the white frosting.
Cooking Cake for Two?I'm have a quandry about baking a cake for two. My thoughts are to down size the 8 in pan as to cut the cake in half. Is there anywhere i can find a 4 in pan for round cakes? giggle--I keep thinking of my old easy bake oven and wish i had those pans now! My children are all grown up and I only want a round cake miniaturized for two! If anyone knows a place where I can purchase mini cooking pans, i would surely appreciate it. Kate
Replacement for Airbake PansDo you love to bake, but hate the cost of the Airbake pans? I know I do, but instead I buy the cheaper cookie sheets with the non-stick finish and stack them on top of one another. It prevents scorching, burning and bakes cookies beautifully but for a fraction of the cost of one pan!
By Michelle
Frosting a Bundt CakeI rarely bake 2-layer cakes anymore as it is so much easier to just use a bundt pan. However, I found it a pain in the neck to try to frost them so decided to try using a tub of ready to spread frosting as a glaze.
Oven Rack Height When Baking?After all these years I wondered if I am bakig my cookies on the right oven height. I have been using the 2nd notch from the bottom and today tried the 1st notch on the bottom. I know some recipes call for using the middle rack. I never have known if the top notch was for broiling or if the 2nd from the top was for broiling. Anyone know?
Kittie1
Brown for MultiGrain Bread?How can I make brown for my multi grain bread besides using molasses for a sweetening. I don't know what else "natural" that I can use. Coffee, Cocoa - will the flavor be too overpowering?
Stoneware Pizza Pan For CookiesFor even cookie baking, virtually never a burnt cookie and non-stick lift, use a stoneware pizza pan. Grease the pan before each use with a little cooking oil and your cookies, rolls, pizza, etc. will never stick. Everything I make on stoneware comes out just the way I hoped it would.
Replacement Airbake Tops?Does anyone know where I can buy replacements for my broken airbake tops?
Using Chocolate Pudding Mix For Cookies?With double coupons a couple years ago, I bought for next to nothing, about 12 chocolate pudding mixes, the cooked kind, not the instant. Does anyone have a recipe for using a cooked pudding mix in a cookie dough? Nothing comes up under google. I would like to use these up but do not want to make that much pudding.
Flaky Pie CrustIf you would like nicer, flakier pie crusts,l just try substituting 1 tsp. cold lemon juice instead of the 1 tsp. cold water.
When Baking, Invest In The Right Tools For The JobThe right tools make all the difference when baking and cooking. I saved for years to acquire the very best kitchen tools I could find, especially for the "luxury" tools that I now consider essentials, such as different scoops for cookies, meatballs, etc.
Pampered Chef Baking StonesPampered Chef makes the most wonderful baking stones. Trust me. I've thrown out all my baking sheets. No more hard-on-the-bottom biscuits! The one tip I would give is never put a really hard frozen item on them to bake as this will break them. Allow just a little thawing time before baking pizza.
Pressing Cracker Type CrustsWhen making a cracker or cookie type crust for desserts, try sliding your hand into a plastic storage type bag and pressing the crust into the pan. Makes a lot less mess.
Race Car CakeI made a 9 x 13 cake for the base of the car and made a 8x8 cake for the roof and windows. After cutting the top of the smaller cake at an angle, I centered it on top of the bigger cake, then decorated it using a toy race car as a model. In mine, I used Oreo cookies for wheels.
Butterfly Birthday CakeThis cake is simple and delicious! A crowd (especially little ones) favorite. You will need:
Treasure Chest Birthday CakeThis was a huge hit at my son's Luau party. And it was super easy to make. You will need:
Whipped Cream IcingUse real whipped cream for icing. Just whip it up and add flavoring at the end for a tasty treat. I personally like to use vanilla, almond extract, or Bailey's cream liquor (for adults only).
Pillow Case Pastry ClothA pillow case makes a great pastry cloth! Fold up and save in your flour can until needed again. It helps for rolling pie crusts.
Before Using BeatersSpray beaters with Pam or nonstick spray before mixing cake batter for easy cleanup.
Use a Coffee Filter For Dry IngredientsUse coffee filters to hold dry ingredients when you are baking. You can get everything ready and it doesn't take your entire countertop. There aren't extra bowls to wash! You just throw the filters away.
Preventing Crust From Browning on a White Cake?Maybe some of you bakers can answer my question. I have baked wedding cakes for many years, but I have always wondered if there's a way to keep outside crust from browning on a white cake. If you lined the pan with waxed paper, would this prevent it? Store bought cakes have no brown crust so there must be a secret to this.
Icing Beautiful Cakes - Scoobie CakeTo ice beautiful cakes like this by yourself, after cooling completely, and removing from pan, freeze the cake. Then when you're ready to frost it, remove from freezer and decorate, it is much simpler that way!
Baking With Baby Formula?I have one can of baby formula. At $30 a can I would hate to throw it out. Any one have any good recipes for cookies or cake to make using formula?
Getting More from a Cake MixI remember reading somewhere that you can add some extra flour to a cake mix to get enough batter for an extra layer. The mix already has enough sugar, flavoring, etc, to support it. Does anyone know how much flour or additional liquid to add?
Hello Kitty CakeMy daughter said to me "you're the best mom in the whole world!"
Elmo Cake and TipsThis is an Elmo Cake with the Buttercream icing tip. I recently made a cake for a birthay party of 40 people or a friend. The theme was Elmo. Rather than make 2 Elmo cakes, I decided to make a big sheet cake and make Elmo as 3-D on top of the cake. It was a yellow cake with buttercream icing.
Measuring Brown SugarWhen preparing a recipe and it calls for "brown sugar" whether it be "light brown" or "dark brown", just remember you'll need to pack it in your measuring cup or your recipe will not turn out as it's supposed to...
Baking Troubleshooting?Can you tell me what am I doing wrong? When I cook biscuits, muffins, cookies etc. they are either perfect on top and bottom but uncooked im the middle, or too brown on the bottom and uncooked in the middle and slightly uncooked on the top? I've adjusted racks, etc but still get same results.
Running Short on Frosting?If you are short on frosting for your layer cakes, just fill in the layers with jam, jelly or marmalade. Tastes great...
The Best Apples for Baking?What are the best kind of apples for baked goods? Not sure if I should just ask Canadians this (lol) as the USA might have different kinds of apples there. There are just so many different kinds in the grocery stores now a days. Would love everyone's input on this.
Doubling a Baking Recipe?I have a recipe for a loaf cake, using raisins, brown sugar, etc. It gives the ingredients for 1 loaf, I want to make 2 loaves but I am not sure if it would come out right if I doubled everything in the recipe.
Mini-Muffin Paper Cups?I am looking for Mini-Muffin paper cups that fit the mini muffin tins for minature cheesecakes. The only ones I can find are the regular or minature (very small) paper cups. Any help would be appreciated.
Cake With Too Much Brown Sugar?I made a mistake and added 2 cups of brown sugar to a loaf cake recipe. it should have been only 1 cup. The cake was a Poor Man's Cake, made with raisins, shortening, flour and spices, etc. I gave it as a gift (not realizing the mistake until later). Will extra brown sugar change the consistency or change the cake in any way, other than just making it sweeter?
Silky Looking CakesProfessionally decorated cakes always seem to have a molten, silky look. To achieve this look at home, frost as usual and then use a hair dryer to "blow-dry" the frosted surfaces (on low) until it looks right.
Baking Cupcakes on More Than One Rack?In a conventional home oven, how do I bake 8 cakes at a time (4 on top, 4 on bottom). Do I swap racks in the middle of the bake or do I just add more time?
Making a Slanted Cake?Do you have instructions on how to make a slanted cake? I have done a few regular looking cakes but would like to try the slanted kind.
What's A Cookie Cost?Do you wonder if it is cost effective for you to purchase that $4 bag of cookies or to make your own? While there may just be a good amount of savings in making your own desserts and snacks you should take into consider the time factor. But, if you can squeeze in 20 minutes here and there, everyone will win with great tasting and less expensive cookies for their snacks.
Putting Chocolate Curls on CakesAlmost any cake or pudding looks great garnished with dark or white chocolate curls. Simply use a paring knife to slice the curls off of a chunk of chocolate that has been cooled in the fridge in a while.
My Cakes Aren't Rising?I've been making Miracle Whip cake for over 40 years now, and it has always risen to at least the top of the pan, but the last couple of times I made it, it only raised about half way up the pan. Does anyone know what the problem could be?
Making Moist CakesTo make a moist cake use pudding in your recipe or use low fat milk.
Marzipan GarnishMarzipan is not just used for cake decorating. You can buy premade sheets of marzipan and use them the same way you would use modeling clay to make any shape you want. Marzipan looks great garnishing any kind of cake or cookie.
Keeping a Pie Crust from Shrinking?I read somewhere that I could fill a pie shell with beans using parchment paper to stop it from shrinking. I do not have any parchment paper. Is there any other method I can use? Pricking the shell and using cold pastry still allows the shell to shrink.
Pyrex Bakeware in Different Shapes?Does anyone know whether or not you can buy Pyrex or other glass bakewear in shapes like hearts? My favorite recipe is best baked in glassware rather than metal, but I need a shape other than square or rectangle.
Using Dry Milk for BakingUsing Dry Milk for Baking. Use dry milk for baking, even if you don't like to drink it. It's cheaper than buying whole milk. . .
Baking With Silicon BakewareSince baking with the silicon bakeware, I have noticed that the bottoms of my banana breads are not quite done. . .
Watch for Bake SalesWatch for Bake Sales. If for some reason you don't have time to bake your special event or holiday treats. Watch your newspaper for bake sales in your area and help out the organization that's having the bake sale. . .
Making Low-fat Christmas Cookies?Making Low-fat Christmas Cookies Request. Last year I made all my Christmas cookies trying to make low fat and sugar free. I didn't use any oil. . .
Soaking A Romertopf Clay Covered Casserole?My mother used to make the most delicious meals with a large Romertopf clay covered casserole. I've had it in a cabinet taking up a lot of space for years and not used it, because this method requires soaking for at least an hour and feel that the kitchen sink is not sanitary enough.
Baking With Jelly Beans?Can I bake with jelly beans or how can I use them in cooking?
My Cinnamon Rolls Are Too Dry?My Cinnamon Rolls Are Too Dry. What does it mean when my cinnamon rolls turn out dry?
Easy Photo Cake TipWhen you are decorating a special cake and would like to put a picture on it, just laminate the picture and frost around it! This will make any cake extra special.
Delicate Textured Cookie?What is the secret to getting a delicate textured cookie?
Use A Ladle To Prevent OverflowWhen making cupcakes, I pour the batter from the mixing bowl directly into the cupcake pans. I use a ladle to stop the flow between each cupcake.
Add Coffee to Chocolate Cake MixWhen making a chocolate boxed cake mix, use brewed coffee as half the liquid required. It will give your cake a much richer taste.
What is a Bundt Pan?Please, can anyone tell me EXACTLY what a bundt pan is? I find many recipes using this item but I don't know what it is. Thanks.
Pirate Theme Birthday Cake?I want to know how to make a cake that is easy for a pirate theme birthday party. It would be great if you could send a picture with it also.
Lime Green Wedding Cake with Fresh FlowersJust wanted to share a picture of my daughter's wedding cake. I really was concerned about the lime-green color, but it turned out very pretty.
Ratio Of Flour To Sugar In Cakes?Does anyone know what the minimal ratio of flour to sugar is in a cake or banana bread? I don't like these to be too sweet, but I know that sugar serves a function so I can't reduce it too much.
Teddy Bear CakeHere's a Teddy Bear Cake I made and decorated for my Grandaughter Amy.
"The Punisher" Birthday CakeFinding the right cake for a 16th birthday party for my son was impossible. So I browsed websites my son likes, found "The Punisher" picture to look at while forming, decorating his cake.
How to Know When a Cake is DoneWhen baking cakes, to test for doneness, I insert the blade of a paring knife. If it comes out all gooey with wet dough on it, I know it needs to bake for a few minutes longer. If the knife blade comes out as clean as it was when I inserted it, then I know the cake is done.
Basketball Themed Birthday Cake?I am throwing my 11 year old son a birthday party and he wants a basketball theme cake. does anyone have any ideas what to make the basketball hoop out of? I am making the cake myself to save money. Thanks
Ball and Chain Wedding Shower CakeI made this for my daughter's wedding shower. The ball was a Styrofoam ball that I just covered in a #32 tip with black royal icing. I purchased some chain link at a local hardware store, it went over very well!
Graduation Cake Ideas?I need a unique idea for a college graduation cake. One idea I am considering is a graduation hat cake. My daughters graduation isn't till May of 08, but since I am planning on making and decorating the cake myself, I am planning to make some practice runs at it. Her degree is in higher math, so theres not a lot there that I can use for inspiration. Any ideas?
Packing Baked Goods for a Bake SaleWhen our church has a bake sale, I take several of the cardboard box bottoms (that cases of canned soda pop comes in from the store). If a bake sale customer buys quite a few plates of baked goodies, all can be placed in the cardboard box bottoms.
Advice for Decorating Cookies?I tried searching for my answer on Thrifty Fun and was unsuccessful. I have a question for our cookie decorators. I'm using royal icing to outline my cookies.
Icing a Cake to Look Like a Book?I want to ice a cake in fondant so it looks like a book and want to turn the icing back in the corner so it looks like the page of a book is turned back.
Extra Cupcakes for the KidsYou can have your cake and eat it too! My three small children used to be disappointed when we made cupcakes for bake sales or school events - all those yummy cupcakes and they couldn't have one!
Butter Cookies Not Spreading Out?I've made butter cookies for years but in the last few years sometimes they don't bake right. I use an oven thermometer and test my baking powder/soda. They seem to retract instead of spread out. On the same cookie sheet I'll have some that are fine. Any suggestions? I thought maybe the flour is old?
Keeping a Cutting Board from SlippingI knead my bread on a wooden cutting board, but the board was always slipping. I happened on the solution one day by chance.
Use Lemon Juice In GlazesIf you make a glaze, try using lemon juice instead of milk in the recipe. It is great on banana bread, pumpkin bread or just about anything you use a glaze on.
Do You Use Baking Powder With All Purpose Flour?When a recipe calls for flour, but does not say all-purpose or self-rising, do you have to add baking powder to the recipe when you're just using all-purpose flour?
Substitute Fruit Juice for Oil in BakingFor any baking recipe that calls for oil, use any fruit juice instead. The same amount that the oil should be. This is less fattening, healthier and makes for moister cakes, brownies, etc.
Cookies are Very Thin and Hard?When I bake cookies they turn out paper thin. The directions says drop by tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Mine stuck on the ungreased sheet. Then I greased the cookie sheet and they still turn out paper thin and hard as a rock.
Why Are My Cookies Running Together?What did I do wrong? What makes cookies run together when they are baking?
Cake is Moist in the Middle and Dry Around the Edges?Why is my cake moist in the middle but dry around the edges?
How Long Do I Cook a Cake in a Different Pan Than Instructed?I want to make a cake that calls for using 3 - 9 inch round pans. Baking is at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. I want to bake it in a 13x9x2 inch baking dish. How long does it need to bake?
Pretty In Pink Shower CakeThis is a photo of a Baby shower cake that I recently baked and decorated. I'd call it "Pretty in Pink", definitely for a baby girl. I sectioned it off in big blocks. some pink with white dots and some white with pink dots. It had a bib, a gift, a heart, baby booties, a bear and a butterfly.
What Kind Of Cake Icing Is Best In Warm Weather?What is the best icing for an outside wedding in warm weather?
Making Ladybug Antenna for a Cake?Any suggestions for making ladybug antenna using candy melts, for a cake? Thanks!
Decorating Ideas For A "Pizza" Cookie?I would like to make one of those large cookies that resemble a pizza. Any ideas on how to decorate it to look like a pizza? Not a decorator but I was thinking there must be some easy way to take pre-made candies and make them pizzish looking. I read I could take fruit roll ups and cut out little triangles for green peppers and thats as creative as I got.
Make Refrigerator Pie Crust Taste BetterI love the convenience of refrigerated pie crusts, but I must say, I do not like the flavor of the crust when I am making a dessert pie (as opposed to a quiche). So, before I put my pie in the oven I pour about 1 tablespoon of milk in a cup and add a dash of vanilla extract.
Nonfat Cookies and MuffinsWhen baking I like to leave out the oil, shorting and butter. Instead I add an equal amount of canned pumpkin, apple sauce, plum or prune baby food or put some canned unsweetened plums through the blender to puree them.
Why aren't my cakes flat?Does anyone know why cakes are not flat when baked?
Pool Theme Birthday Cake?I am making a birthday cake with a pool theme. On the top will be a pool (of course) with a beach ball and sour ring candy for a floaty and maybe a pool noodle. However, around the pool is giving me a bit of trouble.
Use an Oven Thermometer for Consistent ResultsFood cooking too fast on the outside and not getting done in the middle? Buy an oven thermometer and check the temperature. Mine was cooking too fast. I keep an oven thermometer in my oven now. Gas or electric oven temperatures can get off.
Cookie Exchange For Angel Tree PackagesThe holidays are fast approaching and I wanted to share a cookie "exchange" idea we used at our church last year.
The Perfect CookieI've had many friends and relatives ask me how I make my cookies so soft, when theirs all turn out rock hard. Laughing to myself, I explain to them how easy it is! All you need to do is cut (decrease) the recommended time for baking by 2-3 minutes AND set the cookie sheet(s) on cooling racks.
Add Chocolate Chips To Generic Brownie MixAny box mix of brownies can taste better when you add some inexpensive chocolate chips into the batter. I have bought generic chips at Krogers and Aldi and they both worked just fine! This makes the brownies richer, creamier and tastier. I add 1/2 bag to the mix.
Save Money By Baking Your Own BreadOne way to save quite a bit on food is to learn your way around baking yeast. You can find a whole pound of it for about $2.50 at little shops or places that sell in bulk and you use it a tablespoon at a time - it lasts for months in the refrigerator.
Decorate Holiday CupcakesI decorate cup cakes with cute little marshmallow holiday treats. I just make my own icing from powdered sugar (1 box), 1 cup Crisco, a few Tbsp. milk and 1 tsp vanilla flavoring.
Use A Cookie Scoop And Parchment Paper For CookiesSave yourself a lot of work by using a cookie scoop and parchment paper when baking cookies.
Using Candy Melts on a Cake?I would like to use the candy melts to cover a cake. What can I add to the melts to keep them from hardening so much? I need them to dry so they won't stick to your hands while eating the cake.
