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Dessert and Baking Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
If you’re a baking enthusiast or someone who loves to create delicious desserts, you know that the process can sometimes be challenging. Baking is often thought of as an exact science, requiring specific ingredients and a step-by-step approach. However, with the right tips and tricks, even the most novice baker can create amazing treats. In this article, we’re going to share some dessert and baking hacks that will make your life in the kitchen that much easier. These hacks are simple, effective, and will have you whipping up delicious treats in no time.
Make your own frosting piping bag
If you’ve ever wanted to decorate a cake but didn’t have a piping bag, don’t worry! You can easily make your own with a Ziploc bag. Just grab a tall jar and place the open bag inside. Add your frosting, squeeze the top opening of the bag to make sure the frosting meets the corner, and cut off the end of the corner. Now you have a DIY piping bag to create beautiful borders or write messages on your cakes.
Use marshmallows for frosting
Making frosting from scratch can be a time-consuming process. If you’re looking for a quick and easy substitute, try using marshmallows. When your cupcakes are almost done, place a large marshmallow on top of each cupcake and put them back in the oven for a few minutes. The marshmallow will melt, giving your cupcakes a delicious and fluffy frosting-like texture.
Prevent cookie cutters from sticking
Cut-out sugar cookies are a popular treat, especially during the holidays. A common problem when making these cookies is that the cookie cutter tends to stick to the dough, resulting in deformed shapes. To prevent sticking, dip your cookie cutters in a bowl of flour before pressing them into the dough. This simple trick will ensure clean, well-defined shapes every time.
What to do if you don’t have enough eggs
Running out of eggs while baking can be frustrating, but there are several substitutes you can use. Unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas are popular egg substitutes that add moisture to recipes, especially cakes. You can use ¼ cup of either applesauce or banana puree to replace one egg. Yogurt or buttermilk also work well as egg substitutes in muffins and cakes. Use ¼ cup of yogurt or buttermilk to replace one egg. Surprisingly, sparkling water can also be used as a substitute because it adds moisture and acts as a leavening agent, similar to eggs.
Make DIY Cookie Cups
Eating ice cream out of a cookie bowl is a delightful experience. You can make your own cookie bowls at home with just a few simple steps. Roll out cookie dough on a floured surface and cut out a 5-inch circle. Turn a cupcake pan over, spray the bottom with cooking spray, and drape the cookie dough circle over a portion of the pan. Press the dough around the pan and bake until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Now you have edible cookie bowls ready to be filled with ice cream, frosting, or any other delicious treat.
Make Ice Cream with One Ingredient
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still enjoy homemade ice cream with just one ingredient: bananas. Frozen bananas can be blended to create a smooth and creamy ice cream consistency. Simply peel, chop and freeze the bananas for at least six hours. Blend the frozen banana chunks in a blender or food processor and you’ve got a delicious and healthy ice cream base. You can also add fruit or chocolate chips to customize the flavor.
Easy to dress up with chocolate
Chocolate can be a game changer when it comes to dressing up your desserts. To melt chocolate for piping, place chunks of chocolate in a plastic freezer bag and microwave in 20-second intervals until melted. Cut a hole in the corner of the bag and use it as a piping bag to write, create designs, or add a dripping effect to your cakes, cupcakes, or brownies. If you prefer a different look, use a block of chocolate and a peeler to create chocolate curls that make any dessert look fancy.
Perfectly cut a round cake for a party
Cutting a round cake evenly can be a challenge, but with the right technique, you can impress your guests with perfectly portioned slices. First, find the center of the cake and cut a small circle in the center. Then cut straight lines from the center circle to the outer edge, dividing the cake into even slices. This method ensures that each slice has an equal amount of cake and frosting, making it easier to serve and enjoy at parties or gatherings.
Conclusion
Baking and creating desserts doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated. With these handy dessert and baking hacks, you can simplify the process and achieve fantastic results. Whether you’re making frosting without a piping bag, using marshmallows as a quick substitute, preventing cookie cutters from sticking, finding egg substitutes, making DIY cookie cups, making homemade ice cream, garnishing desserts with melted chocolate, or cutting a round cake evenly, these hacks will make your life in the kitchen much easier and more enjoyable.
Remember, baking is a creative and fun activity that allows you to experiment and indulge in delicious treats. So arm yourself with these hacks and let your imagination run wild in the kitchen. Enjoy the process and, most importantly, enjoy the sweet rewards of your culinary creations. Happy baking!
FAQS
Yes, you can easily make your own piping bag using a Ziploc bag. Simply place the open bag in a tall glass, add your frosting, squeeze the top opening of the bag to make sure the frosting meets the corner, and cut off the end of the corner. Now you have a DIY piping bag ready to use.
What can I use instead of frosting?
If you’re looking for a quick and easy substitute for frosting, you can use marshmallows. When your cupcakes are almost done, place a large marshmallow on top of each cupcake and put them back in the oven for a few minutes. The marshmallow will melt and give your cupcakes a delicious and fluffy frosting-like texture.
How do I keep the cookie cutters from sticking to the dough?
To prevent cookie cutters from sticking to the dough, simply dip them in a bowl of flour before pressing them into the dough. This simple trick will ensure clean, well-defined shapes every time.
What can I use as an egg substitute in baking?
If you run out of eggs while baking, there are several substitutes you can use. Unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas can be used as egg substitutes in recipes, especially cakes. You can use ¼ cup of either applesauce or banana puree to replace one egg. Yogurt or buttermilk also work well as egg substitutes in muffins and cakes. Use ¼ cup of yogurt or buttermilk to replace one egg. Sparkling water can also be used as a substitute because it adds moisture and acts as a leavening agent, similar to eggs.
How do I make DIY cookie cups?
To make DIY cookie cups, roll out cookie dough on a floured surface and cut out a 5-inch circle. Turn a cupcake pan over, spray the bottom with cooking spray, and drape the cookie dough circle over a section of the pan. Press the dough around the pan and bake until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Now you have edible cookie cups ready to be filled with ice cream, frosting, or other delicious treats.
What’s an easy way to make homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker?
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still enjoy homemade ice cream with just one ingredient: bananas. Peel and chop the bananas and freeze them for at least six hours. Blend the frozen banana chunks in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. You can also add fruit or chocolate chips to customize the flavor.