Successful Baking

A number of factors are involved in the success of any baking endeavour:

• accurate measurement of all ingredients,
• using the correct tools, equipment, and pans,
• following recipe directions carefully,
• using correct mixing techniques,
• setting the oven temperature correctly,
• positioning the pans in the oven properly, and
• testing for doneness.

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Measuring Ingredients

If you have not already done so, view the Measuring Ingredients PowerPoint Show from Module 1, Learning Objective 1.4.

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Tools, Equipment, and Pans

For information about the tools, equipment, and pans used in baking, go to Tools, Equipment, and Pans.

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Following Directions

For an introductory set to the importance of thinking about what a set of instructions or directions says and of following the directions carefully, try the Read and Do Test.

Read and Do Test http://www.ahynesa.com/directions.htm

Working with Recipes
Students will need to do something with a set of recipe directions for them to begin to understand what they are being asked to do. When students work in small lab groups, a useful activity is to have them write out the recipe directions in step form, rather than paragraph form, assigning the steps to individual students. This helps them to ensure that the work is evenly divided. It should also help to increase their awareness of time management: they will have to "guesstimate" the length of each step in order to divide the work among the students. They need to organize their efforts in order to complete the lab in the allotted time.

Correct Mixing Techniques

For an introduction to four basic mixing techniques, go to Mixing Techniques.

Using the Oven

For information about preheating the oven and arranging pans in the oven, go to Using the Oven.

Testing for Doneness

The different indicators of doneness for different baked products are listed on Testing for Doneness.

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