(BPT) – It’s the holiday season – and bakers everywhere are kicking into high gear, filling kitchens with stacks of cookies, cupcakes, pies and candies. Holiday baking should be a joyful experience, sweet, easy and filled with fun memories. Whether you’re baking for a few or a flock, here are six tips to help you bake like a pro:
Prep ingredients in advance
Get ready for your big cookie-baking day by preparing the dough beforehand. Most cookie dough will keep in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for several weeks. Roll the dough into a log or round and cover in plastic wrap or pre-portion the dough to save yourself even more time.
Save time with convection technology
Convection ovens are the best for baking as they evenly distribute the hot air around the entire oven, so your cookies, cakes and pies will bake faster. The LG ProBake Ovens with Convection Technology evenly distribute heat on every rack for optimal performance. They’re also Wi-Fi-enabled, so you can control them with your smartphone or voice commands through Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant.
Quickly soften butter
It happens all too often. You’re ready to get started, only to realize you forgot to soften the butter. When this happens to you, don’t delay your baking. Smaller pieces of butter will soften faster than the whole stick. Simply cut the butter into small cubes and let it sit for a few minutes.
Get creative for easy decorating
When it comes to decorating, think outside the box. Try using some unique cookie cutters or edible ink pens to sketch any design onto your goodies. And if you’re using sprinkles, brush each cookie with a bit of corn syrup to help them stay in place.
Keep cookies soft and fresh
No one likes a crusty, stale cookie. To keep your cookies chewy and soft, put a slice of bread into your storage container. The bread will help your cookies retain their moisture or add it back in if they are already dried out.
Check your baking powder and baking soda
Did you know these important ingredients have a limited shelf life? If they’re expired, your baked goods might not turn out as you intended. Add a teaspoon of baking powder into a cup and add one third cup of hot water. If it bubbles, the baking powder is ready to use. To test baking soda, add a quarter teaspoon and two tablespoons of vinegar into a cup. If it bubbles, go ahead and bake with it.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your holiday baking, follow these tips for a productive and rewarding experience. For more baking help, check out lg.com/us/ranges-ovens.
