bake - September/October 2024 - 8

pratical marketing
TIPS and
TRICKS
Domino® Sugar - the brand crafted by experts - is excited to
unveil some of baking's best-kept secrets. Chef Eleonora Lahud
shares six of her cherished tips and tricks designed to inspire
and enhance the skills of home bakers everywhere.
Dust Off Ordinary Cakes with This Cocoa Trick
Dusting pans with cocoa instead of flour when making chocolate
cake is a clever trick used by many chefs. Greasing and flouring
pans is a crucial step in cake making, and using cocoa powder elevates
the chocolate experience of your cake. It not only enhances
the flavor but also adds aesthetic appeal by providing a darker
appearance without the white residue that flour can leave behind.
Unsweetened cocoa powder comes in two primary types: natural
and Dutch-processed, and understanding the differences is
essential for successful baking. Natural cocoa powder is acidic
and pairs with baking soda to help leaven baked goods, creating
lift and fluffiness. On the other hand, Dutch-processed cocoa is
treated to neutralize its acids, making it non-reactive with baking
soda. It's crucial to use the specific type of cocoa specified
in your recipe to ensure the desired texture and rise in your
baking projects.
Unlock Fluffy Meringues with This Egg White Temperature Tip
The temperature of egg whites is crucial when making meringue.
Cold egg whites can hinder the development of meringues. For
the best results, egg whites should be at room temperature. It's
easier to separate egg whites from yolks when they are cold, so
separate them first and then let the whites come to room temperature
before using.
Harness the Power of Perfect Temperatures
Temperature plays an essential role in baking. Many recipes specify
using butter at room temperature, ideally around 68°F. At this
temperature, butter is most effective at trapping air when creamed
with sugar, resulting in a velvety, well-aerated crumb in cakes.
Similarly, many baking recipes recommend room temperature
eggs. Using cold eggs can cause the batter to curdle, leading to
an uneven texture in your finished baked goods. If you've forgotten
to take your eggs out of the fridge ahead of time, a quick fix is
to submerge them in a bowl of warm water to gently bring them
to room temperature. This ensures a smoother, more cohesive
batter for optimal baking results.
08 < SEP-OCT 2024 | bakemag.com
Chill, Mix, Bake: Secrets to Crafting
the Perfect Cookie Every Time
Refrigerating cookie dough before baking is a crucial step for
achieving the perfect cookie. Chilling the dough allows the gluten
to relax, resulting in tender cookies. Additionally, this rest period enhances
flavor development and promotes cleaner, sharper edges.
The choice and proportion of sugars also play a pivotal role in
determining the texture and color of your cookies. For crispier
cookies, increase the amount of white granulated sugar.
Perfect Your Cake: Frost, Slice, and Serve Like a Pro
For flawless buttercream application, a bench scraper is an indispensable
tool. To achieve a smooth, professional finish on your
cake, dip your tools in hot water before spreading the frosting.
This technique also works wonders for slicing through the cake
cleanly, ensuring each piece looks as perfect as it tastes.
Master the Art of Baking: Learn to Trust Your Senses,
Not Just the Timer
Chefs know that strictly adhering to the baking time listed in
a recipe can lead to unpredictable results due to variations in
oven temperatures, pan materials, kitchen conditions, and ingredient
behavior. Instead, they rely on visual cues like the color of
the crust and internal temperature checks to gauge doneness.
It's wise to start checking on your bake slightly before the suggested
time in the recipe to ensure perfect results every time.
DOMINO SUGAR
http://www.bakemag.com
bake - September/October 2024

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