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Pulling up your socks for a full-fledged baked snack? Here are a few silly baking mistakes that can be avoided with a little bit of caution and conscious mind.

Here are some baking guidelines you must keep in mind before getting on with the process

Baking is a very technical process and sometimes all steps need to be completed as per the recipe. However, in a hurry many times, some very common steps go for a toss. Thus, here’s a list of some common baking mistakes which you can go through before embarking on the process so that your ultimate baked goodie comes out flawless and delicious.

Skipping recipes

Baking is a very precise method of going about things. One should definitely not skip steps or join them, or re-arrange them as per their ease. This would alter their process and the ultimate product may not be as satisfactory as you would have desired.

Wrongly measured ingredients

The ingredients that you are using for your baked goodies have to be absolutely on-point. Always use measuring tools from trusted brands which have the standard measurements etched on them. Many times, during cooking one uses intuitions and scoops the measurement but during baking this must be avoided and a precise instrument must be used for the ingredients.

Every ingredient needs to be used in the temperature it is meant to be in. Even if you take out cold ingredients like eggs or milk from the refrigerator, let it cool down on the kitchen counter for at least 30 minutes, till it reaches room temperature. One it does, it is good to be used. Never use ingredients with a different temperature than what is underlined in the recipe.

Don’t skip sifting

Sifting or straining is done for the dry ingredients to remove any lumps and impurities from it. If this step is skipped, then the ultimate batter will have lumps and air pockets which would make the final product not up to the mark.

Using old products

While one is not being asked to use fresh and newly bought products all the time during baking; here one simply needs to use products which are not expired. Baking soda and baking powder are two products which specially come under the scrutiny in this case. To test its freshness, hot water can be added to baking powder and it should bubble or vinegar with baking soda and you would see the fizz.

Avoid over-mixing

The mixing of the ingredients and the consistency of the batter itself is core to determining how it will fare in the oven and what will be the ultimate look of the baked product. Hence, never over-mix after adding the flour. Mix only, till all the ingredients have combined and then your batter is ready to be used.

Right Equipment size and type

Often skipped but very important are the size and make of the equipment in which you are baking. Not all materials absorb heat the same way and surface size also depends when the batter is heating up. Thus, it is best to follow the instructions of the recipe and choose the desired equipment in size and make.

Always pre-heat the oven

You must have often heard celebrity chefs saying that after the batter is done, it will be placed in a pre-heated oven. Pre-heating the oven is a mandatory step while baking any goods unless there is an exception in the recipe or it is a no-bake product.

No excessive checking by opening over door

Many people have the habit or maybe anxiety that works in them and they try to open the oven door many times to check if the batter has baked as required or not. This is a grave mistake. The more you open the door of the oven, the more you let the heat escape which tampers with the baking process by leading to the formation of unsteady temperature conditions.

Resting is a crucial step

Just like you need to make sure that the batter goes inside the oven at the right temperature, similarly, you also need to make sure that the final product, after taken out of the oven, is given a chance to rest and cool down. This only means that the baked product reaches warm temperature so that it is in the perfect condition for consumption. Resting also allows the final product to solidify further and not break down into crumbles.