Make sure to use flowers that are SAFE and EDIBLE and not exposed to any pesticides.
What are the best easy cake recipes for beginners?
This simple icebox cake is another one of our favorite easy cake recipes for beginners. It’s fancy enough for a celebration, yet so easy to make. The three ingredients you’ll need are chocolate wafer cookies, heavy cream, and powdered sugar.
How long to bake a cake (and why)?
The standard time required to bake a cake is 20-30 minutes. However, the time may vary depending on different types of oven. As a beginner, it can be challenging to tell whether the cake is ready.
What is the best temperature to bake a cake?
You should bake your cake at 350°F (180°C). How long does a cake take to bake? The standard time required to bake a cake is 20-30 minutes. However, the time may vary depending on different types of oven. As a beginner, it can be challenging to tell whether the cake is ready.
How many ingredients do I need to make a cake?
Now you can have your cake and eat it, too. You’ll need only seven everyday ingredients to make this easy, versatile recipe, which you can use to bake a 9×9 cake or a dozen cupcakes. Tip: The recipe says to cream together the sugar and butter. For best results, beat them together until the texture is light and fluffy, about three to four minutes.
How do you bake a cake step by step?
How to Bake a Cake
- Step 1: Prepare Baking Pans.
- Step 2: Allow Ingredients to Reach Room Temperature.
- Step 3: Preheat the Oven.
- Step 4: Stir Together Dry Ingredients.
- Step 5: Combine the Butter and Sugar.
- Step 6: Add Eggs One at a Time.
- Step 7: Alternate Adding Dry and Wet Ingredients.
- Step 8: Pour Batter into Pans and Bake.
How do you bake a cake in 7 steps?
- Step 1: Get a Clean Bawl. Tip Question Comment.
- Step 2: Simply Place All the Ingredients in the Bawl. Tip Question Comment.
- Step 3: Then Mix All the Ingredients.
- Step 4: Get a Clean Pan.
- Step 5: Pure the Mixture Into a Pan.
- Step 6: Bake at 350 Degrees F.
- Step 7: Let the Cake Cool for 5 Minutes.
- 2 Comments.
What is the main ingredient of cake?
The most commonly used cake ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, butter or oil or margarine, a liquid, and a leavening agent, such as baking soda or baking powder.
Is milk necessary in cake?
Milk is the least important
According to Spurkland the least important ingredient of cakes, except cream cakes, is milk. And about 80 percent of the recipes in her book are milk free. She says milk can usually be replaced by another liquid like water or juice. Butter isn’t so important either.
What makes a cake Fluffy?
Most cakes begin with creaming butter and sugar together. Butter is capable of holding air and the creaming process is when butter traps that air. While baking, that trapped air expands and produces a fluffy cake.
How do you bake a cake in 10 steps?
Bake a Cake in 10 Steps
- 01 of 10. The Basics of Baking a Cake. Elaine Lemm.
- 02 of 10. Grease and Preheat. Elaine Lemm.
- 03 of 10. Prepare Your Ingredients. Elaine Lemm.
- 04 of 10. Whisk the Dry Mix.
- 05 of 10. Cream Your Butter and Sugar.
- 06 of 10. Add the Eggs.
- 07 of 10. It’s Time to Combine.
- 08 of 10. Pour Your Batter in Your Pan.
How long does it take to bake a cake?
Baking Times for Different Sized Cake Pans
Cake Pan Size | Approximate Baking Times |
---|---|
Two 9 x 1-1/2 inch round baking pans | 30 to 35 minutes |
Two 8 x 8 x 2 or 9 x 9 x 2 inch baking pans | 25 to 35 minutes |
12 cup Bundt Cake or Angel Food cake pan | 35 to one hour |
10-inch cheesecake made in spring form pan | 35 to one hour |
How do you bake a simple cake using a Jiko?
Steps
- Mix blueband and sugar with a fork til the sugar is mixed and disappeared.
- Add the two eggs and stir thoroughly until it makes a fine mixture.
- Add flour, baking soda and mix.
- Then add milk, stir until it forms a sticky,thick mixture.
- Oil a sufuria with melted blueband then pour the mixture in it.
Do you like eating cake?
Do you like eating cakes? Yes definitely! I have a sweet tooth and cakes are my favorite kind of dessert. In fact, I never miss storing some cakes in our refrigerator.
Which flour is used in cake?
Cake flour is a finely milled flour made from soft wheat that’s usually bleached. It’s used in cakes and cupcakes to produce a fine, tender crumb and fluffy texture. Because the texture is finer, cake flour weighs less than all-purpose flour and has a slightly lower protein content.
Which ingredient makes the cake soft?
Whisking butter and sugar together is one essential tip to make the cake spongy, fluffy and moist. Whisk butter and sugar for long until the mixture becomes pale yellow and fluffy because of incorporation of air. The process is known as creaming.
What is cake on a girl?
Why is a cake compared to a woman’s ass? A cake is used as slang to refer to a nice ass. It helps convey complex meaning with easy language. The comparison is done due to cakes resembling a woman’s ass and to avoid the use of inappropriate words.
What are the best recipes to bake cakes?
– about 3 tbsp apricot jam, warmed and sieved – icing sugar – 675g/1lb 8oz marzipan
How could you bake an easy cake?
A quick guide on how to bake cake for beginners
- Do you want to learn how to make a cake from scratch?
- Today, we’re going to learn how to make a straightforward cake from scratch.
- The procedures are simple and straightforward, and you will be pleased with the results.
- The recipe that we will be using to show you how to create a cake from scratch is really straightforward.
For those who do not enjoy spending a lot of time in the kitchen, as well as those who are new to the ″baking-industry,″ this is the perfect recipe.If you are a parent who wants to surprise their child with a delicious cake for dessert, then this advice on how to make a cake is precisely what you’ve been looking for.
A simple recipe on how to bake cake
Take a look at this straightforward recipe.
Ingredients required
- What is the procedure for baking a cake step by step? The first thing you need to know is that you’ll need to have all of the ingredients on hand. 14 cup flour (100 grams)
- 2 cups plain/caster sugar (100 grams)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 14 cup butter (100 grams)
- 14 cup oil (100 grams)
- 1 12 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 12 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 34 cup cocoa powder or chocolate
- 2 tablespoon vanilla essence
- 1 cup boiling water
Procedure
Prepare all of the necessary equipment. Ascertain that you have all of the ingredients and equipment necessary before beginning the baking process. So, what exactly do you require? A baking pan; it can be any size, such as 8-inch rounds, 9-inch rounds, 13-inch rounds, or a Bundt pan, among other options. Prepare your pan by lining it with butter paper that has been coated with oil.
- Tip: If you don’t have parchment paper, you may sprinkle the pan with cocoa powder instead of flour to prevent the cake from developing a white film on the surface. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Before you begin making the batter, check to see that the oven is properly warmed to 180 degrees Celsius.
- Prepare all of the components that will be needed. Before you start creating the batter, make sure you have all of your ingredients ready. If you’ve decided to use chocolate, make sure to thoroughly melt it before proceeding with the recipe. To melt the chocolate, you may either use the microwave or a pot on the stovetop to achieve the desired consistency.
- Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Measure all of the dry ingredients accurately and thoroughly combine them in a mixing dish. If you don’t leave it for a long enough period of time, your cake will not rise evenly and properly. You can use a wire whisk to blend the flour and leavening ingredients
- however, it is not necessary.
Combine the milk, eggs, butter, oil, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. All of these components should be incorporated into the dry mixture. Make sure the butter and eggs you’re using are at room temperature before you begin. Also, the butter must be creamy in consistency. Slowly incorporate the ingredients into the batter until it is smooth.
- Fill the container with water. Mix in the hot boiling water until it is completely smooth.
- Pour the batter into the pan. Divide your batter into two round cake pans and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F. If you’re using a rectangle or Bundt pan, you can pour in the entire batter at this point. Spread out the batter on top of the baking sheet using a spatula to ensure that it remains smooth even after baking
The baking procedure. Please keep in mind that we have been preheating the oven, and the temperature is consequently ready when needed. You should bake your cake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
- How long does it take for a cake to bake properly?
- The average amount of time necessary to bake a cake is between 20 and 30 minutes.
- However, the duration will vary depending on the sort of oven you are working with.
- Identifying whether the cake has reached its proper baking temperature might be difficult for beginners.
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, your cake is done; if it does not, you will need to bake it for an additional 5 to 10 minutes more.Allow for around 10 minutes of cooling time once it has been finished cooking.After you have taken the cake from the pan, lay it on a cooling rack to enable fresh air to circulate around it before frosting it with a buttercream frosting.Finish.
- After it has been allowed to cool fully, you may decorate it with anything you wish.
- You may consider sandwiching some buttercream icing, cream cheese frosting, ganache, or whipped cream between the two cakes, or you could just leave it as is.
- Decorate your cake in the manner of your choice.
You may have noticed that this recipe is quite simple. This recipe will demonstrate that mastering the art of cake baking is not difficult if you follow the directions carefully. Legit.ng is the source of this information.
Beginner baker (or just looking for something simple)? These easy cake recipes use basic techniques to deliver on over-the-top flavor.
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Hazelnut Cake Squares
Several packaged items, including Nutella (which is delicious!) and a box of cake mix, are used in this one-bowl recipe. When you’re just starting out in the kitchen or don’t have the time to make anything from scratch, there’s no reason to be embarrassed about taking this shortcut. Just make sure you’re using a good cake mix, such as the one recommended by our Test Kitchen. 3 out of 24
Coconut-Layered Pound Cake
- Several packaged goods, including Nutella (which is delicious!) and a box of cake mix, are used in this one-bowl dessert recipe.
- When you’re just getting started in the kitchen or don’t have the time to make anything from scratch, there’s no reason to be embarrassed about employing this method.
- Use a high-quality cake mix, such as the one recommended by our Test Kitchen.
- Three-quarters of a century has passed since the invention of the wheel.
Easy Pistachio Tube Cake
This amazing, five-star bundt cake is made utilizing two prepared mixes as a starting point (cake mix and instant pudding). Using these shortcuts, you’ll be able to create a show-stopping dessert to impress your friends and family with. The only difficult element of this straightforward recipe is preparing the pan. Follow our instructions to complete the task correctly. 6 out of 24
Cream Cheese Sheet Cake
- With two prepared mixes, you can make this magnificent five-star bundt cake (cake mix and instant pudding).
- Using these shortcuts, you’ll be able to create a show-stopping dessert to impress your friends and family members.
- It is just necessary to grease the pan for this simple recipe because it is the most difficult step.
- For a successful outcome, follow our instructions carefully.
- Sixteenth of every twenty-four hours
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
When it comes to quick and simple cake recipes, there’s nothing better than a tasty (and well rated) one-bowl recipe. This cake requires no special equipment; all you need is a nice 13-by-9-inch pan and 15 minutes of preparation time. 11th day of the 24th month
Cherry Pudding Cake
This pudding cake is a no-fuss treat that everyone will enjoy. Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and top with tart cherries. Dust it with powdered sugar to give it a more professional appearance. 12th day of the month
Root Beer Float Cake
The addition of a can of root beer gives this five-ingredient cake a boost, resulting in a light and moist treat. If you want the finest flavor, be sure to use your favorite root beer (here’s ours). 14 out of 24
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake
Are you looking for the best cake recipe for beginners? You’ve discovered it! To make this dump cake, all you have to do is combine all of the ingredients in a slow cooker. After that, you may walk away for two hours as it transforms into a simple tropical dessert. Once you’ve mastered this recipe, you may experiment with these additional slow cooker desserts. 15 out of 24
Classic Chocolate Cake
Every baker, whether a newbie or a seasoned professional, requires a basic chocolate cake recipe. This recipe is a reader favorite, but it is also simple enough for even inexperienced bakers to master. 16 out of 24
Raspberry Custard Kuchen
Is it possible to make an impressive-looking dessert that is actually rather simple? That’s music to the ears of any baker (especially for newer ones). The fresh fruit in this German-style cake gives the dish a vibrant appearance that is hard to resist. 17 out of 24
Blueberry-Lemon Upside-Down Cake
Once you’ve gained a little confidence in the kitchen, you’ll want to experiment with other techniques. There’s no need to be afraid of these twisted confections. Just make sure you have a large enough pan to turn your cake out of and that you are fast! 21 out of 24
Pineapple Sheet Cake
- This cake may appear to be difficult to make, but it couldn’t be simpler.
- Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl in one step and stir well.
- Spread the mixture onto a sheet pan and bake for a dessert with a tropical theme.
- This is an excellent place to start for those who are just getting started (and a good recipe to have on hand for experienced bakers who are short on time).
- 22 out of 24
Malted Milk Cake
When you’re just getting started in the kitchen, having a collection of recipes that are both simple and adaptable is essential. This simple cake can be converted from a 13×9-inch dish to a cupcake variant in a jiffy by simply swapping out the pans. 23 out of 24
Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
Another easy sheet cake recipe to try! Beginning bakers will find this recipe challenging since it includes a creamy peanut butter icing (don’t worry, it’s simple to learn how to make). The original publication date was June 14, 2019.
Here’s How to Make the Best Layer Cake of Your Life
- The cake is light and fluffy, and it is topped with icing.
- Whether it’s a basic vanilla cake or a decadent chocolate treat, a delightfully moist cake is a must-have centerpiece for every special occasion, no matter what the occasion.
- Many of our most popular cake recipes begin with the same technique: creaming butter or shortening with sugar until it’s light and fluffy.
- Creamed cakes are sometimes referred to as such because the fat and sugar are creamed together in the preparation of the cake.
- Our Test Kitchen will teach you how to make a homemade cake that’s so good that everyone will think you bought it from a fancy bakery.
- We’ll use tried-and-true methods from our Test Kitchen to teach you how to make a homemade cake that’s so good that everyone will think you bought it from a fancy bakery.
- While it will take some time, none of the processes involved in baking a cake are very difficult, as you will discover in the next section.
How to Bake a Cake
- Find out how to make the recipe.
- You must first pick a cake recipe before you can forward with the rest of the process.
- Alternatively, you may go for a more elaborate recipe, such as a chocolate devil’s food cake or a brilliant red velvet cake recipe, to make your cake more visually appealing to your guests.
- If you’re not a fan of the typical frostings, a German chocolate cake can be a good alternative.
- In addition, we offer a few birthday cake recipes for special events like birthdays.
- Almost any cake can be made with this recipe, and these instructions will guide you through the process of making any of them.
- However, angel food, pound cakes, sponge cakes, and chiffon cakes require different techniques, so be sure to read about those separately if you’re making one of those cakes.
Step 1: Prepare Baking Pans
- Anyone who bakes a cake does not want it to cling to the pan, thus it is critical to prepare the pans before putting in the batter.
- With the exception of angel food and chiffon cakes, most recipes ask for greasing and flouring the pan or lining the pan with waxed or parchment paper before baking the cake or pie.
- While it comes to determining what sort of baking pan to use, our Test Kitchen loves glossy pans since they provide a more golden look when baking.
- In order to avoid overbrowning, adjust the oven temperature by 25°F if you are using a dark or dull-finish pan and check doneness 3 to 5 minutes earlier than normal.
Step 2: Allow Ingredients to Reach Room Temperature
- Many cake recipes call for cake components such as eggs and butter to be allowed to come to room temperature before being used.
- Because of this, the butter will combine more readily with the other ingredients, and the eggs will result in a more substantial cake volume.
- (It is not recommended to leave the eggs at room temperature for longer than the period stated in the recipe for food safety concerns.) Test Kitchen Tip: Never use melted butter in a recipe that calls for softened butter instead.
- It will have a negative impact on the cake’s texture.
Step 3: Preheat the Oven
- It is possible for a cake to bake too rapidly and develop tunnels and cracks, while baking too slowly might result in a cake that is gritty.
- Allow your oven to warm for at least 10 minutes before beginning, and check the temperature using an oven thermometer ($7 at Target) to ensure it reaches the right temperature.
- Using black cake pans will need you to lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit from the one specified in your recipe.
Step 4: Stir Together Dry Ingredients
- Flour, baking powder and/or baking soda, and salt are some of the most common dry ingredients used in baking.
- Rather than adding each dry ingredient to the batter one at a time, whisk ($6, Walmart) them together in a separate bowl first.
- Using this method ensures that the components are evenly dispersed throughout the mixture.
- someone who is preparing a dessert using butter Photograph courtesy of Kritsada Panichgul
Step 5: Combine the Butter and Sugar
- Do you want to know how to produce a cake that has a light, airy crumb? The most crucial step is to cream the butter and sugar together. Here’s how it’s done: Using an electric mixer ($23, Target), whip the butter for 30 seconds on a medium to high speed until it is fluffy. Generally, a stand mixer with a medium speed is required for this phase, whereas a hand mixer with a greater speed is required.
- On medium speed, beat in the sugar (and vanilla extract, if the recipe asks for it) until the mixture has a light, fluffy texture and is completely incorporated. This will take around 3 to 5 minutes. (DO NOT chop this section short.) While pounding, scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally. As the butter and sugar are blended, little bubbles will be formed, which will give your cake its beautiful, light, and fluffy texture.
Step 6: Add Eggs One at a Time
- Are you looking for a recipe for a cake with a light, fluffy crumb?
- The most crucial step is to cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- It works like this: Using an electric mixer ($23, Target), whip the butter for 30 seconds on a medium-to-high speed.
- It is usually necessary to use a medium speed for a stand mixer and a faster speed for a hand mixer for this stage.
- On medium speed, beat in the sugar (and vanilla extract, if the recipe asks for it) until the mixture has a light, fluffy texture and is well blended.
- 3 to 5 minutes are required for this procedure.
- PLEASE DON’T SKIP ANY OF THIS.
- While pounding, scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
- As the butter and sugar are blended, little bubbles will be formed, which will give your cake its wonderful, light, and fluffy consistency.
Step 7: Alternate Adding Dry and Wet Ingredients
- Beat on low speed after each addition until the flour mixture and milk (or other liquid indicated in the recipe) are fully incorporated.
- Alternate between adding part of the flour mixture and some of the milk (or other liquid specified in the recipe).
- The flour mixture should be used to start and finish the recipe.
- This is due to the fact that when liquid is added to flour, gluten begins to develop.
- Too much gluten results in a difficult cake, so be careful to start and finish with flour, and avoid overmixing after the liquid has been included.
- Warning: Do not overmix at this point or you may end up with elongated, uneven holes in your completed cake.
- Test Kitchen Tip: person responsible for spreading cake batter Photograph courtesy of Kritsada Panichgul
Step 8: Pour Batter into Pans and Bake
Using a spatula, evenly distribute the batter across the baking pans. Spread the batter in a uniform layer using an offset spatula ($9, Bed Bath & Beyond) once it has been chilled. Make careful to distribute it all the way to the edge of the pan. Make sure to follow the guidelines on the recipe while baking your cake.
Step 9: Check Cake for Doneness
- No one likes to eat a dry cake, which is what happens when it is overbaked.
- Start testing the cake for doneness after the recipe’s specified minimum baking time has passed, and resist opening the oven door until it is time to avoid letting the heat escape until it is time.
- Insert a wooden toothpick towards the middle of a creamed cake to keep it from falling apart.
- If the pick comes out clean (with only a crumb or two stuck to it), the cake has finished baking.
- The cake should be baked for a few minutes longer if there is any wet batter on it.
- A new toothpick should be used to test it in a different area.
- Photograph courtesy of Kritsada Panichgul
Step 10: Cool the Cake
- Allow the cakes to cool in their pans on a wire rack ($15, Walmart) for a maximum of 10 minutes before serving.
- Using a knife, carefully run it over the edges of the cake to release it from the pan sides before removing it from the pans.
- Placing a wire rack on top of the cake and inverting the pan will help to prevent cracking.
- Using tongs, carefully lift the pan off the cake, being careful not to break the cake’s edges.
- If you used waxed or parchment paper to wrap your cake, gently take the paper away from it.
- Allow for thorough cooling of the cake (about 1 hour).
- This is an important step in allowing the cake to firm up and become less prone to breaking apart while being frosted.
- As an added bonus, it prevents the frosting from melting immediately after application!
- person responsible for icing the cake and assembling the layers Get the recipe for our Buttercream Frosting.
Step 11: Assemble the Cake
- Brush the cake layers with a pastry brush ($10, Williams Sonoma) before assembling them to prevent crumbs from getting into the icing.
- 12 cup of frosting should be spread over the first layer, and the second layer should be carefully placed on top.
- Continue until all of the layers have been piled.
- Test Kitchen Tip: To generously fill and frost a two-layer 9-inch cake, it needs around 212 to 3 cups of icing.
- Plan on using 312 to 4 cups of cake batter for a three-layer cake.
Step 12: Add the First Coat of Frosting
- The crumb coat is the key to mastering the art of frosting a layer cake successfully.
- For this, apply a very thin coating of frosting to the edges and top of the cake and distribute it evenly.
- While this first coat does not have to be immaculate, it serves an important purpose in keeping crumbs out of the frosting.
- Allow the cake to rest for 30 minutes to allow the icing to set.
- Test Kitchen Tip: Use small pieces of waxed paper to wrap around and beneath the initial cake layer when using a pedestal ($13, Walmart) or cake plate to make cleanup easier.
Step 15: Frost and Decorate
- Spread the remaining frosting generously over the top and edges of the cake, swirling it in as you go, using an offset spatula or table knife.
- Afterwards, go back and apply more swirls if desired until the cake is thoroughly coated.
- Serve the cake within 2 hours, or store it in the refrigerator.
- Having learned how to build a cake from scratch, you may continue to hone your cake decorating abilities at home by experimenting with different colors of frosting, piping techniques, and finishing touches.
- For additional cake inspiration, here are some simple and elegant cake recipes to get you started on your next baking project.
The chemistry of cake baking
- The University of Oslo’s Anne Spurkland is a doctor who also happens to be a professor of anatomy.
- She has worked in the field of autoimmune illnesses for many years, focusing on multiple sclerosis in particular, and has vast expertise in laboratory research.
- She also enjoys baking cakes, which she does on a regular basis.
- Spurkland has acquaintances who are allergic to milk and eggs, and her spouse has celiac disease, which he was diagnosed with a few years ago.
- This prompted her to begin experimenting with other types of cakes that they might all enjoy.
- Coeliac disease is a digestive disorder that affects the small intestine and is associated with an intolerance to the grain protein glutin.
- In this way, consumption of grain products results in the development of an allergic reaction in the small intestines.
Researching cakes
- Spurkland has authored a book on the technique of creating delectable cakes without the use of milk, wheat, eggs, or sugar, among other ingredients.
- Her collection of cake recipes includes dishes in which these elements are substituted with other ordinary household items.
- She claims that her research and laboratory expertise came in useful while she was experimenting with pastries and baked goods.
- My expertise in systematic problem-solving has prepared me well for this, and the logic necessary in baking and laboratory work has a lot in common.
What is a cake, actually?
- Spurkland began her research by pondering the nature of a cake and the functions that the various elements perform.
- According to her, the majority of Norwegians envision a cake as one that is prepared in a manner that is light, sweet, and soft.
- Of course, icing or whipped cream is a common addition to many cakes.
- ″My goal was to create something that could be served with coffee and yet be deemed a cake,″ says the author.
- She claims that this effort was about more than simply cakes.
- ″It was also a convenient means of communicating what we do in fundamental research in a straightforward manner.″ As Spurkland points out, ″our knowledge may help us solve difficulties.″ Scientists perform things on a daily basis that are practically hard to describe, and the relevance of the chemical characteristics of biological molecules is the key to understanding what they are doing.
- ″I’ve done a lot of work with cakes, much as I’ve done with research.
- ″Tasting cakes, on the other hand, is a lot more approachable.″
Milk is the least important
- Milk, with the exception of cream cakes, is the least significant element in cakes, according to Spurkland.
- In addition, around 80 percent of the dishes in her book are dairy-free.
- She claims that milk may typically be substituted with another drink such as water or juice.
- Butter, on the other hand, isn’t that vital.
- The flavor of butter is wonderful, but the chemical activities it performs in baking may be accomplished in alternative methods.
- She goes on to say that in order to substitute butter, you’ll need a fat mixture that can be both solid and liquid at room temperature, much like butter.
- Spurkland substitutes white shortening, coconut fat, and coconut milk for butter in her dishes on a regular basis.
- For example, she has prepared lemon cream, which is made with lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, corn starch, egg yolks, and coconut fat, as well as other ingredients.
Cakes without flour
- According to Spurkland, baking cakes without the use of wheat flour is also not an issue.
- Unless you’re baking with yeast, wheat flour may typically be substituted with corn starch or potato starch, depending on the recipe.
- According to her, ″it works as long as you stick to airy, spongy cakes and as long as you utilize eggs in the dough.″ Since wheat flour has no flavor, it is not the flavor that people would miss, but rather the consistency that they will miss.
- Wheat flour is made up of starchy grains that have been coated with proteins.
- In baking, gluten is a term used to refer to a material formed when the proteins in the flour get wet.
- Upon the addition of water, the proteins glutenin and gliadin absorb the moisture, causing them to stretch out and become sticky.
- When you knead the dough, the more gluten is released into the dough.
- Gluten is useful in making bread hold together, but if you use too much of it in cakes, they can become tough and compact.
- Corn and potato starch are made up entirely of carbohydrate and contain no proteins.
This implies that when the dough is cooked, the starch retains its stickiness, but the proteins are rendered ineffective.″As long as you have eggs in there,″ adds Spurkland, ″this will function well.″ Eggs take care of the process that is normally carried out by the proteins in wheat flour – keeping air in the dough, maintaining the shape of the cake during baking, preventing water from evaporating out of the finished baked pastry or bread, and preventing starch from re-crystallizing and drying out the cake – and they do so without sacrificing flavor.Rice flour, crushed seeds and nuts, and cooked beans and peas are all good substitutes for wheat flour in baked goods.
Pumpkins for eggs
- When you remove eggs from a recipe, it becomes much more difficult.
- Eggs aid in the incorporation of air into the dough as well as the preservation of the cake’s structure.
- As Spurkland points out, ″there are several disadvantages to eliminating eggs from baked goods.″ ″It’s not possible to just substitute one ingredient for another in this recipe.″ Consequently, what you utilize instead is determined on the attributes you are seeking.″ For example, in a cupcake recipe, she has substituted pumpkin for the egg whites.
- Using a mixer, she describes how the pumpkin’s cells are broken apart as a result of the vigorous beating.
- Each and every cell has a membrane, and these membranes contain the same lipids as are present in an egg.
- As a result, the mashed vegetable will have many of the same qualities as the lipids found in eggs, such as the ability to form a cohesive gel when combined with water and fat.
- Plants include a higher concentration of lipids than eggs, but they also contain a higher concentration of complex carbs.
- ″When the cells are smashed, the contents will be discharged, which will contribute to the air being trapped.″ According to Spurkland, when these factors come together, you have the potential to blend air, sugar, water, and fat.
Sugar is a brain-teaser
- Sugar is the final and, in many cases, the most hardest element to eliminate.
- However, there are several ways that may be used to achieve sweetness without the use of sugar.
- For the sweetness, I’ve added apricots, raisins, and dates,″ says the author.
- Then there’s the Maillard reaction, which is a chemical process.
- This is the term used to describe the chemical interactions that take place between amino acids and proteins when they are heated.
- As an example, it is the Maillard reactions that explain why a sweet bun tastes and appears the way it does when it is smeared with egg, milk, and sugar before being baked.
- This is the process that gives pastries and cakes their black crusts, and it is also the reaction that typically results in a sweet flavor.
- As a result, you may still taste sweetness in cakes that are baked without sugar.
Sugar is important despite it all
- Sugar, on the other hand, is frequently required for the construction of cakes.
- When you whisk eggs and sugar together, as most cake recipes would instruct you to do, the sugar enhances the viscosity of the egg mixture, which prevents the air bubbles that are put in from popping immediately after they are mixed in.
- However, because dried fruit has a considerable amount of sugar, this problem may be resolved as well.
- Spurkland’s cookbook contains a recipe for an apricot cake that is made with dried apricots as the source of sugar.
- Sugarless cakes, on the other hand, are virtually a self-contradiction.
- Sugarless pastries such as pies and tarts, pancakes, and of course, the traditional Norwegian lefse make up the majority of the recipes in the book, as opposed to the softer, spongier varieties.
- Glenn Ostling has provided the translation.
External links
- Anne Spurkland’s home page at the University of Oslo
How to Prevent a Dry or Dense Cake
- It is possible that this content contains affiliate links.
- Please take the time to read my disclosure policy.
- These nine essential baking guidelines can help you avoid making a cake that is too dry or thick.
- By putting these teachings into practice in your kitchen, you can ensure a soft and moist cake!
- Dense.
- The nemesis of a cake crumb.
- Dry.
- The adversary of a cake crumb.
- Cakes that are too dry or thick have absolutely no place in this world.
However, all too frequently, a cake with a seemingly innocent appearance might become a victim of one or both of these textural catastrophes.It has occurred to me roughly 3,520,958 times, and I am always striving to prevent my cake (and myself!) from experiencing the thick or dry cake tragedy.There are methods for avoiding and preventing these undesirable textures.
- For numerous years, I’ve been experimenting with different cake recipes and have gained a great deal of knowledge in the process.
- In most cases, I can look at a recipe and predict the texture that will result from it.
- But every now and then, I’m not that fortunate, which is why I composed nine critical lessons that will assist us the next time we bake a cake from scratch.
I promise you SOFT & MOIST cakes!
1. Use Cake Flour
- Use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour when baking a cake.
- Cake flour is a low-protein flour that has been ground to a superfine fineness to be used in baking.
- This moist, sensitive texture is carried over into your cake as a direct result.
- However, this is not a regulation that must be followed to the letter.
- Some recipes are just unable to handle the fine consistency of cake flour.
- Chocolate cake, for example, already has cocoa powder, which is a soft dry ingredient that may be used in lieu of part of the flour in a recipe to make it more moist.
- Using cake flour and cocoa powder together typically results in a cake that is too light and crumbly to cut into slices.
- In the same way, carrot cake and banana cake include additional wet components (the fruits or vegetables), making cake flour an unsuitable choice since it is not strong enough.
- Use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour for baking vanilla cake, white cake, red velvet cake, vanilla cupcakes, and other cakes and cupcakes where a fluffy texture is desired, such as red velvet cupcakes.
I’ve also had experience replacing cake flour for all-purpose flour to make a softer pineapple upside-down cake and a funfetti cake, which are both delicious.(Use a 1:1 substitute and make no additional modifications to the recipe.) A new version of my pineapple upside down cake recipe has been added to incorporate it!) Swans Down and Softasilk are the brands of cake flour that I favor (and they are not sponsored!).Whenever I can locate it, I prefer unbleached, but if that is not possible, I use bleached.
- Both brands deliver high-quality outcomes at an affordable price.
- Cake flour may be found on the baking aisle, just next to all-purpose flour.
- If you are unable to obtain cake flour, you can substitute this cake flour replacement.
2. Add Sour Cream
- Let’s add a creamy and light wet ingredient to assist avoid a dry, thick cake from forming.
- In most cake recipes, milk is called for to thin down the mixture and lighten the crumb, while sour cream is sometimes ignored in favor of buttermilk.
- In addition to the milk, a tablespoon or two of sour cream can be used.
- Of course, this varies from recipe to recipe, but you’ll find that sour cream is used in a lot of my cake recipes as well.
- Take this ingredient’s potential for strength into consideration.
- I also use it in my cheesecake and no-bake cheesecake recipes, which you can find here.
- Plain yogurt can be used as a suitable substitute.
3. Room Temperature Butter / Don’t Over-Cream
- I know I sound like a broken record on this one, especially if you’re a frequent SBA reader, but bear with me on this one.
- For recipes that call for room temperature butter, however, use room temperature butter instead.
- The majority of cakes begin with the creaming of butter and sugar.
- Butter has the ability to hold air, and the creaming process is the mechanism through which butter holds that air.
- During the baking process, the trapped air expands, resulting in a light and fluffy cake.
- No air Means no fluffiness if the butter is not fully creamed.
- A thick cake, to be precise.
- However, let us assume that your butter was at the appropriate room temperature.
- You started creaming it with the sugar, but then you forgot to turn off the mixer.
Over-creaming your butter and sugar increases the likelihood that the butter may trap more air than is necessary.As the batter bakes, the additional air will be deflated, resulting in a cake that is too dense to cut into.It’s all a matter of science!
- In order to achieve the best results, cream the butter and sugar together for around 1-2 minutes.
- Additionally, the cake recipe may ask for sour cream, milk, and/or eggs that have been left out at room temperature.
- Check to see that they are both at room temperature.
Because they are warmer, room temperature components will link together more easily and quickly, resulting in less over-mixing.Over-mixing results in a thick cake.(See also tip #6.)
4. Add a Touch of Baking Powder or Baking Soda
- When a cake is overly dense, it is tempting to believe that adding additional flour would absorb more moisture and soften the crumb.
- This is not necessarily true.
- In most cases, however, this is not the case.
- Baking powder or baking soda will most likely be required to provide additional leavening assistance for the cake.
- This advice isn’t really a piece of cake (ha!) because these two elements are quite specific in terms of science.
- If a recipe calls for a lot of acid, such as lemon juice or buttermilk, and it isn’t raised with enough baking powder, the cake will be thick in texture and flavor.
- If this is the case, you may want to consider adding baking soda, which will react with the acid and result in a fluffier crumb overall.
- Depending on the recipe, increasing the amount of baking powder or soda may result in a bitter aftertaste…
- As a result, avoid going excessive.
The amount of baking soda or baking powder I use per cup of flour varies depending on the recipe, but I often use 1/4 teaspoon baking soda or 1 teaspoon baking powder per cup of flour.Sometimes recipes ask for both baking powder and baking soda to be used in the same dish.
5. Add Oil
- The amount of moisture in a cake is determined by the proportion of wet to dry components.
- A cake will taste dry if there is just too much flour and not enough butter in the recipe.
- On the other side, if there is too much milk and not enough flour in the recipe, the cake will taste excessively moist.
- Finding the proper balance between moist and dry materials is essential.
- The next time you cook a cake and realize that it is too dry, you may add a small amount of oil to moisten it.
- Because my strawberry shortcake cake was tasting a bit too dry no matter what I did, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil was added to the mixture to make it more moist.
- It’s dripping wet!
- Some cakes are made with oil rather of butter.
- This is due to the fact that there is another tasty component in the dish, and the flavor of butter is not required.
Take a look at my carrot cake and pumpkin cake recipes.
6. Don’t Over-Mix
- Overmixing cake batter, as described in tip3, results in an excessive amount of air being introduced into the mixture.
- In the oven, the trapped air expands and then deflates as it cools.
- A cake that has been deflated is a thick cake!
- Only blend the wet and dry components until they are completely incorporated.
- At the very end, I whisk or scrape the batter with a spatula a couple of times to ensure there are no major lumps at the bottom of the mixing bowl.
- Don’t over-mix your batter, whether you’re using a mixer or mixing by hand.
7. Don’t Over-Bake
- In order to have a dry cake, simply overbake the batter! In all seriousness, though, overbaking cakes causes them to become dry. You may only have a 30-second gap between a flawlessly cooked cake and one that has been overbaked, so keep an eye on your cake at all times. Begin checking it around 1-2 minutes before the recipe specifies it should be done. Use the following as clues that your cake has finished baking: The cake should be slightly pulling away from the side of the pan when it is done.
- Upon insertion of a toothpick into the middle of the cake, it should come out clean or with a couple of moderately wet crumbs
- Gently push down on the cake with your fingers. If the cake returns to its original shape fully, it is finished. If your finger made a dent in the cake, it will take longer to bake
8. Brush With Simple Syrup/Other Liquid
- Even if things go completely wrong and you end up with a dry cake on your hands, not all is lost.
- Simple syrup, applied with a fast brush, gives hydration.
- After the cake has been allowed to cool fully, apply a thin layer of simple syrup to the top.
- You can also substitute Sprite (yeah, I’m serious) for the simple syrup if you like.
- To prepare simple syrup, combine equal parts granulated sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Allow the syrup to cool before brushing it onto the cake.
- Use a pastry brush to apply the glaze.
- You may also add flavoring to the syrup.
- When the simple syrup has finished cooking, add a few drops of vanilla essence, some freshly brewed coffee, lemon juice, Amaretto, or another liqueur to taste.
Allow it to cool completely before using.You may also add some vanilla bean, lemon peel, or culinary lavender to the cooling syrup to make it even more flavorful.Once the chunks/add-ins have cooled, sift them out using a fine mesh strainer.
- Because it is a very thin coating of syrup, your cake will not be too sweet as a result.
9. Don’t Double the Recipe
Never, ever double a cake recipe if you want the very best flavor and texture.Instead, double the batter’s volume.When you double the recipe, you run the danger of overcreaming (tip3), overmixing (tip6), or undermixing.Furthermore, the baking powder and/or soda may not be evenly distributed throughout the cake, resulting in bitter aftertastes in some portions of the cake.
Only use the amount of batter that the recipe specifies for each step.When I need additional cake batter, I make the batter twice– one for the first time and one for the second time.
More Baking Tips
- I have a few more courses in store for you! 6 Inch Cakes (as shown in the chocolate cake above)
- Top 10 Baking Tips
- 10 Baking Tips for Perfect Cakes
- 10 Baking Tips for Perfect Cupcakes
- 14 Kitchen Tools That Every Baker Should Have
- Baking Powder vs Baking Soda
- Ingredients to Use at Room Temperature
Baking Made Simple has a newsletter subscription option. Are you a first-time visitor to our website? Getting started with this email series is a terrific idea. I’ll take you through a handful of my most popular recipes and explain why they’re so effective in the process.
The Basics of Baking a Cake
When children express an interest in assisting their parents in the kitchen, one of the first things they want to do is to assist in the baking of a birthday cake.It’s a smart choice since cake making is frequently a simple, straightforward procedure, and many recipes follow the same fundamental stages from beginning to end.You may tackle the task of creating a cake from scratch with great confidence if you understand the principles.This step-by-step demonstration will demonstrate how to make a chocolate cake.
Continue to the second of ten sections below.
Grease and Preheat
Grease and flour the baking pans you will be using before you begin baking. 8-inch round pans, 9-inch round pans, a 13-by-9-inch rectangle sheet, or even a Bundt pan are all possibilities. Then preheat the oven to the temperature specified in the recipe so that it will be ready to bake when you are finished. Continue to the third of ten sections below.
Prepare Your Ingredients
It’s critical to have all of the ingredients ready before you start mixing the batter together.It is common for cake recipes to ask for melted chocolate, so you should prepare the chocolate before starting to mix the batter.You may melt chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler on the stovetop, which is the conventional way.Other preparations for ingredients might include cutting nuts or grating lemon or orange zest, among other things.
Continue to the next section, number 4 of 10.
Whisk the Dry Mix
In order for the cake to have an uniform and perfect rise, it is critical that the dry ingredients are accurately measured and well mixed before proceeding. To achieve the best results, mix the flour and leavening ingredients with a wire whisk until well combined. Continue to the next section, number 5 of 10.
Cream Your Butter and Sugar
Before you begin baking, let the butter to come to room temperature first.When it has achieved the right temperature, continue to beat it until it is smooth and creamy in texture.If you’re using a stand mixer, slowly add the sugar while you’re creaming the butter.If you’re using an electric mixer or mixing by hand, begin by adding a small quantity of sugar at a time and continuing to mix until the entire amount has been combined.
Continue to the sixth of ten sections below.
Add the Eggs
After adding each egg to the butter and sugar mixture, thoroughly combine the ingredients until well incorporated. Continue to the next section, number 7 of 10.
It’s Time to Combine
Generally speaking, this is the point at which the chocolate, flour, and milk are added to the butter and sugar mixture for a chocolate cake.To begin, melt the chocolate in a double boiler.Make careful to fully integrate it into the mixture of butter, sugar, and eggs before baking.Then, alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to your wet components, mixing well after each addition.
Combine well until the mixture is smooth and consistent.Some recipes instruct you to add the milk towards the end; for the best results, follow the directions on your individual recipe.Continue to the next section, number 8 of 10.
Pour Your Batter in Your Pan
Make a layer cake by dividing the batter between two circular cake pans and baking them until they are just about set.If you’re using a rectangle or Bundt pan, use a large spoon to scoop out the batter into your prepared pan.The pans should be gently tapped on the counter to level the tops and eliminate air bubbles.Before baking, use a spatula to smooth the tops if they are not smooth enough.
Continue to number nine of ten below.
Bake and Cool Your Cakes
Bake the cakes for the specified amount of time and at the specified temperature in the recipe guidelines.Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes on a cooling rack, or as recommended by your recipe.Removing the cakes from their pans and allowing them to cool fully on wire racks before icing is applied Make certain that the top layer is not placed upside down on the rack; otherwise, grid lines will appear on the surface of the cake.Continue to the next page, number ten of ten.
The Finished Product
Once the cakes have been allowed to cool fully, it is time to frost them.Choose from a variety of icings, including buttercream, cream cheese frosting, ganache, and whipped cream.If you have two round cakes, place one on the serving tray with the top side facing up and frost it.After that, place the second cake on top and frost the top and edges of both cakes.
If desired, add swirls to the top of the cake for decorating.
A Handy Guide to Baking Times and Pan Sizes
A majority of homemade two-layer cake mixes will fit into the pans listed below.Make careful you only fill the baking pans halfway in order to achieve equal baking.More than that and you run the danger of the batter overflooding and spilling onto the counter.If you have any remaining cake batter, either refrigerate it and use it within 2 days, or use it to create cupcakes with the rest of the leftover batter.
If you decide to create cupcakes, make sure to fill the empty cupcake holders partly with water before baking the dough in them.To bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven, follow these steps:
Cake Making Tips
- These helpful hints will ensure that every time you bake, you will produce a delectable treat: Before preheating your oven, make sure to completely read the recipe instructions. It is possible that the baking powder you thought you had has ″magically″ transformed into baking soda, or vice versa. Understanding the recipe thoroughly before you begin can go a long way toward ensuring that your baking project is a success.
- Make sure to measure all of your ingredients precisely. Baking a delicious cake is dependent on the proper chemical reactions taking place. If you want a beautiful cake, nothing beats half of it adhering to the pan. It’s not like making a stir-fry, where you can just chuck in any dry ingredient or too much liquid unless you want a cake disaster. Follow the recipe’s instructions for preparing the pan, including greasing and flouring it. Don’t be concerned if your cake does become stuck to the pan. The icing can be used to mask any flaws if the cake is only a little bit messed up in a few areas. Otherwise, make a trifle out of it since shiny metal pans and dark metal pans cook in different ways. The outside of the cake cooks more quickly in dark pans than it does in shining pans. Recognize your pans and make the necessary adjustments: When using a dark metal pan, reduce the temperature of the oven by 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not allow the baking pans to come into contact with each other or the oven walls. Because of the increased heat, certain portions of the pan may cook more quickly. Make sure you have enough room in your oven for the cakes to bake without touching anything else for the best results. Allowing the cake to cool fully before frosting it will make frosting the cake much simpler. In general, the longer you let the cake sit, the less likely it is that it will crumble when you are frosting it. The cake holds together even better when it is cold, so feel free to wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for 30 to 45 minutes before icing.
- If you wish to torte the cake (that is, slice it horizontally), mark the centre of the cake with toothpicks before proceeding. To cut into the middle of the pumpkin, use a long serrated knife. Another method for dividing the cake into two layers is to use a very long length of dental floss and draw it through the middle of the cake. Make the cake layer a little more rigid by placing it in the refrigerator prior before cutting it.
- The cake should be stored in accordance with the recipe’s instructions. Ice cream cakes with buttercream icing should be kept refrigerated to preserve their freshness. Refrigerated cakes have a tendency to dry up, so consume them within a few days of making them. It is best to keep a cake in a glass cake container that can be placed on the kitchen counter
- cake layers freeze wonderfully in this container. Wrap each layer in plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. After that, store the cake layer or layers in resealable freezer bags to keep them fresh. The flavors of the unfrosted layers will last for at least 3 months after being baked.
- If you wish to freeze a cake that has already been iced, place it in the freezer on a baking sheet coated with aluminum foil. Place it in the freezer for at least 8 hours or overnight. Wrap it in plastic wrap when it has been frozen solid. Place the cake in a freezer bag or other container after it has been wrapped.
IELTS SPEAKING PART 1 CAKES [ANSWERS]
Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test Cakes: The most current subject in 2020 is about baking or eating cakes.The following are typical responses to the four questions concerning cakes that were asked.Due to the fact that we are all familiar with this particular type of dessert, it is not difficult to discuss about.Every time we celebrate a significant milestone in our life, we all indulge in a piece of cake.
As a result, this topic should be a piece of cake to master!Get some inspiration from this article by looking at how the responses are constructed.Every answer should be scrutinized for the topic vocabulary terms and collocations that are employed.Never forget to build your confidence when answering questions in order to get your desired band score, or perhaps a band 9.0 if you are fortunate enough.You are capable of completing the task!PART 1: TASTE THE CAKE Do you enjoy baking and eating cakes?
- (Answer number one) Yes, without a doubt!
- I have a sweet taste, and cakes are my favorite type of treat to indulge in on occasion.
- In fact, I never miss the opportunity to keep a few cakes in the refrigerator.
- Eating a piece of cake after a meal is the sweetest thing on the planet!
(Answer 2)I’m not a huge admirer of cakes since I don’t eat sweets very often.In fact, I’m terrified of becoming obese since, as we all know, excessive sugar consumption is the primary cause of obesity.To be really honest, I’m quite concerned of my weight since I want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which is the primary reason why I never eat cakes.(Answer 3)I cannot claim that I enjoy eating cakes; yet, when cake is given, a slice is more than enough for me to satisfy my sweet need.
Actually, I prefer ice cream over cakes when it comes to dessert.A type of dessert that I can do without is cakes.(A) sweet tooth is defined as a strong preference for consuming sweet foods.
- Heaven on Earth is a scenario or state that is extremely nice or delightful.
- A big fan is someone who is extremely enthusiastic about something.
- The culprit is the person or thing who is responsible for the situation.
- Maintain a healthy weight in order to be healthy.
- Live without something– to be able to exist or get by without something on which one feels reliant TIPSi.) First, the speaker provided a straightforward affirmative response in which he defined his like for sweet foods in a very expressive manner.
- He then went on to provide further specifics in his response by indicating that he had cakes at home in storage.
- He concluded his response with another another brilliant expression that perfectly captured his enthusiasm for cakes.
- ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker delivered a negative response with a very nice look on his or her face.
- His reasoning for doing so was that he was concerned about gaining too much weight if he indulged in the cake.
- His answer, which was centered on his health, provided excellent support for his point.
iii.) ANSWER 3: Although the speaker stated that he is not a big fan of cake, he would accept it if it were offered to him or served to him.Afterwards, he switched from talking about cakes to talking about ice cream as his favorite type of dessert instead.He was able to add a few additional details to his response as a result of that type of response.Do you know how to make a cake from scratch?(Answer 1) Yes, I do, and I work as a pastry chef in the industry.
- I’m presently employed at one of the top cafés in this area, and baking is a regular part of my daily job routine.
- (Answer 2)Unfortunately, this is not the case!
- I just enjoy eating cakes, but the thought of baking has never occurred to me.
- I imagine it would be time-consuming, and I’m not really interested in giving it a shot.
- 3) Yes, I do, but I do not consider myself to be an expert in the field.
- When it comes to baking cakes or cookies, I rely heavily on reading ‘how-to articles’ or viewing tutorial videos on YouTube.
- But I’m confident that with consistent practice, I’ll be able to master it in the not-to-distant future.
- DICTIONARY RESOURCE A professional is someone who is knowledgeable and skillful.
- A pastry chef is a professional cook who specializes in the preparation of sweets.
- Never cross one’s mind– a phrase used to indicate that one is not considering anything.
- Tedious is an adjective that means ″boring″ or ″dull.″ reliant – reliant on another Constant– continuous Get the hang of something– to learn how to do something, especially when something is not simple or obvious TIPSi.) ANSWER 1: The speaker gave a positive answer directly and talked about his profession being a pastry chef.
- He gave the examiner an idea about his role at work that made him expressed his answer smoothly.
- As a result, he sounded very natural.
- ii.) ANSWER 2: The speaker gave a direct negative answer and shared his belief about baking.
- Notice how he used some very good expressions or vocabulary words in his answer – they helped him expressed his answer smoothly and naturally.