Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2020 19:03:54 GMT
I'd call myself a beginner sort of baker. I can do cookies and simple cakes generally without issue. I also make muffins on occasion. Oh and cheesecakes, again the simple variety. Pies are an issue, I haven't tried in years as it never worked for me. I have more baking experience now, but I am still scared to try it.
I have more time at this stage in my life and now in Quarantine 2020, I have even more (still working at home though). I'm also watching GBBO on Netflix and loving it and wanting to up my baking game. I think this weekend I might try a swiss roll type of cake.
I guess I'm looking for encouragement and advice. Does anyone know of any good websites for learning basics? Any online instructional courses or cookbooks you'd recommend?
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 13, 2020 19:11:01 GMT
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2020 23:56:51 GMT
Thanks, I’m checking it out now! |
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Post by mom2jnk on Apr 14, 2020 0:04:54 GMT
I love to get recipes and baking instruction/tips from King Arthur Flour's website: King Arthur FlourFor cookbooks, I recommend the America's Test Kitchen books... The Perfect Cookie, The Perfect Cake, and they have a new pie cookbook that I haven't tried yet, but expect to be equally good. America's Test Kitchen is my ole reliable when it comes to recipes. My family calls them "The Magic Cookbook People" because their recipes are always good. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 14, 2020 1:01:46 GMT
@iluvpink Is there something in particular that you want to try? Maybe if we knew that we could give you some specific pointers or specific recipes that are beginner friendly.
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Post by shelledpea on Apr 14, 2020 1:30:05 GMT
I've been baking for a long time and I bake a lot. That said, when I need new ideas, I often turn to Mel's Kitchen Cafe . In March, I used her recipe for French Bread to finally make some good French bread that doesn't take all day. Her tutorials are helpful if you need a step-by-step lesson. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 15:59:19 GMT
I love to get recipes and baking instruction/tips from King Arthur Flour's website: King Arthur FlourFor cookbooks, I recommend the America's Test Kitchen books... The Perfect Cookie, The Perfect Cake, and they have a new pie cookbook that I haven't tried yet, but expect to be equally good. America's Test Kitchen is my ole reliable when it comes to recipes. My family calls them "The Magic Cookbook People" because their recipes are always good. Thank you, I've checked those out before but never really had a chance to do much with them, I'll look into it! |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 16:01:05 GMT
@iluvpink Is there something in particular that you want to try? Maybe if we knew that we could give you some specific pointers or specific recipes that are beginner friendly. Oh gosh a little bit of everything really. I'm intrigued by custards, pastry with custard fillings, some of the traditional British desserts I've seen on GBBO, fancier cakes/tortes, breads. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 16:01:50 GMT
I've been baking for a long time and I bake a lot. That said, when I need new ideas, I often turn to Mel's Kitchen Cafe . In March, I used her recipe for French Bread to finally make some good French bread that doesn't take all day. Her tutorials are helpful if you need a step-by-step lesson. Thank you, that sounds like just what I need! |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 16:18:44 GMT
If you like the GBBO - there is a great Facebook group (Great British Baking Show Bake-Along). They are all so sweet there and very encouraging with lots of recipes and advice.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 14, 2020 17:10:27 GMT
@iluvpink Is there something in particular that you want to try? Maybe if we knew that we could give you some specific pointers or specific recipes that are beginner friendly. Oh gosh a little bit of everything really. I'm intrigued by custards, pastry with custard fillings, some of the traditional British desserts I've seen on GBBO, fancier cakes/tortes, breads. I haven’t really worked with custard at all but I have made different flavors of curd (lemon curd, raspberry curd, etc.) for cake or pie fillings, and I think that might be similar. With the curd / filling recipes I’ve made, you use either eggs or cornstarch to thicken them and you have to watch it pretty closely so you don’t burn it. I’ve also made a few different types of bread. With yeast bread, the big key for me is that the water has to be the right temperature for the yeast to bloom and grow, about 110°F. Too cold, and the yeast won’t grow. Too hot and the yeast is killed. The yeast also needs some sugar in the water to feed it initially. Once you have the dough mixed and ready to rise, it needs to sit covered in a warm place out of cold drafts. My oven has a proofing setting (100°F) so that’s what I use and it’s perfect. After the first rise, most need to be kneaded a bit, formed into rolls or loaves, and then covered and left to rise again in a warm place before baking. There is really nothing better than freshly baked homemade bread! |
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snugglebutter
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,566 
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Post by snugglebutter on Apr 14, 2020 17:28:27 GMT
I definitely recommend King Arthur Flour, especially if you like to geek out on the science of baking.
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,145
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Post by Just T on Apr 14, 2020 17:33:32 GMT
I like Sally's Baking Addiction. She does a baking challenge each month.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 18:33:19 GMT
If you like the GBBO - there is a great Facebook group (Great British Baking Show Bake-Along). They are all so sweet there and very encouraging with lots of recipes and advice. Ooh, thank you. I just submitted a request to join. |
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The Birdhouse Lady
Prolific Pea
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,589
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Apr 14, 2020 18:58:36 GMT
I definitely recommend King Arthur Flour, especially if you like to geek out on the science of baking.
I fell down the rabbit hole on their website. Now I want to try and make my own sourdough starter and bake bread!
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 20:53:52 GMT
I definitely recommend King Arthur Flour, especially if you like to geek out on the science of baking.
I fell down the rabbit hole on their website. Now I want to try and make my own sourdough starter and bake bread!
My 15 year old and I started one a few weeks ago...so easy! And easier to maintain than I thought once I got the hang of it. Making some sourdough pretzels today! |
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Post by kristi on Apr 14, 2020 21:13:34 GMT
I love Joy the Baker & think I will sign up for her pretzel & pie virtual class. Class |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 0:13:08 GMT
Oh gosh a little bit of everything really. I'm intrigued by custards, pastry with custard fillings, some of the traditional British desserts I've seen on GBBO, fancier cakes/tortes, breads. I haven’t really worked with custard at all but I have made different flavors of curd (lemon curd, raspberry curd, etc.) for cake or pie fillings, and I think that might be similar. With the curd / filling recipes I’ve made, you use either eggs or cornstarch to thicken them and you have to watch it pretty closely so you don’t burn it. I’ve also made a few different types of bread. With yeast bread, the big key for me is that the water has to be the right temperature for the yeast to bloom and grow, about 110°F. Too cold, and the yeast won’t grow. Too hot and the yeast is killed. The yeast also needs some sugar in the water to feed it initially. Once you have the dough mixed and ready to rise, it needs to sit covered in a warm place out of cold drafts. My oven has a proofing setting (100°F) so that’s what I use and it’s perfect. After the first rise, most need to be kneaded a bit, formed into rolls or loaves, and then covered and left to rise again in a warm place before baking. There is really nothing better than freshly baked homemade bread! Thanks! I've tried yeast a few times with not much success. However that was mostly before we moved into our current home and our old house tended to be chilly and damp. So that probably had something to do with it. AND I just remembered I have a proofing setting on our oven! |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 0:13:56 GMT
I definitely recommend King Arthur Flour, especially if you like to geek out on the science of baking. Thanks! |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 0:14:44 GMT
I like Sally's Baking Addiction. She does a baking challenge each month.
Ooh that's sounds fun! I've used her site before but don't remember anything about baking challenges. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 0:17:47 GMT
I fell down the rabbit hole on their website. Now I want to try and make my own sourdough starter and bake bread!
My 15 year old and I started one a few weeks ago...so easy! And easier to maintain than I thought once I got the hang of it. Making some sourdough pretzels today! Good to know! |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:01:35 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2020 0:18:32 GMT
I love Joy the Baker & think I will sign up for her pretzel & pie virtual class. ClassThanks! |
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