What is your best baking secret?

Combine ingredients as gently as possible without overmixing . Creamed butter and sugar should be pale and fluffy, never yellow and gritty. Butter temperature is a vital detail that should not be overlooked. Don't open the oven door until goods are done baking.

What is the oldest baked good?

The oldest known form of baked bread dates back to around 14,000 years ago , discovered in Jordan. This bread predates the advent of agriculture and was made by grinding wild grains into flour and mixing it with water to form a dough.

What are the most consumed baked goods?

Chocolate chip cookies are the most popular home-baked item in the U.S., according to 33% of survey respondents. 79% of Americans prefer to have their pie baked at home. 36% of consumers purchase their baked goods from a grocery bakery.

What is the five rules for baking?

Baking Basics: 5 Rules to Follow Read the Recipe Through Completely. At the risk of sounding way too basic, this one deserves repetition. ... Follow the Instructions Exactly. ... Ensure the Ingredients Are Measured Properly. ... Preheat the Oven Fully Before Baking. ... Measure and Prep All The Ingredients Before Beginning. Aug 25, 2021

What is the one big rule in baking?

#1 Read through the recipe Make sure to quickly skim the recipe before you start baking to understand the general flow and key steps. You can even make notes on the recipe or highlight key points to help you along.

What was the old woman baking?

The old lady was baking the cake for Saint Peter but the Saint Peter was not satisfied by the cake of her greedy behaviour and desire and changed her into a woodpecker.

How do you bake like a pro?

Most baking mistakes are easily averted by understanding the basics, avoiding substitutions, and following a few simple rules. Measure Properly. ... Invest in a good mixer. ... Use Room Temperature Ingredients. Check Your Oven Temperature. ... Don't Make Substitutions. ... Use A Light Hand. ... Understand Leavening Agents. More items... Jul 15, 2021

How did they bake bread in Bible times?

Bread was baked in small domed clay ovens, or tabun . Archaeologists have excavated ancient ovens which were usually made by encircling clay coils or from re-used pottery jars. The oven was heated on the interior using dung for fuel; flat breads were baked against the interior side walls.

What sells best at Bake Sales?

Cupcakes, brownies, and cookies are always winners, but any small, portable baked items are good bake sale ideas. Note that bake sale cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and muffins are easier to package and sell by the piece than are cakes and pies.

What is the best food to bake?

Balsamic chicken bake. Tuna pasta bake. Creamy potato bake. Spanish tuna pasta bake. 30-minute chicken parmigiana bake. Oven-baked mushroom risotto. Baked chicken and sweet potato with chickpeas. Layered vegetable bake. More items...

What baked goods are in demand?

Bread Remains the Strength in the Bakery Industry In North America, the market for bakery products is dominated by bread. However, other bakery goods, such as pastries and doughnuts , which have grown tremendously and are anticipated to continue expanding, have threatened its dominance.

The 14 best recipes to bake in July (2024)

People don’t talk about it, but July is actually one of the best months to bake. The market is overflowing with fruit that shines in everything from cobbler to shortcakes, plus there are opportunities to bake on the grill or enjoy childhood favorites outdoors. Here’s what you should bake (or in some cases, freeze!) this month.

1) Blueberry Shortcakes with Lime and Ginger

Summer instantly conjures dreams of strawberry shortcakes, but this year, zig where everyone else zags and go with blueberry shortcakes instead. These are taken to a whole next level thanks to the addition of lime and ginger, which add sharpness that cuts through the sweetness of the berries. One smart trick to this recipe: The shortcakes are made with a portion of almond flour for extra tenderness.

Get the recipe:Blueberry Shortcakes with Lime and Ginger

Shop the recipe:Almond Flour

2) Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

We’d argue that few things are more crowd-pleasing than an oversized chocolate chip cookie. This super-sized version is baked in a skillet for extra-crispy edges and a pleasingly gooey center. To serve, cut into wedges and top with vanilla ice cream, or simply add a few scoops of ice cream to the center of the skillet, hand out spoons, and let everyone dig in.

Get the recipe:Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Shop the recipe:Our favorite chocolate chips

3) Lemon-Blueberry Streusel Pie

If you stock your freezer with pie dough, summer fruit pie is always within reach. This single-crust beauty has a tart lemon filling, a layer of fresh blueberry compote, and, to gild the lily, some cinnamon streusel on top. Looking for a contender for your local pie contest? Here it is.

Get the recipe:Lemon-Blueberry Streusel Pie

Shop the recipe:The essential pie pan

4) Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars (Millionaire's Shortbread)

This bar is a beloved classic, and it’s easy to see why: Buttery, snappy shortbread lies beneath gooey caramel and rich chocolate. Each component is fabulous on its own, but combined in one bite? It’s somehow even more than the sum of its parts.

Get the recipe:Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars (Millionaire’s Shortbread)

Shop the recipe:Our go-to chocolate wafers

5) No-Bake French Silk Pie

Most chocolate pies are rich and heavy. But ifyou’re looking for something a little on the lighter side, choose this French Silk Pie instead. It has whipped cream folded into the filling, resulting in a fluffy, creamy, chocolatey pie. And the best part? Because it’s made with a press-in chocolate cookie crust, the pie is entirely no-bake.

Get the recipe:No-Bake French Silk Pie

Shop the recipe:More chocolate wafers!

6) Margherita Pizza

No one needs an excuse to throw a pizza party during the summer, but if you’re still looking for one, this new Margherita Pizza recipe is it. Made with '00' pizza flour, the crust is chewy and flavorful; a pizza stone or steel helps it bake to leopard-spotted perfection.

Get the recipe:Margherita Pizza

Shop the recipe:'00' Pizza Flour

7) Chocolate Zucchini Cake

It’s inevitable: Whether you’re growing it yourself or it’s foisted upon you by neighbors, at a certain point this summer you’re going to have too much zucchini. And when that day arrives, you’re going to grate it, mix it with chocolate, and make a cake. This fudgy delight gets a flavor boost from both cocoa and espresso powder, along with a simple icing made from chocolate chips and cream.

Get the recipe:Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Shop the recipe:9" x 13" pan

8) Monster Cookies

Oversized and full of savory and sweet mix-ins, these Monster Cookies will be on your baking rotation all summer long. The base of the cookie combines the best of oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate chip cookies, then adds salty pretzels and chocolate candies to create a chunky cookie that’s impossible to resist. These cookies are not only easy to make but also generously sized, making them perfect for sharing (or, let’s be honest, still enjoying solo). 

Get the recipe:Monster Cookies

Shop:A chip blend with every kind of chocolate

9) Easy Cake-Style Fruit Cobbler

Pie gets a lot of love, but summer is also cobbler season. This recipe is dead simple and infinitely customizable. You can use any kind of fruit or combination of fruits that you’d like (even frozen works!), then toss with sugar, cornstarch, salt, and lemon juice. Pour on a simple one-bowl cake topping — prepared with melted butter for speed and ease — then bake until hot and bubbling. Using self-rising flour in the topping streamlines things even further.

Get the recipe:Easy Cake-Style Fruit Cobbler

Shop the recipe:Self-Rising Flour

The 14 best recipes to bake in July (10)

10) Chocolate Biscuits

For some people, it’s always chocolate season. Embrace it with this dessert-friendly biscuit, made with Triple Cocoa Blend and mini chocolate chips, plus a little espresso powder to really amp up the chocolate flavor. And if you’re looking for a quick and easy bake with minimal cleanup, these are drop biscuits, which means there’s no rolling or cutting necessary. Eat them plain or turn them into shortcakes with fresh whipped cream and the fruit of your choice.

Get the recipe:Chocolate Biscuits

Shop the recipe:Triple Cocoa Blend and Mini Chocolate Chips

The 14 best recipes to bake in July (11)

11) Quick Lemon Bread

This cake-like quick bread comes together with just about 20 minutes of prep time and will satisfy any lemon craving. Lemon oil and lemon juice give the batter some zing, while the bright lemon glaze adds an extra burst of tanginess.

Get the recipe:Quick Lemon Bread

Shop the recipe:Lemon Oil

The 14 best recipes to bake in July (12)

12) Homemade Marzipan

If you’re looking for an all-purpose marzipan recipe, this is it. But that’s not why you should make marzipan this month. The real fun here is contributor Camilla Wynne’s whimsical marzipan fruits. Colored with natural food dye, the marzipan can transform into strawberries, lemons, apricots, pears, and more. Better make a double batch to maximize your fun.

Get the recipe:Homemade Marzipan

Shop the recipe:Almond Flour and Natural Food Colors Set

The 14 best recipes to bake in July (13)

13) Iced Coffee Icebox Cake

The icebox cake is a summer staple. This version marries coffee and chocolate for a creamy, dreamy combination. Bake your own cookies with black cocoa for an extra-dark appearance or take a shortcut and use store-bought. The espresso-spiked cream between them will make things fabulous either way.

Get the recipe:Iced Coffee Icebox Cake

Shop the recipe: Black Cocoa and Espresso Powder

The 14 best recipes to bake in July (14)

14) Grilled Asiago Rounds

Fire up the grill for flatbreads this summer. This simple dough uses semolina flour for extra chew and is seasoned with grated asiago cheese. Serve with dips for a fire-kissed appetizer or sliced tomatoes and kebabs for a heartier meal.

Get the recipe:Grilled Asiago Rounds

Shop the recipe:Semolina Flour

Cover photo by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne.

Additional contributions from Jessica Battilana.