25 Must Know Cooking and Baking Tips

One of the things I hate the most about cooking or baking is when I have a total flop or a not so edible meal that needs to be trashed.  It has happened more with baking recipes then with meals but either way it infuriates me.  Mostly because the thought of throwing a whole batch of food in the trash is frustrating and then you add all the time you just wasted.

Whether you’re a mom with little ones tugging at your feet or a busy woman who doesn’t have a lot of time these are great tips so you are not wasting time or money in the kitchen.  I am sharing these cooking and baking tips that I have learned and used along the way and they are extremely helpful.  Also, some of my bloggy mom friends are sharing some of their great tips for baking and cooking.

1. -Place lemon and orange slices  in ice cube trays and take out as needed, place in cup for some refreshing citrus water.
2. -For hard honey place it in a bowl of hot water until it has soften. Be careful if you choose to microwave it. It can “cook” and harden if left in their too long.
3. -Use butter at room temperature when baking. I know all the recipes say this, but I always forgot to do it and thought “ah, it will be fine, let’s bake anyway.” Then I “suffered the consequences”. I am now MUCH better at getting it out in the morning. Margarita at www.lifeatthezoo.com
4. -One way to soften hard sugar is to place a fresh apple slice, the peel of half a lemon, or a slice of bread in the sugar overnight. The sugar will absorb the moisture from the apple, lemon, or bread and rehydrate, making it soft again.
5. -Use eggs at room temperature.  Don’t stir too much, light fingers and use a bit of flair! Creative Playhouse
6. -Use an extra egg in cake mixes, pancakes, muffins, etc.
7. -Use a wooden spoon to keep something from boiling over.
8. -Use brown sugar in place of white for a fuller flavor (I cut down by 1/3 whatever the recipe asks for).
9. -When cutting up veggies ahead of time, cover them with a damp paper towel and put them in a baggie or wrap in plastic wrap and place them in fridge. This will keep them from getting soft and limp.
10. -Add a tablesppon of vinegar to the dough right after kneading (lightly knead it in) – it will help your bread not go stale as fast as it otherwise would. Rachel from Kids Activities Blog
11. – Use a rubber spatula to get everything our of your jars or cans.
12. -Cornmeal is great to use as duster flour for pizza crusts, adds a crispy texture.
13. -Have your husband do all the baking.
14. -You can freeze mashed bananas for future recipes in baggies. Make your own mix for a future use. While scooping ingredients for the first one, scoop dry ingredients into a bag for a future one. Attach directions to it and you’re all set. I do that with pancakes, cookies, and cakes
15. -Fruits like apples, oranges, bananas, tomatoes, pears shouldn’t be refrigerated, it dulls the taste.
16. -For a hard bread crust, add a pan of hot water into the oven. The steam hardens the crust as it bakes and the center will be super soft. You can see Rachel Millers Lazy Womans Bread recipe here.
17. -Use 7 Up (or Sprite/Sierra Mist) in pie dough to make it extra fluffy.
18. -To peel garlic cloves easily cut off the ends and it will make the peeling process easier.
19. Also put some butter on top of the bottom of your pie crust before putting in the filling to avoid it soaking through.Valerie Glittering Muffins
20. -Freeze your cake before you carve it into a shape.
21. -Add milk or cream to your breakfast eggs. It will make them light.
22. -Kitchen aid mixer can be your best friend. I love using it for all my cookies… Get all ingredients out before you start, in case you don’t have one. Jaimie from  Frog Snails and Puppy Dog Tails
23. -I use whipped cream as a frosting a lot – When using homemade whipped cream for frosting, use a metal bowl and put the bowl and the beaters or whisk attachment (whichever you’re using) into the freezer for about 15 minutes. (Pleasantest Thing)
24. -Place your left over wine in ice cube trays and then use later for recipes like sauces….
25. -For clumpy salt place uncooked rice grains in it.

What are some of your tried and true tips?   I must say my favorite tip is #13, my husband is great at following recipes (I am not).  If there is a 15 step recipe with lots of details I usually ask him to make it.