1. Cake Mix
If you are a complete beginner with no experience in baking, then use store bought Cake mix. When you get used to the packaged stuff, try baking with proper ingredients. Make sure that the baking Soda and baking powder are not old. Grease the baking tin or bowl properly. Sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking sugar, cocoa powder and salt) three times. Do not over-mix the Cake batter.
2. Frosting Cake
Use Nutella, Chocolate spreads, Jams or caramel sauce to frost the Cake. Chocolate Ganache is easy to make. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. You can use a microwave to melt the chocolate too. Cut the chocolate into little pieces before melting it. Always crumb coat the Cake before putting the final frosting layer. When making buttercream try to ensure that the butter is at room temperature. Sieve the icing sugar before mixing. Divide the icing sugar into three equal parts. Add the icing sugar in three batches. While making whipped cream frosting, make sure that the whipping cream is cold. Pop the whisk in the freezer before using.
3. Adding Nuts And Dried Fruits
Nuts, dried fruits, and tutti frutti make the Cake vibrant. Nuts add texture to Cakes. Not only are walnuts healthy but they also go well with chocolate brownies. Tutti frutti makes the Cake colorful. Dried fruits add flavor to the Cake. Use Raisins, Almonds, Cashews, Pistachios, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Cranberries, Figs, Brazil nuts in Cakes and Cookies. You can chop the nuts and dried fruits or use them whole. You can soak them in fruit juice to get a Christmassy feeling. Using Apple juice or Grape juice is better. Coat the Nuts and dried Fruits with flour. Do this beforehand. If you do not do it, the nuts will sink in the Cake batter. Always add them in the last. Fold them very lightly.
4. Making Dough For Bread
When kneading the dough for the bread, always add salt in the last. Salt does not let yeast activate. Without activated yeast, the Bread will fall flat. It won’t rise at all. The Bread will be a failure. Use fresh Yeast. Try to use instant Yeast. Make sure that the Yeast has bloomed. Let the dough rest overnight in the fridge. The Bread will not taste sour or rotten when it is set to rise in the refrigerator. Kneading the dough well is crucial. Knead the dough for ten to fifteen minutes. Grease your palms before doing so. The Dough has to be a little sticky. 300 grams water to 500 grams flour is an ideal ratio for making Bread dough.
5. Practice Icing
Icing and frosting may seem endearing to beginners. There is no need to sweat over it. Learn the basics first. Buy packaged frosting and piping bags. Practice piping on a parchment paper. Use different nozzles and tips. You can make piping bags with milk bags, zip lock pouches, parchment paper, and plastic. Royal icing is easy to make. All you need is Sugar and Water. It is also very cheap to make. Try different techniques and patterns.
6. Grease The Tin
Grease the tin properly before pouring the batter in it. The Cake won’t come out otherwise. Use Butter or any neutral oil to do so. Sprinkle some flour after greasing with butter. Grease the sides of the Cake tin as well. You can also layer the base with aluminum foil. Foils are readily available at homes. You could use butter paper or parchment paper as well. Most bakeries do that. You won’t have to scrub the baking tin later.
7. Do Not Over Mix
Use a hand mixer or a silicon spatula to mix the Cake batter when you are a novice. Overmixing the batter harms the Cake. Do not under mix either. It will result in a lumpy and grainy texture.
8. Know Your Oven Well
Acquaint yourself well with your oven. Some ovens heat faster than the others. Some ovens take 15 minutes to bake a cookie while others take 10.
9. Follow The Instructions
Do not skip any steps given in the recipe. Follow the recipe diligently. Do not use any substitute unless the recipe states. Try recipes from known and trusted people.
10. Refrigerate The Cookie Dough
Chilling the cookie dough in the refrigerator is extremely necessary. The dough becomes easy to work with when it is cold. The flavor of the cookie is enhanced. Always chill the Choco chip cookie dough in the fridge before baking.
11. Keep It Simple
Do not use complicated techniques and recipe. Make simple stuff. Try making a simple vanilla sponge Cake. Try baking shortbread cookies. Learn how to make American Buttercream before learning how to make Meringue.
12. Use The Right Sized Tin
Do not use a tin that is too small or too big. The Cake batter will overflow if the tin is too small to contain it.
13. Let The Cake Cool In The Oven
Do not be a hurry to take the Cake out when the timer beeps. Let it rest in the oven for a bit. The Cake might collapse otherwise.
14. Do Not Keep Opening The Oven Doors
Once you have put the baking tray inside the oven, do not open the oven until the Cake is done baking. Be patient and the stuff will turn out well.
15. Use Neutral Flavor Oil
If you do not want to use Butter, then use any flavorless oil like Canola Oil. Do not use Olive Oil or Sesame oil. You can use Coconut Oil in some dishes.
16. Use Curd Or Buttermilk
If you do not eat Eggs, then use Yogurt. Using Buttermilk or Milk andLemon also works.
17. Sieve The Cocoa Powder
Sieve the Cocoa powder well before mixing it to the Cake batter or cookie dough. Cocoa powder has lumps.
18. Use Chilled Butter When Making Pie Crust
Cut the Butter into small cubes and chill it before making the Pie Crust.
19. Decorate Using Fruits
Use fruits like Berries and Grapes to decorate the Cake. It is very refreshing.
20. Use A Toothpick
To check whether the Cake is cooked, use a toothpick to check how well it is done. You can use chopstick too.
