There are some key tips to help you in the kitchen.  When baking the knowledge of these things come in handy to help you have the best experience possible.  There are small things that you can do to ensure that all your ingredients are ready to be used!  Download and print your copy to keep it on hand in your kitchen HERE!

1.  EGGS In a hurry?  Recipe calls for eggs at room temperature?  It’s ok, put the eggs in a bowl large enough to fit all of them. Run the hot water in your sink until its nice and hot.  Run some water into the bowl with the eggs and let them stand for 5 minutes. Voila! Eggs at room temp!

2.  BUTTER Butter supposed to be softened, but you forgot to take it out, huh?  No worries.  Stick the butter, still wrapped in the microwave on a microwave safe plate.  zap it on low  in 10 second increments.  Be careful not to melt it!  The recipe wants soft, not melted butter, if you melt it you will not get your desired texture.

3.  BUTTERMILK Don’t have any buttermilk on hand and need it now? Take a tablespoon of lemon juice (my favorite, when I run out) or white vinegar and add it to one cup of milk.  Let it stand 10 minutes. Stir before adding it to your recipe.

4.  MEASURE TOGETHER Most people (especially novice bakers) really don’t like to pre measure ingredients.  Trust me this is one of the best things you can do for yourself.  Sift together your dry ingredients (ie flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, etc) it’ll make the rest of your experience so much easier and you won’t forget anything!!!

5.  CAKE FLOUR Don’t bake cakes often enough to buy a whole box of cake flour?No problem.  Replace two tablespoons of your all purpose flour with two tablespoons of cornstarch for every cup of flour needed. Whisk it together very well before adding into your recipe!!

6.  THE OVEN Don’t for get to turn the oven on to the specified temperature of your recipe before you begin. Preheating the oven is crucial to some baked items-especially small thing like cookies, that need a nice hot oven.