Tips and Techniques Posts

Collage of Natasha against a tan background with various cake tools

Cake queen Natasha Pickowicz's favorite cake tools

A minimalist’s approach to pro-level cakes.

Apr 27, 2023
Sliced tahini pound cake with sesame seed crust

Turns out, crusts aren’t just for bread

Your cakes deserve a crust that’s crispy, crunchy, or just plain sparkly.

Apr 25, 2023
Block of fresh yeast in front of loaf of sliced bread

How do I bake with fresh yeast?

And can I substitute fresh yeast and dry yeast for each other?

Apr 24, 2023
Dough rising in a lidded 6 qt container

How to cover your bread dough the right way

For better bread, ditch the folksy method.

Apr 18, 2023
Sliced apple pie with container of Instant ClearJel in the background

What exactly is Instant ClearJel, and why do bakers swear by it?

For better fruit pie fillings and more stable whipped cream, we turn to this beloved ingredient.

Apr 12, 2023
Muffin pan full of different liners

The baking trials: What's the best way to line cupcake pans?

From paper liners to silicone baking cups to nonstick spray, here are our results.

Apr 10, 2023
Printed sugar cookies on a piece of white parchment paper.

"Printed" sugar cookies are the colorful decorating technique you need to try

No icing needed.

Apr 6, 2023
Velvet Pound Cake baked in a loaf pan and sliced to show its fine-textured interior.

Believe it or not, you don't always have to preheat your oven

Starting with a cold oven can yield surprising (and delicious) results.

Apr 5, 2023
A matrix of chocolate chip cookies made with different kinds of fats

Butter? Oil? Shortening? Which fat makes the best chocolate chip cookies?

Find your favorite flavor and texture combination.

Mar 31, 2023
Doughnuts being fried in vegetable oil

How to reuse (and eventually discard) your frying oil

Hot doughnuts are fun. A vat of leftover oil isn’t.

Mar 30, 2023
Chocolate Stout Cake

Things bakers know: Bake your layer cakes in a sheet pan

For flatter cakes and customizable shapes, I always bake my layers this way.

Mar 27, 2023
Oatmeal sandwich bread proofing in loaf pan

Ask the Bread Coach: My dough isn’t rising — what now? 

The best solution is patience. But if you don’t have that, there are some other tricks.  

Mar 23, 2023
Different types of sugar next to each other

A guide to different types of sugars, how to use them, and when to substitute

It’s a sweet (and confusing) world out there, so we’re breaking it all down.

Mar 21, 2023
The baked scone loaf, cut open to show the streusel inside

How to turn scone mix into an irresistible scone loaf

Loaf cake meets scones, lives happily ever after.

Mar 20, 2023
A simple, single layer lemon cake that's frosted and topped with candied lemon slices

Beyond juice: all the ways you can bake with lemon 

From zest to emulsion (and everything in between).

Mar 13, 2023
Cream of tartar used to whip egg whites

What is cream of tartar? And do I really need it to whip egg whites?

Even a pinch is enough to make a drastic difference.

Feb 27, 2023
Dough buckets full of flour

What’s the best way to store flour?

Ensure your flour is always fresh with these best practices.

Feb 23, 2023
Whisk folding batter

Things bakers know: Why a whisk (not a spatula!) is the best tool for folding

Turns out, it’s better at incorporating beaten eggs without deflating them.

Feb 22, 2023
Baker stirring bowl of melted chocolate with a spatula

We tried every method: This is the best way to melt chocolate

Microwave, double boiler, hair dryer (!), and more — here's what came out on top.

Feb 8, 2023
Honey-Beer Miche

You make good bread. Here are 8 tips to make it great.

A baker’s favorite tools for better bread.

Feb 7, 2023
Egg cracked into a clear bowl

Our best recipes and tips for baking egg free

Skip the eggs, not the baking.

Feb 3, 2023
Biscuit dough being folded like a letter

For the flakiest flaky dough, you've gotta fold

Adding this quick step to your biscuits, pies, and scones will boost those buttery layers.

Feb 2, 2023
Baker fill pastry bag set in a drinking glass

Things bakers know: A glass and a straight edge make piping bags mess-free

Claire Saffitz has two tips that take the stress (and the mess) out of pastry bags.

Jan 26, 2023
Proofing basket next to loaf of baked bread

A guide to bannetons, brotforms, and proofing baskets

Navigating these beloved bread tools and how to use them in the kitchen.

Jan 25, 2023