Baking Basics: A Link Roundup

I have always been much better at cooking than baking. I still remember how I used to ruin Pillsbury cookies. You know, the ones that you only need to scoop onto a baking sheet and put into the oven. Sad.

Over the last year or so, I've become a much better cook, but I think that part of my success is due to the fact that cooking is generally much more forgiving than baking. I can freestyle a recipe or substitute ingredients and the dish can still work out (most of the time).

Baking, on the other hand, is more like a chemistry experiment to me. (I should say that I was never particularly good at chemistry, though it probably didn't help that my chemistry labs in undergrad were at 8 in the morning. Nobody should make me play with chemicals at 8 in the morning.) Everything has to be so much more precise and there is a lot more room to ruin a recipe if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

While I have improved my baking skills enough that I can handle Pillsbury cookies now, and have ventured into the wonderful world of making sweet treats from scratch, I still have a lot to learn. I have been reading a lot of amazing food blogs and information sources from professional chefs online that have outlined a lot of great information that I didn't know. I figured there might be others out there who are novices and want to learn more, so I thought I'd start this link roundup feature of useful information that I come across.

While this particular roundup is about baking basics, I'm planning to share more links every once in a while on other cooking topics. I hope you find them helpful too!

Top 10 Tips for More Successful Baking. - The Kitchn

Think you know how to measure dry ingredients? I thought so too. (I was wrong.) - Sally's Baking Addiction

Learn how to bake muffins with high tops. (Now all I can picture is muffins with running shoes on.) - Sally's Baking Addiction

Check out these tips for making great cookies. Did you know the weather can matter? I didn't! - A Spicy Perspective

50 Tips for Baking Better Cakes. - Sweetapolita

Anna Olson's baking tips. - Food Network

Anne Burrell's Top 5 Tips for Baking Like a Pro. - Food Network

The World's Greatest Baking Tips from Dan Lepard. - The Guardian

A Blog Comment PSA

I love receiving comments, and I think most (if not all) bloggers would agree. However, Blogger has a feature that just drives me absolutely bonkers and makes me want to leave the page before trying to comment, and that is the word verification feature.

If you've visited your fair share of Blogger blogs, you've probably come across this feature. It's the terribly annoying thing that makes you type out two (usually fake) words before you can post your comment. It sounds simple enough, but they've managed to make this into the most aggravating exercise possible! Usually the word is a completely illegible squiggle. Plus, now they make you type in two words. At least now one of the two words is an image so it's usually more or less legible, but still. What a pain.

I'm Featured on the BBC Today!

Being a relatively new blogger can be a challenge. I remember when I first started this blog, I was a bit intimidated by all the other blogs out there that looked so polished and professional. I saw all of these linky parties and things that I thought looked neat, but didn't seem targeted to the things I would write about since most of them were for impressive DIY projects that I didn't have on the go at the time. I couldn't imagine ever getting the number of followers that some blogs have (and still can't!). I didn't even really know what I wanted to blog about. It looked like fun, though, so I thought I would give it a try - and that it would be a good way for me to document all of the new recipes and projects I wanted to try.

Calling All Beginner Bloggers!

If you haven't heard already, Kristin at A Simply Klassic Home is putting on a month-long feature called the Beginner Blogger's Club (affectionately known as the BBC). She is featuring new bloggers (including me!) and will also be providing information and tips from other experienced bloggers. It started yesterday, so if you haven't already, stop by and join in the fun, whether you're a new blogger or a pro!

Blog Tips for Beginners (Like Me)

I have had some experience using Blogger in the past, but I am definitely still a relative newbie when it comes to blogging. I still have so much to learn, so I really enjoy reading blog entries and articles from established bloggers about how to improve my blog. I thought I would share a few of the helpful things that I have come across in the past few days.