As much as we love buying fresh pastries from the local bakery, nothing can really compare to the warm comfort of our grandmothers’ home bakes. Those of us lucky enough to have experienced it will always remember grandma’s kitchen, filled with the aromas of freshly baked bread, cookies, and cakes.
The older generations may have done it the traditional way, but they had incomparable wisdom when it came to baking. After all, there’s a good reason their recipes were often passed down through generations.
For those of you who hold a love for baking, we’ve gathered some old-fashioned tips and hacks that will help you take your skills to the next level.
10 Grandma-Approved Baking Tips and Hacks
1. Vinegar for Fluffier Cakes
Adding a teaspoon of vinegar to your cake batter can make it fluffier. This old trick helps activate the baking soda, resulting in a lighter texture. Don’t worry about the taste; the vinegar flavor will disappear during baking.
2. Potato and Yogurt for Moisture
Grated raw potato or leftover mashed potatoes can be added to bread dough to keep it moist and fresh for longer. This is a great way to use up leftovers and improve the texture of your homemade bread.
In recipes calling for oil or butter, you can substitute half of the fat with plain yogurt. This old-fashioned tip adds moisture and a slight tang, making your baked goods tender and flavorful.
3. Test Baking Powder and Soda
Before using baking powder or soda, test their effectiveness. For baking powder, mix a teaspoon with hot water. For baking soda, use vinegar. If they fizz, they’re still good to use. This old-fashioned hack ensures your leavening agents are still active and effective.
4. Eggshells to Remove Shell Pieces
If you accidentally get bits of eggshell in your batter, use a larger piece of the eggshell to fish them out. The sharp edge of the eggshell cuts through the batter more effectively than a spoon or your fingers.
5. Homemade Cake Flour
To make cake flour at home, replace two tablespoons of all-purpose flour with two tablespoons of cornstarch for every cup of flour needed. Sift the mixture several times to ensure it’s well-combined. This creates a lighter flour perfect for delicate cakes.
6. Sticky Ingredients
For sticky ingredients like honey or molasses, coat your measuring cup or spoon with a little oil or warm water first. This old-fashioned trick helps the ingredients slide out easily, ensuring accurate measurements and less waste.
7. Bacon Grease for Flavor
Save bacon grease and use it in place of butter or oil in savory baking recipes like biscuits or cornbread. It adds a rich, smoky flavor that enhances the taste of your baked goods.
8. Sifting Flour Multiple Times
Sifting flour not once, but two or three times, aerates it and removes lumps, leading to lighter, fluffier baked goods. This was a common practice before pre-sifted flour became available.
9. Citrus Zest for Flavor Boost, Salt to Sweeten
Add a teaspoon of citrus zest (lemon, lime, or orange) to your baked goods for a bright, fresh flavor. Grandmothers knew that a little zest could elevate the taste of cakes, cookies, and muffins.
A pinch of salt in sweet recipes can also enhance flavors and balance sweetness. This simple trick can make your desserts taste more complex and delicious.
10. Use the Freshest Ingredients
One of the simplest yet most effective tips from grandmothers is to use fresh ingredients. Fresh eggs, butter, and baking powder can make a significant difference in the taste and texture of your baked goods. So always check the expiration dates and opt for the freshest products available.
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