• Cookie dough may also be frozen. Shape
into individual cookies, double wrap and
freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before
baking.
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper for
easy release and easy cleanup.
• Let cookies rest on sheets for 2 to 3 minutes
before removing them to a wire rack to cool.
This keeps cookies from wrinkling, crum-
bling or breaking.
• Cookies must cool completely before being
put into storage containers to ensure they
don't get soggy or misshapen.
BREAD BAKING
• One ¼-ounce packet of yeast equals 2¼
teaspoons yeast.
• Using milk in place of water will produce a
softer crust.
• After baking, you can soften the crust, if
desired, by rubbing it with unsalted butter
soon after removing it from the oven. This
prevents it from drying out quickly.
• If a recipe calls for a specific type of flour,
use the flour recommended. If you do not
have bread flour, you can substitute un-
bleached, all-purpose flour, but your bread
may not rise quite as much.
• Do not use "lite" or tub margarines for bread
baking – they have different structures and
they do not work as well in baking.
• Vital wheat gluten is the dried protein taken
from the flour by eliminating the starch. It is
a good dough conditioner or enhancement
for yeast breads, especially for whole-grain
breads or when using all-purpose flour. If a
recipe specifically calls for vital wheat
gluten, we recommend that it be used for
best results.
• For 100% whole-wheat bread, use 1½
teaspoons vital wheat gluten per cup of flour.
• Many bread recipes have a "range" amount
of flour – start by using the lower end of the
range, then add more flour as needed to
produce a smooth, not sticky dough.
• Using too much liquid, or baking on a humid
day, can cause your bread to fall or wrinkle
on top.
• An instant-read thermometer is helpful to
have on hand when making bread. It can
be used to measure the temperature of the
liquid for proofing yeast, and for taking the
internal temperature of the baked bread.
• Liquid for proofing yeast should be between
105°F and 110°F.
• Finished bread should have an internal tem-
perature of 190°F (enriched breads, those
that normally include eggs, are done at a
higher temperature, closer to 207°F).
CAKE BAKING
• Have all ingredients and mixing bowls at
room temperature. Room temperature ingre-
dients incorporate and blend more easily.
• Fill pans immediately after mixing.
• Bake immediately after filling pans.
• Check for doneness at the beginning of the
time range given.
• Cool cakes in pans until cool to the touch,
and remove from pans to completely cool on
a wire rack after baking.
• An offset spatula will make spreading
frosting easier than a knife or regular spatula.
EGG WHITES
• Egg whites at room temperature are best for
whipping. Bring to room temperature safely
by placing uncracked eggs in a bowl of
warm water for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add a small amount of acid such as cream
of tartar, lemon juice or vinegar when whip-
ping egg whites to stabilize them and allow
them to reach their optimum volume and
stiffness. Use
⁄
1
8
large egg white – or 1 teaspoon cream of
tartar for 8 egg whites.
• The time required to whip egg whites will
vary with the temperature of the egg whites,
age of egg whites, and temperature/humid-
ity of the kitchen. Keep a close watch while
whipping egg whites.
• In humid or damp weather, you may not get
the volume of whipped egg whites that you
7
teaspoon cream of tartar per