February 17, 2011 - 8:37pm
New to the forum, new baking blog!
Hi there! My name is Leigh, and I'm a professional cake decorator--but I can't bake. I've decided to learn how, and I've created a blog to document my learning process. It's called LeighBakes, and you can get there by clicking below:
http://leighbakes.wordpress.com/
Follow me as I learn the art of measuring and mixing, and feel free to laugh at all the mistakes I make along the way. I'd also welcome any baking veterans who could offer advice when I screw up! I hope you stop by.
Looking forward to meeting you,
Leigh
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And welcome to TFL.
The best thing I can tell you about measuring is to get an inexpensive digital scale with a tare function. You can usually find one for under $30. That will improve your consistency from bake to bake and eliminate one possible source of error. It also lets you work with bakers math, which is a wonderfully useful concept and tool.
As a cake decorator, you will probably put most of us here to shame as you get accustomed to slashing the loaves before they go into the oven. There are some remarkably creative things that people (other than me) are able to do with a blade.
Do click on the Handbook link at the top of the page. Lots and lots of good information there.
Paul
Paul:
Thanks so much for the tip! That's a great idea. I've used a scale like that at the bakery where I work, and it definitely comes in handy when I'm preparing ingredients (which I do to help the bakers). As I get more and more fascinated with baking, I'm definitely going to be investing in new tools like that!
So far I've only experimented with sweet pastries, but I aim to move on to bread soon. I've fooled around with packaged bread dough before, and you're right, I do love twisting and braiding it...now if only I could make it myself!
Thanks again. See you around the forum.
Leigh