With the cost of living on the rise, families can learn to bake their own cookies and cakes instead of splurging on luxuries like custom birthday cakes. For someone who’s never switched on an oven or used a stand mixer, this might sound challenging, but it’s easier than you think. Your first attempt may not be perfect, but practice makes progress. Before you begin, here are a few essentials to understand!
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner. There’s nothing more satisfying than watching your loved ones enjoy a homemade masterpiece at a fraction of the shop-bought price. A batch of beautifully decorated cookies or cupcakes makes a wonderful gift or centrepiece for any occasion, from weddings to children’s parties or a simple cup of tea. On this website, I’ll share recipes for every event: from quick and easy birthday cakes, to straightforward muffins for afternoon tea, and a few sweet ideas for lunchboxes too.
Baking is also a fantastic way to introduce children to the kitchen. Some recipes here teach basic techniques, and there are plenty of decorating ideas they’ll enjoy!
So, what’s the best part of learning to bake your own cookies and cakes? The joy they bring! You’ll feel proud creating freshly baked cookies and cakes, filling your home with the lovely aroma of baking, and your friends and family will be delighted when you share them.
Before You Begin
If you’re a first-time or less experienced baker, success lies in planning and execution. Here’s what that means:
Read the Recipe
Then read it again! Understanding each step is essential. There’s nothing worse than reaching a point where an ingredient needed preparation, and you haven’t done it. This can ruin your bake, so read carefully!
Pre-Measure
Avoid mistakes by measuring your ingredients beforehand and lining them up in order. Cooking shows do this for a reason, it’s practical, not just for appearances. It ensures you don’t miss anything.
Set Out Your Equipment
Gather your hand mixer, stand mixer, bowls, whisks, spoons, whatever the recipe requires, and keep them within reach.
Check Your Oven
Recipes begin with an oven temperature, so preheat it correctly before baking. Position the shelves just above the centre for the best results with cookies and cakes. Bake one tray at a time for even cooking. If you have a fan-assisted oven, reduce the recipe temperature by 10% (e.g., 180ºC to 160ºC), as they heat up quickly. Ovens vary, so follow your manufacturer’s instructions and get to know yours. Too hot, and the outside burns before the inside cooks; too cool, and your cakes might sink. Avoid opening the door until at least halfway through, or the temperature drop could stop them rising. If unsure, a cheap internal thermometer can help.
Weighing and Measuring
I’m based in Australia, so my recipes use metric measurements. Spoon measurements should be level (not heaped) for accuracy, use a proper set of metric measuring spoons, not everyday teaspoons or tablespoons, which can vary. Don’t guess weights; digital scales are essential for precision and can save washing up by letting you measure directly into your mixing bowl. A measuring jug with small markings is key for liquids too. Check out my post about Essential Baking Tools for Cookies and Cakes.
