Tips and Techniques Posts

Bowl of flour next to bag of flour and small bowl of cubed butter

Hard vs. soft wheat: What’s the difference?

It all comes down to gluten-forming protein content.

Jan 31, 2024
Baker using spatula to stir a bowl of ganache

How to fix broken ganache

A simple solution when things go wrong.

Jan 30, 2024
Unbaked pizza on a peel

Why can’t I make a round pizza?

Having trouble with misshapen pies? Here’s how to make round pizzas.

Jan 24, 2024
Self-Rising Crunchy Sugar Cookies

Self-rising flour: What is it, and how do I bake with it?

It’s the key to soft baked goods and streamlined steps.

Jan 18, 2024
A jar of active starter in the Sourdough Home

Your starter is missing one crucial ingredient: temperature

A cozy Sourdough Home will help you make your best bread yet.

Jan 15, 2024
Two pizzas next to each other, one with a darker underside of the crust

How can I get a crispy pizza crust?

Better browning starts with your baking surface.

Jan 12, 2024
Bread dough proofing in dough rising bucket

Things bakers know: Proof your bread dough in this unexpected spot

The best place to proof dough is ... your laundry room?

Jan 4, 2024
Pizza with garlic butter, Parmesan, and herb crust

How to level up your pizza crust

The crust is no longer the most boring part of your pizza.

Dec 21, 2023
Sliced loaf of artisan bread

How can I freeze my bread? (And defrost it, too!)

Keep loaves fresher for longer by stashing them in the freezer.

Dec 20, 2023
Milk Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Cookies

Why are my cookies spreading?

Everything from your recipe to your oven may be the culprit.

Dec 19, 2023
Gingerbread Cookies

Things bakers know: The secret to cut-out cookies that hold their shape

It’s all about the roll and freeze.

Dec 14, 2023
Doughnuts being fried on squares of parchment paper

Things bakers know: To make frying a breeze, grab some parchment

For stress-free doughnuts, fry them on slips of parchment paper.

Dec 7, 2023
Rustic Sourdough Bread

A visual guide to bread baking

Just what exactly does “smooth and elastic” mean, anyway?

Dec 7, 2023
Baker chopping chocolate with serrated knife

Baking trials: What's the best way to chop chocolate?

A common kitchen tool makes all the difference.

Nov 29, 2023
Baker scooping white flour into measuring cup

Bleached vs. unbleached flour: What's the difference?

How to understand your flour’s label.

Nov 16, 2023
Baker holding whole blueberry pie outside of its pan

Prevent soggy bottoms in pies with these baker secrets

Top tips from Dorie Greenspan, Stacey Mei Yan Fong, and other amazing bakers.

Nov 6, 2023
Golden Spice Cake

Things bakers know: A cake frosting secret

A cookie scoop makes even fillings — and a more striking cake — possible.

Nov 3, 2023
Collage on tan background depicting Erin holding a pie surrounded by various pie tools

Pie expert Erin Jeanne McDowell's must-have pie tools

Including old favorites and a few surprises.

Oct 26, 2023
Baker removing proofed bread dough from bread machine bucket

You know one way to use a bread machine. Here are even more.

A bread machine is way more versatile than you think.

Oct 23, 2023
Glass sourdough crock on digital scale next to measuring cup full of flour

What if I forgot to feed my starter?

Don’t worry — everything will be just fine.

Oct 18, 2023
Scale with bowl of dry ingredients on top

How to measure flour the right way

It’s arguably the biggest key to baking success.

Oct 13, 2023
Decorated gingerbread houses

How to make a gingerbread house — and cute gingerbread people, too

The right cookie, icing, and cutters for whimsical and well-built confections.

Oct 12, 2023
Piloncillo next to puerquitos

What is piloncillo? This sweetener makes great cookies, pan dulce, and more

Use this traditional Mexican unrefined sugar for a dash of flavor and history.

Oct 10, 2023
Finger pressing into one of three sticks of softened butter

Baking trials: How to soften butter quickly

Does the best method involve your microwave?

Oct 5, 2023