Want to store your homemade apple butter long-term but don’t have freezer space? Learn how to can apple butter and enjoy this fall favorite all year long. Without a doubt my most popular recipe this time of year is my slow cooker apple butter. And there’s really no question why! It’s incredibly easy and absolutely …
Baking Basics
New to baking? Trying to refresh on the basics? You’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re a beginner or veteran baker, it never hurts to brush up on the baking basics.
From knowing how to mix up a simple buttermilk substitute to knowing how to measure flour, here you will find helpful tips and how-tos for baking success.
Cinnamon sugar is one of the most useful spice blends you can keep in your pantry! Learn the best ratio for making it as well as ways to use it. Sometimes I don’t know where I’d be without my baking basics. I’ve saved myself so many extra trips to the grocery store by knowing how …
Curious about whether or not you can freeze the cake you just made? Use this guide to learn how to freeze cake, whether whole or sliced, frosted or unfrosted. Today I’m bringing you another kitchen how-to. If you’ve been around here for a while, you know how much I love sharing these posts with you. …
If you’ve ever had cookies come out of the oven looking a little less than perfect, give this trick a try. Grab a drinking glass or a coffee mug and learn how to make perfectly round cookies. I’ve told you guys before how TikTok is my new favorite social media platform. I get so many …
Chocolate ganache is one of the simplest and most useful things you can make! Using just two ingredients, ganache can be used as a topping, sauce, filling, or frosting. If you’ve been reading MBA for a while, you know that I love chocolate ganache. Whether I’m using it as a glaze for a bundt cake, …
Curious about caramelized onions? Learn everything from what they are, how to use them, and – most importantly – how to caramelize onions easily at home. There are a handful of cooking and baking basics that I think every home cook should know. These are things like how to make a buttermilk substitute, how to brown …
Do you find yourself overwhelmed by all of the different types of salt at the grocery store? Learn about the various salts used for cooking so you know what to look for next time you go shopping! I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up, there was pretty much one kind of …
If you love going out for brunch for the perfectly poached eggs, you’re in luck! Learn how to poach eggs and enjoy a restaurant-quality brunch right at home – it’s easier than you think. Long-time readers will know that I am a big fan of keeping a bunch of baking and cooking basics at your fingertips. …
Ever wondered how to toast coconut? Making it yourself is the easiest thing to do! Learn 3 simple methods for taking your shredded coconut to the next level. Toasted coconut is one of my favorite ingredients to add to baked goods. Although I love me some coconut straight from the bag, toasted coconut is definitely …
Homemade vanilla extract is simple to make and is a great gift for all of the bakers in your life! Read on for details on how to make and store your own vanilla extract, as well as a free printable label template. This post contains affiliate links. I would guess that since you are reading …
Making a cake but don’t have any cake flour on hand? Use your all-purpose flour to make this cake flour substitute and save yourself a trip to the grocery store. This post contains affiliate links. It’s no secret that I love a good baking substitution hack. Whether it’s knowing how to whip up a buttermilk …
Roasted garlic makes your kitchen smell heavenly and is incredible in everything from mashed potatoes to aioli. Learn how to roast garlic so you can add it to all of your favorite dishes. There are a lot of baking tips and tricks out there that are helpful for beginner and advanced bakers alike. Some of …
About to whip up a batch of your favorite frosting only to realize you ran out of powdered sugar? Learn how to make powdered sugar with two simple ingredients to save the day! This post contains affiliate links. As much as I try to stay on top of my grocery lists and keep a well-stocked …
What is brown butter and why is it used in recipes? Learn about the magic of this simple yet flavorful ingredient and learn how to brown butter to add a nutty flavor to so many of your recipes. Brown butter is one of those ingredients that sounds so fancy and posh. Before I knew how …
Excited to make a recipe only to discover that your brown sugar is hard as a rock? Learn how to soften brown sugar with 4 simple methods, plus a tip for keeping your brown sugar soft so this never happens again. This post contains affiliate links. If you think that being a full-time baking blogger …
Having trouble with getting your baked goods to turn out correctly? Sometimes the solution is simpler than you think! Learn how to measure flour correctly to avoid some basic baking errors. This post contains affiliate links. As a food blogger, I try to provide my readers with great recipes that have been tested thoroughly in …
In the middle of making a recipe only to realize you’re out of brown sugar? Not to worry, try this simple brown sugar substitute in a pinch! This post contains affiliate links. There have been far too many times when I’ve been smack in the middle of making a recipe only to realize I am …
Hard boiled eggs giving you trouble? Learn how to hard boil eggs on the stove or in the Instant Pot, plus tips for peeling and storing your eggs. This post contains affiliate links. If you grew up learning to cook and bake from your mom or grandmother, or even a beloved aunt or next-door neighbor, …
Homemade Ranch Seasoning is easy to make and convenient to keep on hand. Use it for dips and dressings or in any recipe that calls for a packet of ranch seasoning. My girl is obsessed with all things ranch. And while she’s loved Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing as a dip for fresh veggies for years, …
Got a craving for a baked potato with all the fixings? Learn how to bake potatoes at home and you’ll never need to head to a restaurant for a perfectly fluffy potato again! Who else loves a fluffy restaurant baked potato? There’s just something about ordering a steak at a restaurant with a baked potato …
Did you forget to pick up buttermilk at the store? Once you know 4 easy methods for how to make buttermilk, you’ll be able to whip up a quick and easy substitute in just a few minutes. Do you ever just get a dessert craving and have to make something right then? Obviously I’m a …
Did you know that it’s easy to make your own Butternut Squash Puree at home? This puree is simple and delicious, and as delicious on its own as it is mixed into other recipes! Well, it’s still hot here in Ohio, so it doesn’t exactly feel like fall yet. But I am choosing to ignore …
Have a recipe that calls for self-rising flour but can’t find it at the store? No problem! Learn how to make self-rising flour with all-purpose flour and two more simple ingredients. I love having a well-stocked pantry, fridge and baking cabinet. But no matter how well stocked I keep my kitchen, there are simply times …
Making whipped cream at home is one of the easiest things you’ll ever do. If you’ve ever been curious about how to make homemade whipped cream, look no further! Have you ever wondered how to make homemade whipped cream? Listen, I’m no stranger to the tall can. In fact, when I was pregnant, I was …