The question, Are there any health risks associated with cookware and bakeware?, can be answered with a simple 'yes'. However, context is essential when trying to understand the relative or absolute risks posed by the various chemicals and materials used in their manufacturing. For example, a 'safe' product may become problematic if used outside of the recommended … [Read more...]

Starting out on the baking journey can be a daunting and confusing affair. Working out the essential baking tools and equipment for a beginner can end up being frustrating and expensive. The key problem faced when venturing into any new field is information overload. Trying to find out where to start, and how to develop a sensible plan to move forward, can be a difficult … [Read more...]

The types of cake pans and their uses represent a far larger topic than most people imagine. There are many types of cake pan (cake tin) and these vary in shape, size but also the material used to construct them. Using the correct pan for a recipe is vital, especially if you are a beginner. More experienced bakers can adjust on the fly but even then, the outcome may not be as … [Read more...]

There are several ways to make bread at home and, in reality, baking your own bread is easy, and the results can be excellent. However, like all things in life, a little practice goes a long way. The biggest hurdle is taking the first step, which is having a go! Unfortunately, people find 101 reasons not to bake their own bread. Here's a list of the most common reasons why … [Read more...]

There's nothing like the scent of freshly baked Christmas cookies to give you that warm, fuzzy feeling, and take you back to fond childhood memories. I remember standing in my mum's kitchen and looking up with anticipation as she took the baking tray out of the oven full of piping hot cookies. The smell was magic! It was then a case of roll up your sleeves and muck in to help … [Read more...]

Bread is one of the oldest types of food known to mankind, dating back possibly as far as 30,000 BC. The earliest type of bread would most likely have been flatbread. Bread has been a staple food in many cultures for centuries and has represented symbols of fertility, prosperity as well finding use in various religious ceremonies and offerings. These traditions have passed down … [Read more...]

One upon a time it was only a Master baker, with a long apprenticeship and years of experience under their belt, who could produce anything beyond a traditional round, square or rectangular cake. Baking a standard cake presented enough problems for most people, yet alone trying to tackle elaborate shapes, letters or numbers. Unfortunately, this meant the vast majority of … [Read more...]

Baking a cake for a themed party can be a daunting prospect, especially if the baker is a beginner. With so many possible cake shapes, sizes, flavours, and decorations, it’s hard to know where to start when making a cake for the occasion. So what is the best approach to getting started? Usually the person baking the cake will know the theme in advance. However, sometimes the … [Read more...]

A cake tin is a necessary part of the baking process and is the form that the cake takes. These tins play a vital role in creating beautiful baked goods, so knowing the best ways to care for your cake tins is vital. Advantages of Looking After Your Cake Tins A well-maintained tin: Outlasts a poorly maintained one. A longer service life means cheaper running costs and less … [Read more...]

The general rule to remember regarding how to convert the recipe between round and square cake tins is: Use a Square Cake Tin 1 size SMALLER than a Round Cake Tin, or Use a Round Cake Tin 1 size LARGER than a Square Cake Tin For example: The recipe quantities for a 6 inch Square Cake Tin are the same as you would use for a 7 inch Round Cake Tin. The recipe quantities … [Read more...]

The general rule to remember regarding comparing the volume of square cake tins to round cake tins is: Square Cake Tins hold approximately 25% MORE than Round Cake Tins This rule assumes 2 things: Both tins have the same depth (height). Both tins are the same numerical size. For example: A 6 inch square cake tin holds 25%  (1/4) more than a 6 inch round cake tin. A … [Read more...]

Ever throw away a cake because no one eats it after you sweated the whole afternoon baking one? Here are the top 10 reasons why your cake failed. 1) Taste The cake does not taste right. Either it is too sweet, too dry, too hard, or even tasteless. You may have under or over-added certain ingredients into the batter and hence you are getting a poor result. 2) Impatient You … [Read more...]

Square cake tins are available in a variety of sizes and the most common sizes are shown in the table below. Note that the most popular sizes for square cake tins are 8-inch (20cm) and 9-inch (22.5cm). This is followed by 10-inch (25cm), 6-inch (15cm) and then 12-inch (30cm) tins. The depth of most square cake tins is around 2 inches (5cm). Those termed 'deep' typically have … [Read more...]