Tips and Tricks

 I'll be updating this post from time to time when I come across (or remember) tips and tricks that help in the kitchen.

*If I can use a box cake/brownie/muffin mix I will. No point in reinventing the wheel, and in my book, if you have to add eggs, oil, and water it's still pretty close to homemade. I tried to make a red velvet cake from scratch once, and it was not pretty.

*Because of my lack of understanding the chemistry that goes in to baking things from scratch, I use a box mix whenever possible.

*When making cookies, always always always use parchment paper. Always. Am I being clear? Always! I use parchment paper for my brownies, bars, and cakes too. It makes life so much easier.

*Also, when making cookies, take them out before they look done. This will give you a yummy soft cookie. They will continue to finish cooking when they're cooling and you don't have to worry about over cooking them and them being as hard as a rock. 

*If you have a baked good that is a bit hard, toss a slice or two of bread in the container with the item/s. It'll soften them right up.