The Joy of Baking
Love cupcakes? Snag a few tips from Jessi Walter, founder and owner of Taste Buds and download two fantastic frosting recipes!
By Jessi Walter, Founder and Owner of Taste Buds
What could be better than a cupcake? There’s nothing better than heading to the kitchen to whip up this sweet masterpiece. Not only does baking cupcakes please your taste buds, it’s a great way to develop your skills and build your independence. It’s empowering and exciting to bake a yummy treat from start to finish. Plus, your creativity can run wild when you decorate your creation! Next time you’re in the kitchen for your own culinary adventure, remember to follow these tips!
1. Take your time. Baking shouldn’t be rushed. Before you start, take the time to choose and look over your recipes for both the cake and the frosting. Make sure you have all of the ingredients that you need!
2. Wash your hands! Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, you’re ready to begin. Always start every activity in the kitchen with clean hands!
3. Follow directions. Baking is a science. For your cupcakes to turn out well, you need to follow the directions. Take the time to read all the directions, from beginning to end, before you start baking so you’ll know what to expect.
4. Don’t worry about making a mess. With flour, eggs, and butter, you’re bound to have a few spills here and there—this is all part of the fun! Just remember to clean up when you’re done. You can also clean as you go, so it won’t be overwhelming at the end.
5. Have fun! Even though it’s important to carefully follow all the directions, there is always room to experiment with flavorings—especially in your icings and fillings. Try out different recipes and once you learn the basics, feel free to experiment and develop your own!
6. Decorating is part of the fun! This is the finishing touch to the cake. Use different icing tips and fondant to create a gorgeous creation!
7. Don’t sweat the small stuff. In the end, it’s all going to end up in your stomach (or those of your friends and families!) so don’t worry about making the perfect cupcake.Baking, like everything else, is a learned skill so just have fun along the way!
Download a delicious buttercream or chocolate frosting recipe here, and check out our latest April/May issue for a vanilla cupcake recipe—all recipes from Taste Buds!
