Tips for Successful Baking
- Make sure your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature. An oven thermometer can be used to insure temperature accuracy. For even baking and browning in a conventional oven, the racks should be placed in the center.
- For best results, the butter, eggs, and liquid ingredients should be at room temperature when making cakes, quick breads and cookies. Take these ingredients out of the refrigerator 30 minutes and up to 1 hour before using. If short on time, the butter can be cut into pieces and heated briefly in a microwave oven until just soft. To bring cold eggs to room temperature, place in a bowl of warm water for about 15 minutes.