12 hacks to turn you into a pro baker

If you’ve always dreamed of baking the perfect cake but never seem to make it work, look no further than these great baking hacks.

1. Avoid splatter when mixing using a paper plate

Simply cut a hole in the middle of a paper plate and place around the whisk to stop any splatter when mixing!

Source: Join Dark Side

2. Use lace to decorate your cakes

To get this beautiful design, place a square of lace fabric on top of your baked cake or muffin, and sift icing sugar on top

Source: Sweet Verbena

3. Use jar lids as muffin trays

If you find yourself short of a muffin tray when baking, reach for the jars.

Source: The Kitchn

4. Get rid of air in your cake…by dropping it

Before you pop your cake batter into the oven, drop it gently a few times on the kitchen counter to work out any trapped air in the mixture.

5. Avoid sticky situations when measuring

If you need to measure out a sticky substance like golden syrup or peanut butter, simply coat the container with a non-stick spray first!

6. Use wax paper to expertly decorate cakes

Instead of adding your decoration directly onto the cake, pipe a design onto wax paper then pop in the freezer. Once cooled, the design will peel away from the paper and can be added easily to your cake!

7. Or use a syringe filled with icing

This easy little hack will make small detailing a breeze!

Source: Flickr

8. Get a beautiful two tone effect by using two piping bags at once

This beautiful effect can be created by using two separate piping bags (filled with different colours) in one large decorating tip.

Full instructions can be found here: Our Best Bites

9. Shorten a baking tray

If a recipe ever call for a smaller baking tray than you have, fold up a piece of aluminium foil and place it in your tray.  Spread out your mixture as normal, stopping at your new edge, and bake!

Source: Food 52

10. Use marshmallows as frosting

If you’re looking for a new way to decorate your cupcakes, pull them out of the oven five minutes early and pop a marshmellow on each. Place your cupcakes back in the oven for the remaining time, and then allow to cool!

Source: Toni Spilsbury

11. Keep cake from drying out

Pop a slice of bread on top of a cake to prevent it from drying out.

Source: Baked Bree

12. Flip over a muffin tin and bake

Make cookie bowls by spreading the dough over the back of a muffin tin and bake!

Source: Life Hacker

What are your favourite baking hacks? Do you already use one on our list?