How Can I Make My Baking More Exciting?

Have you ever wondered how to make your baking more exciting? There is nothing better than a perfect cake or batch of cupcakes, and the good news is that there are lots of ways to liven up your baking without spending a fortune.

Learn New Skills

When it comes to making your own cupcakes, cookies, pies and other bakes, why not learn some new techniques? If you are planning a cake for a birthday, Christmas or another celebration, you could take a class or follow a guide to learn how to bake from scratch. Using good-quality ingredients will also help you get better results.

Choose the Right Flavourings

Choosing the right flavouring is key and will make your cakes taste even better. For more information on Organic Vanilla Extract, consider Organic vanilla extract from Foodie Flavours.

Have Fun Decorating

Decorating the top of your cupcakes with frosting is a lot of fun and can be as colourful as you like. Try piping different shapes, adding sprinkles or using edible flowers.

Try a Decorating Kit

If you want to really make baking an adventure, you could buy a cake decorating kit. These usually come with everything you need to decorate cupcakes and other bakes, making them a great way to try something new.

Related: Using natural flavourings in your home baking this Christmas

Getting cream cheese frosting right

Cream cheese frosting is one of the easiest ways to make a bake feel special, and it suits carrot cake, cupcakes and cinnamon buns. Frosting is simply the American word for icing, but it is usually thicker, which makes it good for piping or spreading, while thinner icing is poured over things like biscuits.

The basic mix is cream cheese, icing sugar and unsalted butter, with vanilla extract added to taste. Use full fat cream cheese for the best flavour. Take it out of the fridge a little while before you start so it reaches a cool room temperature, and let the butter warm to a similar point so the two beat together easily. Always sift the icing sugar so there are no lumps.

Whip the mixture until it is smooth and creamy, then pipe or spread enough to make the bake indulgent without becoming sickly. The tang of the cheese balances the sweetness.