In recent years, alternative flours have taken the culinary world by storm, offering both gluten-free options and new flavors to traditional baking. Whether you're catering to dietary restrictions, exploring new tastes, or simply looking to add more nutrition to your baked goods, understanding how to use alternative flours like almond and coconut flour is essential. This guide will walk you through the most popular alternative flours, their unique properties, and how to successfully incorporate them into your baking, so you too can make some delicious Free From Gluten Brownies, Pavlovas or Cupcakes! 1. Almond Flour What is Almond Flour? Almond flour is made from finely ground blanched almonds, offering a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. It's gluten-free, low in...
Baking the perfect cake is a blend of art and science. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, achieving a fluffy, moist, and delicious cake can sometimes be tricky. Fortunately, there are several tried-and-true hacks that can help elevate your baking game, whether you're making a classic Red Velvet or a Victoria Sponge, these tips will elevate your bakes! Here are the top 10 baking hacks to ensure your cakes come out fluffy and flavorful every time. 1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients One of the most crucial steps in cake baking is ensuring that your ingredients are at room temperature. Cold eggs, butter, and milk can cause the batter to curdle, resulting in a...
Sticky toffee pudding is one of Britain’s most beloved desserts, a rich, indulgent treat that combines the flavors of dates, toffee, and sponge cake in a way that is both comforting and luxurious. Here at Jack and Beyond we've reinvented this classic and turned it into a delicious, rich cake! Not to be confused with our, jusr as delicious, Salted Caramel Cake! This quintessentially British dessert has become a staple on menus across the UK and beyond, but its origins are as rich and layered as the pudding itself. A Post-War Invention? The exact origins of sticky toffee pudding are somewhat disputed, with multiple claims to its creation. However, the most widely accepted story places its birth in...
Brownies are one of the most beloved desserts, celebrated for their rich, chocolatey flavor and satisfying texture. Whether that's the classic Chocolate Chip or something more adventurous like a Matcha Brownie, Brownies are loved worldwide. However, there’s nothing more disappointing than pulling a batch of brownies out of the oven only to find that they’ve sunk in the middle. If you’ve encountered this issue, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Sinking brownies are a common baking mishap, and with a little understanding of the causes, you can prevent it from happening in the future. Let’s explore why your brownies might be sinking and what you can do to achieve that perfect, even texture. 1. Underbaking One of the most common...
Cheesecake, with its creamy texture and rich flavor, is a dessert beloved by many. However, even experienced bakers sometimes encounter a common problem: a cracked surface. Understanding why cheesecakes crack can help you take the necessary steps to prevent it and achieve that perfect, smooth finish. The Science Behind Cheesecake Cracks At its core, cheesecake is a type of custard, and like any custard, it is sensitive to temperature changes and moisture levels. The primary reasons for cheesecake cracks can be boiled down to a few key factors: Overmixing the Batter: Overmixing introduces too much air into the batter. As the cheesecake bakes, the air bubbles expand and then contract as the cake cools, leading to cracks. This...
