As much as we love homemade holiday baked goods, there was never a more stressful time to try baking. Between entertaining, shopping, and everyday responsibilities, cooking can feel more like a chore than a joy. Fortunately, some simple shortcuts can be game-changers when it comes to buying time and energy. From softening butter quickly to restoring hardened brown sugar, these holiday baking hacks will save you time (and sanity).
Gear Up for the Season With These Holiday Baking Hacks
No one likes to be surprised by a cooking mishap or missing ingredient. That’s why knowing these common holiday baking hacks can prepare you for any situation or time crunch and still yield delicious results.
How Do You Soften Butter Quickly?
Photo by TheKitchn
What can you do if you have dozens of sugar cookies to make but forgot to leave the butter out? Follow this easy Christmas cookie hack! Soften butter in under a minute with just your rolling pin.
Place a stick in a Ziplock bag, flatten it with a rolling pin, and scoop it out before adding to your ingredients. The butter will be soft, malleable, and easily incorporate other ingredients.
How Can You Warm Up Eggs Fast?
For easier mixing and better rising, many baking experts recommend using room temperature eggs. But since they’re typically stored in the refrigerator, leaving them to warm on the counter requires time we don’t always have. Instead, warm your eggs in no time with this easy baking hack. Fill a bowl with warm water and place the eggs inside for 10 minutes. The chill will be gone and they’ll be ready for the next step with little effort or time wasted.
What Can You Use if You Don’t Have Buttermilk?
No buttermilk? Try this professional baking hack! Replicate the lift and tang of buttermilk by using basic milk and lemon juice or vinegar. Just add 1 Tbsp of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and let it sit for several minutes. The acid will sour the milk, giving it the taste and texture of buttermilk to enhance your recipe.
What Can You Use if You Don’t Have a Rolling Pin?
Photo by PopSugar
Baking hacks for beginners often involve substituting professional supplies for what’s on hand. If you’re new to the baking scene and don’t have a rolling pin readily available, use an unopened bottle of wine or liquor. The weight of the bottle is similar to that of a rolling pin, with the same smooth, cool surface. Just wipe the bottle down before gripping it on either end to roll out your cookie dough or pie crust with ease!
Can you Salvage Hardened Brown Sugar?
Brown sugar can harden as its natural moisture evaporates over time. But rather than waste it and scramble for a replacement at the grocery store, you can rehydrate what you have. Soften your hardened brown sugar in the microwave or oven with either of these holiday baking shortcuts:
Microwave Method:
- Place brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl
- Cover with a damp paper towel
- Microwave for 20 seconds
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 300℉
- Wrap sugar in tin foil
- Bake for 5 minutes
And if any sugar spills while baking, a clean oven is minutes away with our easy cleaning tips!
We hope these holiday baking hacks save you the time and effort you need to enjoy making your favorite seasonal treats. Happy Baking, from all of us at Dependable Repair Services!
