Real Baking with Rose Discussion Forums

Getting the perfect baked potato with a microwave

2013-05-16T08:50:12-05:00

I’m not sure if this falls under real baking or not…but I’m having real trouble getting the perfect baked potato. Embarrassing I know!

To me, a baked potato should be crispy (but not burnt) on the outside and soft in the middle. My microwave doesn’t seem to let me do this, as the outside always ends up soggy.

What’s your secrets for getting the perfect baked potato? Should I just give up on the microwave and stick to the oven? The problem with that is that my oven takes so long to cook anything.

Thanks!

Edit: Forgot to say which microwave I’m using! It’s a panasonic but doesn’t have a grill or anything, just a basic microwave:

http://microwavereview.co.uk/118/panasonic-nn-e281bmbpq-black-compact-microwave-review/

Fat Daddio’s 4 in. pans

2013-03-27T18:18:02-05:00

Hi, I’m new here. Has anyone tried baking in a 4 in. high cake pan? I know most recipes call for 2 layers using two separate 2 in. high pans. Since I’m a stickler for even torted layers and for reducing variables and increasing efficiency, I was thinking of using the higher pans and then just using a cake leveler like the Agbay Deluxe to get multiple even layers.

Any thoughts?? Would I have to increase the baking time or any other recipe adjustments?

Ateco or Wilton Tips?

2013-02-24T12:01:56-05:00

...a set or individual tips? If individual tips, which tips?

I’m ready to try decorating. I also want to pipe batter into cupcake pans.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Agbay Cake Leveler

2013-02-21T10:50:51-05:00

I saw this on another site. The people there seem to love it. I’m seriously considering buying this. Does anyone have experience with this cake leveler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcqcJE94JgQ

Nordic Ware Cake Pans ~ What to use when the cake starts sticking to the pan.

2013-02-15T14:50:25-05:00

Hi Fellow Bakers,
I had a wonderful Blogger tell me about her problems with her Nordic Ware Cake Pans not releasing after a few usages. Her cakes were sticking to the pans when she tried to get them out.
Chrisanne called the Nordic Ware Company and they recommended that you use Dawn Power Dissolve Spray to get rid of all of the residue in your pans.
You might not find it at the grocery store, try instead the hardware store.
They also recommended that you use Shortening and Flour, Baker’s Joy with Flour, or Pam with Flour to grease their pans.
Hope this helps,
Darlene

Cake Knives

2013-02-05T10:50:13-05:00

I’m looking for a cake slicer 12-14 inches long. I want it to make layers and to cut neat slices.

Does anyone have a favorite they can recommend?

Caso Baking Scale - New at Williams Sonoma

2013-01-20T19:26:27-05:00

I recently replaced an old set of electronic scales with a new product at Williams Sonoma - the Caso Baking Scale. I chose this product because of its functionality and the fact that it measures in half grams. I decided to be a guinea pig since I was the first to purchase the product at a local W-S store and there are no reviews on line that I could find.

So far, I like the Caso. The first thing I did was weigh a set of brass weights, from England with official certification, ranging from 1/4 oz. up to a pound. They were very accurate. I also did some testing to see if the half gram was consistent - so far not bad but the testing is incomplete.

I have a three month period to return the product and I am wondering if anyone else has tried these scale and would like to report back on them? And if anyone has different, currently available scales that they recommend for baking.

Thanks.

How to use an oven

2012-02-08T02:24:37-05:00

The standard oven these days come with bottom heat, top heat and a fan at the back of the oven. Problem is, the oven manual seems like it’s written by people who don’t bake much. How do I know when to use bottom heat only or top heat only or both heat w/o fan?

Best KitchenAid Stand Mixer

2013-01-04T06:07:57-05:00

I�m planning to purchase KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Does anybody recommend me Artisan KSM150 or Platinum KSM156 which mixer which is better? KitchenAid Stand Mixer will cost nearly double in Australia. I�d like to use my saving carefully:)

Cookie sheets

2012-12-17T23:47:36-05:00

Which are the best baking sheets?
Shiny, matte, with or w/o rim, thickness,
material…?
I want to order from Amazon, but I really don�t
know how to choose; there are so many options…!
Thanks in advance,
Silvia