As a baker, trying out new ingredients is a fantastic way to create better bread, cookies, and cakes. This can be an exciting experience, but it also has its fair share of challenges.
Baking is a science, and every ingredient plays an important role in the structure, flavor, and texture of your baked goods. Experimenting with a new ingredient can be daunting, but there are a few things you can do to make the process easier and to ensure successful results!
1. One Ingredient at a Time
When you’re just getting started in baking out of your comfort zone, it’s best to take on one new ingredient at a time. Go with a recipe that you know and love, and focus on adding new flavors and inclusions first, before making big changes that affect the structure of your baked goods.
For example, when baking your favorite cake, stick to your basic batter, but experiment with new inclusions, like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chunks, and raisins. You can also play around with flavor by switching spices, from lemon zest to orange zest or cinnamon to clove.
2. Bake With a Buddy
Sometimes, all you need is a friendly face and a helping hand to lessen the fear factor of trying a new ingredient. Invite your neighbor, sibling, or partner to your kitchen, and bond as you bake!
The presence of a fellow baker can boost your confidence when you’re not so sure about how to use a new ingredient and what to pair it with. You can even draw from their experience and realize that whipping up tasty treats from unfamiliar items is easier than you think!
3. Look and Learn at the Grocery Store
You might be surprised to discover that plenty of new-to-you baking ingredients are within arm’s reach at the grocery store, all you have to do is look! On your next shopping trip, take time to browse the shelves you don’t normally pass by, as you might find an interesting ingredient to try.
Can’t find a new ingredient in your regular grocery store? Take a trip to a local Asian, Indian, or European market and see what you can find! Look at what other bakers are getting, ask for suggestions, or pull out your smartphone to help you understand the ingredients before buying.
It takes only a few seconds to look up an ingredient you’ve never tried before and to find out multiple ways to bake with it. You never know, it might turn out to be your new favorite.
4. Get Creative With Classics
Whether it’s your grandma’s chocolate chip cookies, your mom’s apple pie, or your best friend’s fudge brownies, classic recipes are a perfect opportunity to try something new!
Use the existing recipe as a starting point—from there, feel free to make changes. For example, you can use your favorite coffee cake recipe, but this time, try out a different topping, like rhubarb streusel, caramel sauce, crunchy almonds, or a walnut and espresso glaze.
You can even make healthier versions of classic baked goods by switching an old ingredient with a new one! If you’re tired of the same old sugar in your cakes, maybe cinnamon, vanilla, or almond extract can open up a whole new world of flavor possibilities for your baked goods.
It can also be as simple as replacing the canned fruit in your classic recipe with a unique fresh fruit from your local supermarket for a flavor twist.
5. Yes to Patience, No to Perfectionism
One of the most important tips in baking with new ingredients is—give it time! The more you bake outside of your comfort zone, the more you’ll know your way around toppings, textures, and ingredient substitutions that were once unfamiliar to you.
Sure, it might take some trial and error before you master using an exotic spice or a foreign flavor in your cookies and cakes, and that’s okay! Put your perfectionism on hold and enjoy the process, from selecting your mystery ingredient to finding the right recipe and tasting the result.
6. Make It a Habit
Transform your fear into fun by starting a 30-day new ingredient challenge! Try baking your tried and tested recipes using one or two new ingredients each week, and share your one-of-a-kind creations with a supportive friend or family member.
For culinary inspiration, dive into your seldom-used cookbooks and see what unique ingredient catches your eye. It can also be helpful to talk to fellow bakers, you never know what piece of wisdom you might find that can take your baked goods to the next level.
Before you know it, experimenting with diverse ingredients and flavors will be second nature, and you may find it hard to stop. So don’t be afraid to make the kitchen your playground!
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.
Phillip
Saturday 12th of October 2024
Whenever I am baking, I use a journal to keep track of the results. It can be helpful to make comments regarding the outcome and what might work better next time. Also, it's crucial to weight out all ingredients, including liquids. Of course, oven temperature, time baking, what type of bakeware was used, etc. are important.