What Are The 7 Basic Ingredients In Baking?

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked goods wafting through your home.

If you’re new to baking, it can seem overwhelming. With so many recipes to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin. But the good news is, there are only seven basic ingredients you need to get started. Once you have these in your pantry, the baking world is your oyster!

1. Flour

This is the backbone of baking. It provides the structure of your baked goods. Try to use all-purpose flour to begin with, as it’s the most versatile. You can always branch out to cake flour or bread flour later on. Make sure to measure your flour accurately using measuring cups or a kitchen scale. Too much flour can make your baked goods tough and dry.

2. Sugar

Sugar adds sweetness and flavor, and also helps your baked goods brown. There are different types of sugar, but granulated sugar is the most commonly used in baking. Brown sugar adds moisture and richness to baked goods. Powdered sugar is used for icings and frostings.

3. Butter

Most baking recipes call for butter. It adds richness and flavor and also helps with browning. Make sure to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in your recipe.

4. Eggs

Eggs provide structure and moisture to baked goods. They also act as a leavening agent (along with baking powder or baking soda) in many recipes. Always use large eggs unless the recipe calls for a different size.

5. Baking Powder

Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps your baked goods rise. It’s a combination of baking soda, cream of tartar, and sometimes cornstarch. Make sure to check the expiration date on your baking powder, as old baking powder won’t work as well.

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda is another leavening agent. It helps baked goods rise and also neutralizes acidic ingredients like buttermilk or sour cream.

7. Salt

Salt is important for balancing out the sweetness in baked goods. It also helps to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients. Use fine sea salt or table salt unless the recipe specifies otherwise.

And there you have it! The seven basic ingredients you need to start baking. With these in your pantry, you can tackle almost any recipe. Remember to measure your ingredients accurately and follow the recipe closely, and you’ll be baking like a pro in no time.

Have fun and happy baking!