5 Common Baking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Baking is both an art and a science. Even the smallest mistake can affect the texture, taste, and appearance of your baked goods. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, avoiding these common baking mistakes will help you achieve perfect results every time!

1. Not Reading the Recipe Beforehand

This might seem like a simple step, but many people dive into baking without reading the entire recipe first.

Why it matters:

You might realize halfway through that you’re missing an ingredient or need special equipment.
Some recipes require extra preparation, such as chilling dough or bringing ingredients to room temperature.

How to fix it:

Always read the recipe thoroughly before you start.
Gather all ingredients and tools in advance to avoid surprises.

2. Using Expired Baking Powder or Baking Soda

Leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda are crucial for making cakes, cookies, and bread rise.

Why it matters:

Expired leavening agents lose their effectiveness, leading to dense and flat baked goods.

How to fix it:

Check the expiration date before using.
Store baking powder and baking soda in a cool, dry place.
Test baking powder by adding a teaspoon to hot water—if it fizzes, it’s still active!

3. Using Cold Ingredients (Unless the Recipe Says Otherwise)

Most baking recipes require room-temperature ingredients like butter and eggs.

Why it matters:

Room-temperature ingredients mix better, creating a smoother batter and better texture.
Cold ingredients can prevent proper aeration, resulting in dense or uneven baked goods.

How to fix it:

Remove butter and eggs from the fridge at least an hour before baking.
Place eggs in warm (not hot) water for 5-10 minutes to quickly bring them to room temperature.
To soften butter fast, cut it into small cubes and microwave at 20% power for 10-second intervals.

4. Using Low-Quality Chocolate

Chocolate plays a huge role in the flavor of your baked goods, and not all chocolate is created equal.

Why it matters:

Low-quality grocery store chocolate often contains more sugar and less cocoa, which affects taste and texture.

How to fix it:

Use high-quality couverture or cooking chocolate for the best flavor.
If you don’t have access to couverture chocolate, opt for a good-quality chocolate bar instead of cheap chocolate chips.

5. Not Understanding Your Oven

All ovens are different, and the temperature on the dial may not always be accurate.

Why it matters:

Some ovens run hotter or colder than the set temperature, leading to underbaked or overbaked results.

How to fix it?

Use an oven thermometer to check the actual temperature.
If using a convection (fan) oven, reduce the temperature by 20°F (10°C) from what the recipe suggests.
Keep an eye on your bakes and learn how your oven behaves over time.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Expect Perfection on the First Try!

Baking takes practice. If your recipe doesn’t turn out perfect the first time, don’t give up!

Why it matters:

Mistakes help you learn and improve.
Adjusting techniques and ingredients will help you refine your baking skills.

How to fix it:

Analyze what went wrong and make small changes next time.
Most importantly, enjoy the process—baking should be fun and stress-relieving!

By avoiding these common baking mistakes, you’ll set yourself up for success in the kitchen. Happy baking! 🍪🎂

Here are some great beginner-friendly baking recipes that are simple, delicious, and perfect for building confidence in the kitchen:

Chocolate Chip Cookies: a classic that can teach you so much about the science of baking! Try out my simple Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe!
Brownies: learn how to achieve a fudgy or cakey texture with simple ingredient adjustments.
Vanilla Cupcakes: great for practicing measuring and mixing techniques.
Cinnamon Rolls (Easy Version): a beginner-friendly way to work with yeasted dough.
No-Bake Cheesecake – Skip the oven and practice making a creamy filling. Try out my No-bake Lemon Cheesecake, or No-bake Biscoff Cheesecake, or even my No-bake Peach Cheesecake!

Check out my YouTube Channel for more delicious recipe tutorials! Made one of my recipes? Tag me on Instagram, I would love to see your creations!