Holiday Baking Tips and Tricks

Tip #1: Essentials for baking

• Fresh baking powder and baking soda

• Parchment Paper

• Baking Sheets

• Measuring cups, spoons

  • Use liquid measuring cups for oils and liquids

  • Use nested measuring cups for flours and solids

    • Important! Fluff your flour before measuring 

• Use large-sized eggs, unsalted butter and nuts, and pure extracts of vanilla or almond.

• Chill dough for cut-out cookies. Soften at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling out. Cool baked cookies completely before decorating.

• Leave about two inches of space between cookies on baking sheets so they don't spread into each other.

• Do not over-mix or over-bake cookie dough or quick bread batter. Also, properly pre-heat oven before baking.

Tip #2: Shhhh…make it healthier, they will never know the difference!

• Use whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour (whole grain bonus)

• Bake with healthier fats: Smart balance butter blend sticks, Land O’ Lakes Canola oil-butter blend

• Replace part or all of oil with fruit puree (Mott’s applesauce or plum puree)

• Sneak in a ground flaxseed and / or oats

• Boost the flavor and antioxidants by adding chopped dried fruit such as apricots, cherries, cranberries, dates, prunes or raisins

• Add small amounts of chopped nuts; lightly toast the nuts first to really enhance flavor.

• Reduce sugar by 25% (no one will notice)

• Use sugar substitutes designed for baking such as Ideal® brand or Splenda® to reduce the amount of sugar and calories.

• Keep in mind, it’s all about moderation and keeping in control of our eating. Happy baking!

Tip #3: Save time, save money

• Semi-homemade: Start with cookie and quick bread mixes and add your own touch.

• Homemade: Look for bar cookies, slice cookies, quick breads (cranberry, pumpkin) – recipes that don’t require rolling, spooning or shaping are fast and easy!

• Clip coupons – visit Meijermealbox.com for special printable coupons

Go to www.meijerhealthyliving.com for more great recipes.