So you've made a lot of beautiful cookies, bars and brownies to give out as presents but don't have that much pretty packaging. Don't worry; Anne shows you how you can use things you have lying around the house to make some gorgeous presentations. Save yourself not only stress ...more
Sprinkles are a gateway to excitement, whether it's a birthday party with friends or an ice cream sundae by yourself. It may seem like these colorful creations can only come from the grocery store, but it's actually pretty easy to make beautiful sprinkles in your own kitchen. ...more
Baking powder and baking soda are two staples almost everyone has around that seem to last forever. But a lot of people don't know that they eventually start to lose their potency after enough time on the shelf. If you can't remember when you bought it, it's probably time for ...more
What is gluten, why do some people think it is pure culinary evil, and why are there more and more products devoted to being free of this mysterious substance? Here's what one person thinks: What Is Gluten Really? Gluten is a protein found in wheat (including lesser-known spe ...more
Eggs are incredibly important to cooks, and not just because they're tasty and a complete protein (many erratic genius/artist types make a point of eating an egg or two for breakfast). Yes, they are great when perfectly poached, scrambled, hard-boiled, and even scram-boiled, b ...more
During the holiday season you're probably more than used to seeing baked goods at your grocery store shaped into wee little Christmas trees or Rudolphs. But what if you celebrate Hannukah? Chances are there are going to be few Star of David themed baked goods anywhere you go. ...more
Okay, so excess oil isn't probably the best thing for your arteries and heart health, but it sure tastes good! And without out, all your baked goods would stick to pans with an iron grip. So before you bake your next batch of cupcakes or cakes, watch ths video to learn how to ...more
Thailand's own Stan Winston. Artist Kittiwat Unarrom's gruesome baked goods are mindblowing. I can't imagine rendering this level of realism in clay, let alone bread dough. Unarrom comes from a family of bakers, and sells his gruesome baked goods at his "Body Bakery". Accor ...more
If you know how to use your microwave then you can easily make these gorgeous Valentine's Day cupcakes. That's because all it takes is microwaving candy melts - and squeezing some flower and heart shapes - to adorn your baked goods. Check out this cake decorating tutorial to ...more
Ever since Katy Perry's "California Gurls" single came out, we've never looked at popsicles and baked goods in the same way again. Pay tribute to the unadulterated version of these summertime staples by folding this origami chocolate popsicle. It's amazingly lifelike and is ea ...more
Cupcakes are delicious as they are, but they're even more wonderful and charming when you pipe a beautiful design on top with frosting. Take a look at this cake decorating video to learn how to pipe a professional swirl onto a cupcake. This is an easy and quick way to make yo ...more
If you take to reading food labels you will start to notice some ingredients come up again and again. Sugar, MSG, high fructose corn syrup, spices that really don't mean "spices", things you can't pronounce. If you can't have it, chances are it's in that package you're holding ...more
Carrot cake has always been among the most controversial of cakes, but for those who love it there are few finer baked goods in the world. Here, the ladies of Show Me the Curry teach us how to make an easy carrot cake either with or without eggs! As any of our vegan viewers kn ...more
Royal icing is very versatile and great for cake decorating. In this how to video Edna teaches how to make simple royal icing daisies. Watch and learn how to make these beautiful daisy flowers out of royal icing for all your baked goods.
You don't need fancy kitchen tools to decorate your cookies and cakes. All you need is a some parchment paper and some quick folding skills. Watch this how to video to learn how to cut and fold a paper cone out of parchment paper to decorate your baked goods.
This video shows you how to create a miniature teddy bear using household items for decorating a cake or other baked goods.
Learn how you can use simple, easily made icing (frosting) to write and draw on your baked goods.
Valentine's Day is super stressful. From getting a gift that's personal but not TOO personal (like Spanx because she always complains about her muffin top, for instance) to picking out a bouquet of her favorite flowers, you probably have a lot on your plate. Make your dessert ...more
Cake decorators adore gumpaste because it can not only be formed in just about any imaginable shape out there, but also because it hardens to a consistency that can easily hold these shapes. Take this intricate, Cinderella-inspired high heeled slipper, for instance. Perfectly ...more
Awe-inspiring baked goods don't have to be expensive to make, and can come from the most unlikely of sources. For instance, you could hit up Michael's and purchase a pricy cake decorating kit with embossing stencils, but why go through all the trouble when you probably already ...more
What's the difference between a professional baker and an amateur one? A professional baker presents their baked goods with flawless execution. Yes, the recipe matters too, but we can bet you've never been to a five star restaurant that serves good yet sloppily assembled food. ...more
There's no better time of year than Halloween to indulge in the macabre and spook your friends and family. Get creative with your spooking this year by making your baked goods scare, as well. In this video, you'll learn how to use jelly beans to turn ordinary cupcakes into fr ...more
Even though Christmas and the winter holidays have now passed, January is just as chilly and requires equal amounts of hot chocolate and steaming hot baked goods from the oven to warm your kids up after getting a good chill outside. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to bake ...more
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without the spicy, warm aromatic smell of cookies and gingerbread-scented cupcakes baking in the oven. Along with the scent of pine needles on your Christmas tree and freshly fallen snow, festive baked goods instantly propel our senses into ...more
For some reason, designer soaps of late have been trying to emulate baked goods. Whether it's soaps that either are shaped like or smell like (or both) red velvet cupcakes, tacos, or pieces of belgian milk chocolate, we find ourselves doing a double take at Lush as we start sa ...more
The most dangerous thing about having a bunch of baked goods in your home is the possibility that you will gorge on all of them. If you are in a cupcake-y mood, but want to keep your sugar-happy gluttonous side in check, just make enough batter for two cupcakes in a single mix ...more
Sometimes entrepreneurial inspiration comes from the oddest of places— such as, say, down-and-out crack dealer delivery methods. Inspired by HBO's The Wire, Kathleen and Clem of Fat Cookies are attracting a crowd with an atypical model for vending baked goods: oven fresh cooki ...more
Cupcakes? Yes, please. As we all know, Christmas is a foodie's dream holiday, with oodles of Christmas cookies shaped like elves, pumpkin-spiced muffins, and of course cupcakes decorated into all sorts of festive shapes. Get into the holiday spirit by baking and decorating th ...more
We didn't think it could get any better than cupcakes laden with buttercream icing until we saw these dark chocolate ganache-dipped cupcakes. Dripping in rich, velvety layers of ganache, these cupcakes are then topped with iced on Christmas shapes like trees and snowflakes for ...more
Most people save up their baking for Christmas time, when the home traditionally smells like sugar, cinnamon, and a plethora of baked goods. But Halloween is just as great an opportunity to both create something delicious and gorgeous looking. Check out this cake decorating v ...more
There isn't a kid out there who doesn't enjoy gobbling up sugar cookies - unless he/she is allergic to gluten, that is. Gluten is a wheat product that some kids and adults have adverse reactions to, but the ingredient is included in many baked goods, from cupcakes to bread. I ...more
For many, taking a bite out of a red velvet cupcake is a delicious treat, and even a present of sorts, especially if you generally deny yourself of such sweets during the rest of the week. So why not make your next batch of cupcakes look like literal gifts by adding a bow on t ...more
Caramel is delicious, but it can be a tricky flavor to incorporate into baking. Traditionally, caramel is a liquid, and that doesn't always suit dessert preparation since adding extra liquid to baked goods can ruin them. So how do you get that buttery, toffee-like flavor? Ent ...more
A cup of ginger tea with lemon first thing in the morning, a pick-me-up cup of green tea (or matcha) to fight off the afternoon slump and a soothing cup of chamomile tea to help me unwind before bed—I would be lying if I said I weren't a major tea enthusiast. Don't Miss: Gree ...more
You might be familiar with the use of zucchini blossoms in cooking and maybe even know how to make herbal simple syrups. But if you really want to show off as someone who knows how to use flowering plants in food, try adding some flower water to your cooking/baking repertoire. ...more
Few things in life are as relaxing and enjoyable as baking. When I'm having a bad day, I make cookies. When I'm stressed out, I bake a cake. When I have a free Sunday with nothing to do but listen to music and drink coffee, I bake a tart or a batch of cupcakes. True, much of ...more
Canned pumpkin is something I always stock up on and keep in my pantry, because it's endlessly useful when cooking or baking. Sweet, creamy, and mild, pumpkin can be folded into baked goods and savory dishes with ease. Why Canned Pumpkin Is More Useful Than Fresh Pumpkin Usi ...more
When I first started cooking, there were a few steps I always skipped in recipes. I never added zest to anything because it seemed like too much trouble, I rarely separated wet and dry ingredients in baking recipes because I was lazy, and I never let meat rest after it was don ...more
Turn on the ceiling fan indoors during the cold winter season. Though it may seem counterintuitive, spinning the blades clockwise on a low setting actually recirculates warmer air trapped near the ceiling towards the floor. To stay warm, you can also use the oven frequently t ...more
Baked goods are always a popular gift during the holidays. Whether you love to bake or just don't know what else to give someone, homemade goodies are almost always well-received. If you're making cookies to give away or take to a party, there's a quick, simple way to package ...more
Other than serving as the raw ingredients for your epic spaghetti and meatball feast, uncooked spaghetti noodles can also be used to make a DIY knife block for your kitchen knives, light a candle with a deep holder, check the done-ness of your baked goods, and double as a DIY ...more
The next time you buy bread, tortillas and other produce or baked goods items that come with twist ties, don't throw them away. These handy pieces of plastic-covered wire come to good use when you need to build a garden trellis, organize your power cords, replace your zipper p ...more
Are you interested in selling your products at the local Farmers Markets? Many small mom and pop food crafters get started selling their artisan breads, homemade cakes, cookies, pies, biscotti, candy, seasoning mixes or regional barbecue sauces direct to customers who visit lo ...more
Giveaway Tuesdays has officially ended! But don't sweat it, WonderHowTo has another World that's taken its place. Every Tuesday, Phone Snap! invites you to show off your cell phone photography skills. Submit your best shot to our weekly competition for a chance to win an awes ...more
Coffee mugs: nothing proliferates more quickly in my kitchen cabinets. People are always handing them out as gifts or as swag, plus I always seem to find a vintage model or two at a garage sale that I'm compelled to buy. I used to do a yearly purge of my excess muggage, but it ...more
Even when no one is in your kitchen, it is crowded. The refrigerator, sink, and counters are all covered with microbes that are just hanging around. They are inadvertent remnants from the raw chicken you used in that recipe last night, brewing a bacterial cocktail in your Nesp ...more
Whenever I went to the grocery store on a mission for blueberries, I'd inevitably find myself staring at these weird little tomato-looking berries... and wondering what the hell they really were. Tomatoes? Berries? A weird science experiment? Then, I'd set a pint of blueberrie ...more
For so many of us, bakeware is bakeware. As long as it's oven safe and able to tolerate the high heat, it's fine to bake in, right? Wrong! Don't Miss: 7 Must-Know Guidelines Bakers Swear By There's more to bakeware than we realize: the different casserole pans, baking sheet ...more
It's common knowledge that certain foods foster brain development, health, and memory. Fish almost always makes the list, as do any foods that are loaded with antioxidants like blueberries, nuts, whole grains, green tea, and dark chocolate. Spices like turmeric are being studi ...more
Making the perfect pie crust is easy and it cost just pennies. Watch this how to video to learn an easy recipe for pasty dough. Everyone will be raving about your homemade baked goods. All you need for the pastry dough is: flour, sugar, salt, butter, egg yolk, water and shorte ...more
When you can't quite figure out what to get someone for Christmas, turn to your inner creativity for a more personal, homemade holiday gift. To help give you some ideas, here are some DIY presents that never fail. You can never go wrong with homemade baked goods, especially i ...more
Designer Mike Clare (of my own alma mater, RISD) has extended the augmented reality mania (1, 2, 3) to baked goods. Thanks to the crowd and Josh Delcore at AR World for the find. Here's how it works, via Design Boom: "The cookies are made with standard dough in two colours ma ...more
It is important to know how to keep your cooking and baking ingredients fresh. Many have either an expiration date or a "use by" date on the containers which should be followed. Shortening can turn rancid if it is kept in a warm environment. To keep it from going bad it can ei ...more
Learn how to use a coffee filter for more than making coffee. Discover the versatility of coffee filters by learning all the things they can do besides straining your java. You Will Need * Coffee filters * Window cleaner * String or rubber bands * A little imagination * Tra ...more
There's a common saying that separates cooks from bakers: baking is a science, while cooking is an art. When baking, one little misstep can alter the texture, taste, and consistency of any recipe. Yet it doesn't have to be a scary science—forget your not-so-happy high school ...more
In case you haven't heard, chia seeds are off of the novelty plant grower and in your supermarket. Why? Because they're a nutrient-dense food loaded with calcium and fiber (18% and 42% respectively of your RDA per one ounce of seeds). There are even some preliminary studies th ...more
I grew up in a household where bacon was considered its own necessary food group. My mom saved the bacon fat in a jar and reused it in other dishes, which my friends considered vile, unless they were also from immigrant families or the American South, where saving bacon fat ha ...more
You don’t have to eat meat to get all the iron you need. There are many very iron rich vegetables that can be eaten on their own or juiced and drank to make sure you have appropriate amount of minerals in your blood. Step 1 Add iron to a vegan diet by eating the right types ...more
Last month, mobile application consultant Jonathan Stark unleashed his Starbucks Card to the public as an "experiment in social sharing of physical goods using digital currency on mobile phones." Basically, he purchased a Starbucks Card and registered it via the Starbucks Mobi ...more
Watch as garage sale aficionado Ron Hubble teaches how to plan and have a multi-family garage sale. Learn where to advertise for garage sales, how to word advertisement, where to post garage sale signs, the benefit of baked goods, how to price items, how to find items, how to ...more