It’s substitution time! Maybe you want to avoid what have been called the “malicious whites” (also known as flour and sugar), maybe you’re battling a food allergy, or maybe you just don’t have a particular ingredient on hand. Whatever the case, here are some delicious alternatives for this month’s spotlight ingredients: flour, sugar and honey….

As a baker, your kitchen is likely home to dog-eared, chocolate-fingerprint-stained baking books. And as your skills evolve, so too should your reading material. If you’re not so much a novice baker as you are an artisan, then you need more than just recipes. You need theories, techniques, and information on the latest trends. Here…

Does Hershey’s cocoa powder occupy pride of place in your baking pantry? Maybe, maybe not. But at the very least, you probably have fond childhood memories of the familiar brown can, particularly of snowy mornings when nothing hit the spot like a mug of hot cocoa. You may have also used it to whip up…

The baking aisle of your local supermarket is like all of the other aisles: a sea of choices. You know that it’s where you find the baking bars of chocolate, and you likely know the basics of baking with it. It’s manufactured specifically for baking and not meant to be readily consumed like those tempting…

The Dear Abby advice column is something you might rely upon if you need input on your love life or dealing with your in-laws — but not if you’re looking for baking advice. Fortunately, we’re here blogging on a regular basis with tried-and-true suggestions, including what to do when you’re out of an essential ingredient….

Every baker who’s worth their salt—er, sugar—needs a few trusty cookbooks, even those who are new to the craft. But with literally thousands of cookbooks available, how do you choose? Here are our picks for basic baking books that are sure to quickly become dog-eared and chocolate-stained. Basic Baking: Everything You Need to Know to…

Celebrate the Iconic Chocolate Chip What’s more American than apple pie (except perhaps pumpkin pie—thanks, Pilgrims!)? Why, chocolate chips, of course! These ubiquitous little bits of melt-in-your-mouth goodness are about as iconic as you can get, and with National Chocolate Chip Day coming up on May 15, there’s no time like the present to pop…

Want to get inspired? Think New York City. Want to get inspired with cupcakes? In New York City, Magnolia is synonymous with cupcakes. People have been known to wait for hours, in lines snaking around the block, for a Magnolia cupcake. In addition to daily cupcakes like the flourless chocolate with vanilla bean meringue buttercream,…

Dramatic. Distinctive. Oh-so-delicious.   Get inspired with red velvet cake and cupcakes. The bright red hue, courtesy of red food coloring or beetroot, sets it apart from other cakes, and the cream cheese frosting that is typically paired with it provides color and flavor contrast. The velvety texture and smooth chocolatey taste account for its…

As you undoubtedly know, nuts are a tasty addition to baked goods. They add texture, crunch and flavor—and they pack a healthy, disease-fighting punch. Jazz up your breads, muffins and cakes with the following nutrient-rich nuts.     April is National Pecan Month, according the Pecan Shellers Association. Not only that, April 14 is National…