Substituting Butter for Vegetable Shortening

Aretia asks: Is it safe to substitute butter for butter-flavored Crisco?

Baking S.O.S. says: Yes! You can substitute butter for butter-flavor Crisco. Your baked goods may spread more because butter contains more water, but they will taste better with butter, too!

How to Substitute All-Purpose Flour for Self-Rising Flour

Beth asks: I love to bake, but mostly stick to the basics. On occasion, I want to try a recipe that calls for bread flour or self-rising flour. Is there something I can add to all-purpose flour as a substitute?

Baking S.O.S. says: You CAN substitute all-purpose flour for self-rising flour with the following adjustments: For [...]

Truffles for Valentine’s Day

This year, I will again be making my traditional dark chocolate truffles for Valentine’s Day.  They come in 2 varieties: rolled in bittersweet chocolate cocoa (the traditional method) or rolled in finely chopped and toasted almonds.

Dark Chocolate Truffles

A gift box of 1 dozen truffles costs $12.00.

I am also offering a new creation this year: [...]

Help for a dense and rubbery chocolate cake

Dee says: Hi BakingSOS, I desperately need some help.  I have tried to bake the Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Cake for my mom because she loves chocolate.  I have tried this recipe to a T for 3 times, and the cake turns out heavy, wet, rubbery and absolutely disappointing.  On the website, the cakes looks [...]

Are baking powder and baking soda interchangeable?

Chef Asata asks: I don’t bake. What is the interchangeability of baking powder and baking soda?  Can I substitute one for the other?

Baking S.O.S. says: It’s interesting you asked this question.  My first class in Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales was Beginning Baking, and we had to write a research paper on something related [...]

Testing for doneness: Brownies

done!

Originally uploaded by chefrb

Nina asks: For some reason, I can’t make good brownies.   Even when I use the boxed mixes and follow the directions, the brownies are either underdone or overdone.   What is the solution?  Should I be making brownies from scratch?

Baking S.O.S. says: I have the same problem, too!  Brownies [...]

Chilled Creme Fraiche with strawberries & blueberries

Chilled Creme Fraiche with strawberries & blueberries

Originally uploaded by chefrb
I made this red, white & blue dessert for the Fourth of July. It is a simple combination of sour cream & heavy cream sweetened with sugar, a little gelatin added to set it up, and fresh berries [...]