Basic Pastries--The Building Blocks

If you want to be a better baker, you have come to the right place!

Not only will you find basic recipes here, you'll also find step-by-step directions for how to perform all of the basic mixing methods. I'm sure you will find the discussions of pastry Ingredient Function useful, as well.

New section: Basic Breads!

I won't just give you directions. I will arm you with the knowledge of how and why the methods work. Honest!

To really understand baking and to make sure that your experiments turn out the way you want them to, you have to learn the underlying techniques, and that's what I'm here to teach you.

Please don't hesitate to send me an email or post to the forum. That's why I'm here.

Master the basics, and then move on to more advanced recipes and techniques. Please see Intermediate & Advanced Pastries for more pastry fun!

Think of a recipe as a marriage of ingredients + methods. Now, if you come across a list of ingredients for a cake, you will be able to use the Creaming Method or the Two Stage Method--whatever method is appropriate--to turn those ingredients into a cake.

Bake a basic chocolate cake, learn how to make various frostings and fillings, and you'll be able to pair any cake with any filling and any frosting. It's up to you.

Looking for Great Baking Cookbooks? See My Recommendations.