Category: cakes

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Posted on December 24, 2021January 4, 2022 by dkennedy2021 — Leave a comment

How to Freeze a Homemade Cake (Without/With Frosting!)

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Hey, Ya’ll! Have you ever wondered if you can freeze a homemade cake a few weeks before the celebration or freeze the leftover cake after a party? Keep reading to find out….

If you are like me and love to bake homemade cakes around the holidays, sometimes I can have some leftovers and really just don’t want to discard them because well it’s really delicious! Besides, I love to eat cake for breakfast with my coffee. I know, I know, not the most nutritious but it’s really good with the coffee!! ☕

Now, if you don’t want to eat your cake with your coffee in the mornings for breakfast, guess what? You can put it in the freezer and enjoy it a little longer! Hard to believe, right?

You can even bake homemade cakes ahead of a party or any occasion and freeze them to save yourself some time. Check out my tips below. Enjoy!

This is How You Freeze Unforsted Cake Layers

Storing your cake layers in your freezer is easier than you think. First of all, you want to make sure that your cake layers are completely cooled off before you wrap them in the saran wrap. This is a very important step as you do not want to trap any steam in when you wrap up your cake layers.

Wrapping them in a double layer of plastic wrap does not hurt, in fact, I encourage it. (This acts as a double layer of protection). Next, you will want to wrap them in a layer of aluminum foil. You may also use plastic freezer bags that are resealable. Gallon bags work best and can accommodate a 9 by 9-inch cake layer.

Once your cake layers have cooled and you have them wrapped tightly with the plastic wrap or in a gallon resealable freezer bag, make sure to write on the label what flavor of cake you have and the date you put it in the freezer. This is important to note because your cake layers should last from 2-3 months in the freezer and you will certainly want to know what flavor you will be serving!

It’s a very good idea to place your cake layers on a cookie sheet until they are frozen to maintain their flat surface for easy layering and frosting when you thaw them out. This will also make it easier to stack them on top of each other to save space in your freezer.

Tips from Donna’s Kitchen

Tip #1. You want to freeze your cake as soon as it’s cooled off enough so that it will still be fresh and you have time to enjoy it during its prime.

Tip #2. Make sure to wrap it tight as you can in the plastic wrap to help maintain its freshness and use double plastic wrap for an added layer of protection along with the aluminum foil on the outside of the wrap.

Tip #3. Not thawing the cake layers all the way out will make frosting them a lot easier. This will help seal in some of the crumbs (crumb coat) so you won’t have as many crumbs in your frosting. (I would thaw them on the counter for about one hour before you start decorating and they should still be cold enough to frost).

Freezing Frosted Homemade Cakes

Freezing A Homemade Frosted Cake — ***Freezing a Homemade Frosted Cake***

Yes, you can freeze your frosted cakes! But, (yes there’s a but) you have to make sure your frosting can withstand being frozen. The top two frostings that work wonderfully being frozen are “Cream Cheese”, and “American Buttercream.” Two of my favorite ones to work with!

After you get your cake all frosted and decorated, you will want to place it in the freezer for an hour. This will allow for your frosting and decorations to set. Once you are sure everything is set, then take it out of the freezer (and just like your unfrosted layers) and wrap it in two layers of plastic wrap snug as you can, followed by aluminum foil.

Just like your unfrosted cake layers, you will want to get your cake into the freezer as soon as you can to maintain its freshness and enjoy it at its prime as well.

When you get ready to unthaw your cake, you may do so on your counter or in your fridge overnight. NOTE: Your frozen cake if wrapped properly can last up to 6 months in your freezer!

Frostings that do not work well being frozen are:

Whipped Cream frosting
Royal Icing
Meringue Frostings

NOTE: These frostings are best when made fresh and used when you make them.

How to Freeze Single Slices of Cake

Single Slice Of Chocolate Cake — ***Single Slice of Chocolate Cake***

This is so easy to do! All ya have to do is wrap the slices of cake in plastic wrap individually or put them on a plate and wrap the plastic wrap around the plate tight. You will want to make sure you do a double layer of the plastic on the layers as well to protect them from freezer burn. The cake slices should last 2-3 months in your freezer. Now you can keep on enjoying your cake a little longer!🤤

I hope you enjoyed reading about “How to Freeze a Homemade Cake (Without/With Frosting!)”as much as I enjoyed writing this article for you.

Now that you know what to do for your next big get together, get baking girl!😉

Happy Baking,

Donna Kennedy🍰

How to Make a Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Posted on December 20, 2021December 23, 2021 by dkennedy2021 — Leave a comment

The Joy of Baking

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My mom is the one who got me into baking. I can remember licking the bowl after she was done making a cake. I’m not exactly sure why I was doing that, but I’m sure it was because it tasted good. I don’t know how old I was and I don’t remember it being something that my mom made me do. She probably thought I did it on my own, but I don’t know. The point is, she taught me how to bake, and it has become a passion of mine.

Because of my mom, I love to bake for my family for many reasons. I love to see the anticipation on their faces as they wait for me to reveal the finished product. I love how much fun we have sitting around the table enjoying a meal together. I love to hear their excited chatter as they dig into their dessert first and then move on to the more savory parts of their meal. Baking makes me happy!

I believe baking is just as joyful activity as it is practical. I believe that everyone should bake, whether you cook or not, and you don’t have to be a professional pastry chef. The techniques I have learned and mastered over years of baking have improved my cooking skills as well as my baking skills. Or maybe it’s the other way around; maybe my cooking skills have improved my baking skills.

I can say without hesitation that my passion for baking has brought me a lot of joy in my life especially when I bake for my family. It gives me such a sense of accomplishment when I get in my kitchen and create something I know that my family is going to love. When they sit down and dig in and I see the look of satisfaction on their faces, well there is nothing in this world like the feeling I get when that happens.

I have an eleven-year-old granddaughter that loves to bake as well. So, for Christmas, I made her a recipe book with a lot of my recipes to get her started on her baking journey. Some of the recipes I passed on to her were from my mom and my grandmother. She absolutely loves it! It makes me proud to know that I am able to pass along family recipes to my granddaughter. I know she will do great things with them as well because she has that passion for baking as I do.

If you love to bake or just starting out, I encourage you to continue your journey with baking. There is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling than to create a dessert, dish, etc., and watch the people you love enjoying the fruits of your labor. This is what the joy of baking is all about.

Will you make mistakes along the way with your baking? Of course, you will! That is just part of the learning process. I have been baking for 46 years and still make mistakes from time to time. It just goes with the territory. But whatever you do, don’t give up and quit just start over again and use this as a learning curve. It can be frustrating I know, but the next time you won’t make the same mistake again.

I hope that you will acquire a passion for baking as I have. It will bring joy to your life as it has mine. Once you get bitten by the “baking bug, “there is no turning back. You will love the feeling of knowing that you have made a dish or dessert, that your family is going to love, then the passion and joy of baking will be in your blood. When you see the look of pure satisfaction on their faces, you will know what I mean.

I hope this will encourage you to take your baking to the next level and never ever give up! The baking world is only a mixer away. Now get your baking on girl and show your family how good you are! You can do this!😊

Happy Baking,

Donna Kennedy🎂

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Posted on November 26, 2021December 27, 2021 by dkennedy2021 — Leave a comment

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Baking With Donna: 10 Ways to Save Money and Time

Should you click on any of my links below, they are to my recipes which I will be compensated for if you decide to purchase them. Thank you! Enjoy!

These days we “All” need to find ways to save money and time. With the prices of groceries, gas, and everything else skyrocketing, we need ways to save our money and get more bang for our buck. And ways to save our time.

So, I have put together a list of 10 things that I do to save money and time. Maybe, some of these will inspire you to save money too and your time.

Are you ready to get started? Let’s get to it…

1. Shop sales always– You never know when there are going to be mega sales at your favorite store until you check out their site on a regular basis.

2. Do not buy things at full price- If there is something you are thinking of purchasing, wait for it to go on sale before you buy it. This includes clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, appliances, or even food. I always wait for sale times before I make my purchases-I save tons of money this way.

3. Always look for coupons online– If you are looking for coupons online, do not limit yourself to the sites that offer the coupons that you want. There are many other sites that can provide you with great coupons that can save you money on things that you were planning to buy anyway.

4. Create a meal plan for the week– Do this before you do your shopping. My goodness, you have no idea how much time this will save you! You can print a meal planner off the internet for free.

5. Make a detailed grocery list from your meal plan– This way when you get to the grocery store you want be trying to figure out what you need for the week. Such a big time saver and this will help you to save money because you want be buying unnecessary items you really didn’t need. You can print these off the internet for free.

6. Another time saver- Make freezer meals ahead of time . This is a big time saver especially if you are a busy mom taking kids to and from school, taking them to play in sports, to practice, etc. You just set the frozen meal out for 20-30 minutes and pop it in the oven to cook for the time your recipe specifys.

Fruits And Veggies — ***Shop Fruits and Veggies First***

7. Shop the perimeter of the store first- Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy, Frozen Foods, and Meat sections, as these sections have fewer processed foods, preservatives, and more natural ingredients.

8. Shop only once a week- On the same day each week. By shopping regularly you will have a feel for how much you need to buy that week and you will also see how prices change on a weekly basis which is helpful when you are watching your spending.

Lady Buying Toilet Paper — ***Buying in Bulk***

9. Buy in bulk- When it makes sense or buy generic when possible. My husband and I share vegetables, soups, bread, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. when we buy in bulk with family members which helps us all save money. And they do the same for us.

Onions And Garlic — ***Onions and Garlic***

10. Use a mix for part of the recipe-Oftentimes a mix will be cheaper than buying all of the ingredients separately. While you can use a mix for half of a recipe, adjust the other ingredients accordingly. You can also substitute alternative ingredients for featured ones. If a recipe calls for onions or garlic that are out of season, or if you just don’t have any on hand, try using shallots or garlic powder instead.

There you have it. I hope you enjoyed Baking With Donna: 10 Ways to Save Money and Time as much as I enjoyed sharing this with you. Maybe this will help you as much it has me.

I would love to know if you tried this and how much it helped you. Do you have anything to contribute to my 10 ways to save money and time? If you do please share below.

Happy Baking,

Donna Kennedy👩‍🍳

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Posted on November 2, 2021December 23, 2021 by dkennedy2021 — Leave a comment

Donna’s 8 Best Cake Lifters

As an Amazon Associate, if you should click on any of my links, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

I get asked this question all of the time, “Which cake lifter do I need and what size?” Today’s review is going to answer these questions for you and name Donna’s 8 Best Cake Lifters.

There are two different sizes of cake lifters to choose from. The 6-inch lifter is the most commonly used size. The 6-inch lifter is generally found in most households due to its versatility in lifting cakes, cookies, and pastries. These lifters usually come in sets of 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12. This particular size is great for lifting most cakes and pastries. It’s also great for lifting dough for pizza bagels, cinnamon rolls, and much more.

The 4-inch lifter is the perfect size for when you don’t need to lift a large cake or pastry. Since they are smaller in size covering them with frosting is not an issue when the cake is placed back down on the plate. This size is great for when you are having cupcakes only at your event or you are working with small pastries like mini donuts or bite-size cookies.

These lifters are generally made out of either metal or sturdy plastic.

Now that I have given you information on the sizes and their respective uses, let’s find out which ones are the best.

1. Tophome 8-Inch Safe Cake Lifter

Is great for transferring pizzas, delicate bread, cakes, pies, and pastries into an oven, wood-fired oven, or grill to keep from burning your hand from the oven or from the hot baked goods. Perfect as a cake lifter. (Amazon’s Choice) 4.8/5 Stars

Features:

Easy to use
Dishwasher safe
Durable and sturdy
Multi-purpose use
Available in 6 colors

2. Mrs. Anderson Giant 9.5-Inch Cake Lifter:

Is also known as a cake spatula, easily lifts, transports, and stacks cake layers for building effortless precision layer cakes with a professional presentation at home. Makes your cake decorating easier no matter if you are professional or just starting out. It’s great for moving larger foods from baking sheets to cooling racks, like tarts, pastries, Jumbo cookies, pizzas, and more. 4.2/5 Stars

Features:

Easily lift and transport cake layers for precison cake layering
Durable and sturdy
Silicone grip
Made of stainless steel
Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup

3. Nordic Ware Cake Lifter, 10-Inches

You can transfer your largest cakes with ease using the Nordic Ware wide 10-inch cake lifter like a pro. This product is made in the USA by a skilled team of craftspeople with the same goal in mind, creating the finest quality of kitchenware items in the industry. 4.8/5 Stars

Features:

Large cake lifter
Non-stick surface
Clean up is easy with hot soapy water
10-inch diameter head to lift most cakes
Proudly made in the USA

4. RSVP International 12-Inch Oven Spatula

RSVP International 12" Oven Spatula — ***RSVP International 12″ Oven Spatula***

Is a unique 12-inch oven spatula that is made out of durable stainless steel that will help you transfer your largest cakes with ease. Not only can you transfer large cakes, but it is perfect for whole pizzas as well. 4.7/5 Stars

Features:

Durable stainless steel
Dishwasher safe for easy clean up
8-inch silicone handle
Transfer large cakes and whole pizzas with ease

5. Norpro Stainless Steel 6-Inch Scraper/Chopper

The 6-inch cake lifter is the most commonly used size and can be found in most households. This is true because of its versatility in lifting cakes, cookies, and pastries. This is a must-have tool for all baker’s kitchens because of its many uses. (Amazon’s Choice) 4.8/5 Stars

Features:

Can be used to scrap, split dough, crushing chopping, and measuring
Rounded handle and rectangular strait-sided blade is ideal for chopping and splitting cookie dough and more
Measuring guide on the side ideal for measuring and cutting pasta and pastry dough
Easily scrap flour, sugar, etc. off your workspace and tranferring to mixing bowl
Made of durable stainless steel with comfortable handle

6. Fat Daddio’s Cake Lifter Stainless Steel, 8.75 Inch

Here’s one heafty cake lifter. No matter if you have a cake, cookies situation, this cake lifter can get the job done. Fat Daddio’s cake lifter will have you lifting even your decorated cakes like a pro and easily transfer tiered cakes with ease. 4.7/5 Stars

Features:

The design allows for lifting cakes, cookies, etc.
Durable comfort grip handle
Made of durable stainless steel
Dishwasher safe making clean up a breeze

This little cake lifter/spatula is a must have in your arsenal of tools for baking. It is great not only for lifting brownies, but cookies, casseroles, and quiches! Help keep your baked goods intact for a beautiful presentation for your guest. (Amazon’s Choice) 4.4/5 Stars

Features:

Easy grip wooden handle
Made of durable stainless steel
Great for pancakes, cookies, casseroles and more
Easy clean up and storage
Beveled edge to easily lift your pressious desserts and casseroles

But it on Amazon

8. 4 Pieces Pie/Cake Server Set Stainless Steel

This is a very nice serving set for pros and begginers alike. These cake lifters/spatulas can do more than just lift cake and cut dough. The set comes with 2 serrated cake servers and 2 serrated spatulas that can easily meet your demands. Consider this set your practical helper in the kitchen. (Amazon’s Choice) 4.3/5 Stars

Features:

Triangled shape servers used to serve cakes and pies
Rectangled shape servers used to serve brownies, lasagna, etc.
Made with quality durable steel
Comfortable handle for easy grip
Dishwasher safe for easy clean up

Wow! These were really hard to decide on. You can’t go wrong with any of these you decide to buy. They are all great products you just have to pick the ones that meet your baking needs. No someone besides you that likes to bake? Any of these would make an awesome gift for the bakers in your life. So, treat them and yourself.😉

Happy Baking,

Donna Kennedy🍰

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Posted on October 25, 2021October 25, 2021 by dkennedy2021 — Leave a comment

Baking with Donna: A Bakers Love Story

My love affair with baking began when I was just a little girl. My mom was a homemaker and loved to bake, so it makes sense that I would grow up to enjoy the same hobby at such a young age. My mom taught me how to bake in the kitchen with her. When I was about 12 years old I asked her for my own set of mixing bowls. My mom bought me a whole set of tiny little glass bowls. Yes, they were cute, but boy did they take forever to get the batter out of them after you were done mixing. I also remember trying to scrape the batter off the tiny little glass bowls with a butter knife. That was not fun at all!

Measuring Cups And Spoons — ***Measuring Cups and Spoons***

The first time I ever had my own real baking supplies was when I got into home economics in high school. I attended Villa Rica High School in Villa Rica, Georgia which is where I learned how to bake with real measuring cups and spoons.

I remember making my very first cake, a Red Velvet cake for Christmas. I think I was 13 years old when I made it and it turned out beautiful and it was quite delicious if I do say so myself. It was so moist and my family loved it! After that, I was hooked on baking.

My mom told me what a good job that I had done. “Well,” I said, “I had a great teacher!” Then I told my mom I wanted to learn how to make homemade biscuits, cornbread, etc. And guess what? I did it, but not without mistakes along the way. But I was not discouraged, because that is how we learn.

I still make mistakes baking after all of these years and you will too. Oh, sure it aggravates the daylights out of me, but you can’t give up, you just gotta keep on keeping on. Even if that means starting allllll over again!! And believe me, honey I have had to do that.

Donna's Santa Cake — ***Donna’s Santa Cake***

I love to cook when I have the time, which most days I do. My favorite time of the year is the holidays. I enjoy getting in my kitchen and baking cakes, cookies, pies, fudge, bread, and actual food. Are there any other foods besides sweets? Just kidding, of course, there are. I just really enjoy baking sweets.

Around the holidays I like making goodies for my family and friends. It just makes me feel good to give them something I have baked homemade and they always have a big smile on their face and dig in immediately. It warms my heart to see them enjoying the fruits of my labor. Plus, it makes them feel a little more special and loved.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about Baking with Donna: A Bakers Love Story. It was truly my pleasure to share this with you. If you are new to baking, I hope this encourages you to continue and grow in your baking skills and know that making mistakes is unavoidable. But, never ever give up! You can do this! If you are a seasoned baker, I hope you took away a few little tidbits from this as well.

How did you come about baking? Do you love it? What kind of mistakes have you made? I would love to hear from you, leave your comments below.

Check out Baking with Donna’s “Little Book of Recipes” for 6 of my favorite recipes just in time for the holidays!

Happy Baking,

Donna Kennedy🍰

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Posted on October 19, 2021November 7, 2021 by dkennedy2021 — Leave a comment

How to Bake the Perfect Cookie-6 Steps

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

When my mother introduced me to the world of cooking, I quickly learned that baking was my forte. I have always loved making cookies, but have you ever wondered how some people can just make a cookie that melts in your mouth and you find yourself going back for more? It’s because I was taught one of the most important baking tips, the technique.

Yes, it does take a bit of practice, but if you will follow my techniques, you will realize how easy it really is to make a perfect cookie.

Read on to find out more…

1. Follow the Recipe

Cookies Recipe — ***Follow the Recipe***

This is the most important one of all, the recipe! If you don’t follow the recipe step by step I can promise you it will be a flop. And nobody wants that to happen. If you are going to take the time to bake cookies or anything for that matter, you may as well do it right the first time. Although this may seem like a small step, it is (to me) the most important step in the baking process.

2. Flour: All-Purpose or Self-Rising

White Lily All Purpose Flour 5 lb Bag (Pack of 2) — ***White Lily All Purpose Flour***

Yes, my baker’s, the flour DOES matter. I can tell you this from my many years of baking. I have used both in my cookie recipes, and trust me when I tell you that All-Purpose flour works best for cookies, unless it specifies Self-Rising. Ever time I used the self-rising flour my cookies would never turn out the same. Once I made the switch to All-Purpose flour they turned out to be the perfect taste, texture, and consistency. Imagine that!

3. Baking Soda or Baking Powder

Arm and Hammer Baking Soda — ***Baking Soda***

Most cookie recipes use baking soda and some use baking powder. I prefer baking soda because it is the most conventional raising agent in cookies. You can use baking powder, but just know that your cookies will have a more cake like consistency. And that will be fine if that is the way you want them. Using baking soda will make them good and chewy.

4. Butter, Butter, and Butter

Butter VS Margarine — ***Butter vs Margarine***

Oh my goodness, there is nothing like the rich creamy taste of REAL butter. It is way better than margarine. Of course if all you have on hand is margarine, then it will work too. But if you ever try real butter in your cookies or other recipes calling for butter, honey you will never go back to margarine. Trust me! My favorite butter to get in the whole world is Amish butter. Now that’s some good eating. So rich and creamy. If you keep your butter in the fridge, set it out for about 15-20 minutes to get it at room temperature. Soft butter mixes up better in your dry ingredients. Don’t won’t to wait for it to reach room temp.?

Just pop it in the microwave for about 15-30 seconds. Melting it will make a softer chewier cookie.

5. What about the Eggs

Basket Of Brown Eggs — ***Basket of Brown Eggs***

If your cookie recipe calls for eggs, and most of them do, make sure to lay your eggs out about 30-45 minutes before you start baking. This helps your cookies to have more volume and will turn out better and prettier. Plus, your eggs will mix-up with the dry ingredients much better. I prefer brown eggs to white eggs. I personally think that brown eggs are richer and make desserts taste richer.

6. Brown Sugar or White Sugar

For me I like to use whatever the recipe calls for. But you can mix them by using half white and half brown. This gives your cookies an almost Carmel like taste. Now when it comes to peanut butter cookies, brown sugar is best if you have it. The right sugar for the right recipe gives your cookies that chewy or crunchy like texture we all love.

Tips from Donna’s Kitchen

Tip #1. Always go by your recipe instructions step by step for best results.

Tip #2. Gather all the ingredients for the recipe.

Tip #3. Measure out all of the ingredients before you start the mixing process.

If you follow all of my techniques and tips, you will be on your way to making perfect cookies every time no matter which cookie recipe you choose.🍪

Try one of my cookie recipes below and enjoy!😋

Happy Baking,

Donna Kennedy👩‍🍳

Donna’s Best Holiday Butter Cookies

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Posted on October 17, 2021October 22, 2021 by dkennedy2021 — Leave a comment

How to Increase Your Productivity in the Kitchen

Work Smarter Not Harder — ***Tips to Get More Done in the Kitchen***

If you are anything like me, then you will find that sometimes your kitchen can feel like a war zone. However, kitchens do not have to feel this way. With the help of the little tips I am going to share with you today, you can get your kitchen back under control.

Prepare to Increase Productivity in Your Kitchen

The first tip– is to get everything prepared before you start. You may think that cooking is all about improvisation and winging it, but if you want to be productive in the kitchen, this is not true. Prepare and plan before you start. Take stock and make sure that you have everything that you need, and that it is all in good working order. By doing this, you will be giving yourself the best possible chance to produce a great meal.

Second tip-always start with a clean kitchen! There is nothing that stresses me out more than to try and start baking with a messy kitchen. Make sure all of your clean dishes are put away and your dirty dishes are washed up. Make sure you wash your dishes as you go. This will help you to get out of the kitchen much faster. My hubby usually washes the dishes as I go to help me out. I so appreciate his help! Especially around the holidays.

Reading A Recipe — ***Read Your Recipe***

Third tip-read your recipe all the way through and get all of your ingredients ready. Then get your measuring cups, spoons, mixer, etc. ready to go. Measure out your ingredients and set aside. Put your flour, milk, eggs, flavoring, and sugar back in its proper place. Doing this will keep your kitchen counters more organized and less cluttered.

Don't Answer Your Phone If You're Busy — ***Don’t Answer Your Phone***

Fourth tip-try not to answer your phone! I know, right? This really drives me crazy when I am trying to get my ingredients together, measured out, put back up and start the mixing process when my dang phone rings.🙄 For me, I don’t need that distraction at all. If I’m not careful I will forget what I have already measured out and poured into my mixing bowl and that is a pain in my butt I don’t need. (This is right up there on the stress bar with a dirty

kitchen).

Keep Pans In Cabinets Closest To Stove — ***Keep Pans in Cabinets Closest to Stove***

Fifth tip-this is another very important tip for me and it will be for you as well, keep all of your baking pans together in one place. I like to keep my in the cabinets closest to my stove. This will save you a lot of time, I promise. I also like to keep my cake plates together as well. Doing this saves me the time of looking every where for them. I have my measuring spoons and measuring cups together in the same drawer as well as my cake spatulas I use for frosting my cakes, cookies or whatever I am working on.

Sixth tip-stay focused on the task at hand. Try to avoid distractions at all cost. For me it is so hard to get my focus back if I get of course. I know that may sound crazy, but that’s just how it is for me. If we are being honest, I think this is true for most of us. Set a time you want to get started and stick to it. This will definitely speed up your productivity in the kitchen and you will get finished a lot faster.

Prepping The Ingredients — ***Prepping the Ingredients***

Seventh tip-make a schedule of what you would like to bake and on what days. Get things prepped the day before. With a lot of recipes you can make things the day before. For instance, cookie dough can be made the day before and kept in the fridge. This is especially helpful during the holidays. Writing out what you are going to bake on certain days for the holiday festivities will be a tremendous help and time saver for you. Planning this out will be helpful with your grocery list as well.

Listen To Music While Baking — ***Listen to Music While Baking***

Eighth tip-listen to your favorite music while cooking. In fact, I encourage it. I love to listen to me some Kenny G, smooth jazz or some soft rock. It just makes every thing I’m doing move along smoothly. During the holidays, I love me some Christmas music. Now that really gets my baking juices flowing! So, turn on your favorite music and get baking!

Old Pans — ***Donate Old Pots and Pans***

Ninth tip-get rid of weird shaped pots and pans you are not using. If you don’t use them to cook in, then toss them. Plastic bowls with missing lids, toss them out as well too. Have any melted spatulas just lying around taking up space in your drawers? Chunk them. Are you starting to get the idea? If you are not using any pots, pans, cookware, spoons, spatulas, etc. throw them out or donate them to a goodwill store. Someone else can use them if you don’t need them anymore.

Cluttered Kitchen — ***Keep Your Kitchen Floor Clean of Clutter***

Tenth tip-we talked about keeping your kitchen counters clutter free, the same can be said for your kitchen floor. This is something we don’t usually think about, but it’s a good idea to make sure nothing is in the way that you can trip over, slide down on that would ruin your day of baking in the kitchen. If you have small children make sure their toys are out of the floor and they are out of your kitchen. We don’t need the little kiddos getting hurt or burnt while mama is baking.

If you follow my 10 tips, then you will be on your way to learn How to Increase Your Productivity in the Kitchen. These tips will make your life much easier.

Happy Baking,

Donna Kennedy🍰

5 Cake Pans You Need for Baking Cakes

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Posted on October 15, 2021November 7, 2021 by dkennedy2021 — Leave a comment

5 Tips to Baking with Your Grandkids

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Baking is something that I love to do with my grandkids, but can sometimes be frustrating to figure out how to make it work. With the help of my grandkids, I have come up with 5 Tips to Baking with Your Grandkids.

1. Let them help you and pick a recipe

I know, I know, it is hard to teach a child to bake when you have things going on around you and on top of your counter. But, first and for most, insist that the little ones wash their hands before ya’ll get started. Let your grandchild pick out the recipe and help you with measuring and pouring the ingredients into a mixing bowl. When they are little, all you need them to do is stir, if they are older let them blend ingredients together. It makes them feel special and more engaged.

2. Have a neat area for baking

Everything else, stop! Have the kids clean up the area before you start baking. Have a place for everything and use it all. For example put flour in a sifter and put it back on the shelf after it is done being used. In fact, it would be a lot easier to go ahead and get the recipe and get all the ingredients measured out and ready before ya’ll start mixing things together.

3. Consider which task each child can do

The smaller children can help pour and stir the ingredients, while the older one(s) can read the recipe and help measure out the ingredients. As your grandkids help you, they will learn how to do things in order, like reading the recipe first, gather the ingredients, measuring out everything, and how to mix the ingredients according to the recipe. You can also teach your grandkids how to work together and take turns doing each task. You can teach them the importance of making sure they have all the ingredients before starting to bake.

4. Know that it will get messy and be ok with it

Lord knows I can’t say anything about my grandkids being messy, because believe me I am too when it comes to baking! But I’m ok with that because they are children and it can and will get messy. When there is flour and sugar involved, it’s going to get on the counters and the floor. Let them help you clean up as you go. Don’t stress about it and just have fun. After all you are making beautiful memories to cherish for a lifetime with your babies.

5. Most of all be patient

If mistakes happen, and they probably will, don’t go postal! Let them know that mistakes are to be made and it’s ok. Teach them that’s how we learn and the next time they will know what to do to correct it. For example, you can show them what happens if you don’t spray your cake pans before pouring the cake batter into the pans or what happens if you don’t follow the recipe step by step. This will help them to be more aware of why the steps in a recipe are so important. You can also share some of your baking mishaps and have a great laugh. Let them know that no matter how long you have been cooking, mistakes are going to happen and it’s ok. Just learn from them and move on.

One more very important part of the baking…Share the goodies with the grandkids and praise them for doing such a good job. Ask them what they enjoyed most about baking with Nana. Most of all let them share their goodies with friends and family. Let them know you can’t wait to bake with them again.

I would love to hear from you about baking with your grandkids. Let me know how it went and share some pictures.

Below you will find 3 of my best cookie recipes that will be easy to make with your grandkids and they are very delicious. Enjoy!😋

Happy Baking,

Donna Kennedy 👩‍🍳