So I just discovered something, or rather lots of somethings, and I am now wondering how on earth I survived all these years without knowing this. Who keeps such secrets from me? I learned to bake many, many years ago and had no idea that there were some cool and simple baking shortcuts I should have been using all along. Baking hacks are truly some of the neatest time-saving tricks I’ve learned this year. For years, I’ve been trying to make the edges of my pie crust look like my mother’s only to discover using tongs makes nicer edges than even Mom can do. Wow. Call me impressed. From cake decorating tips and tricks to easy ways to keep things clean and neat looking while baking, you are going to love having these little tricks in your baking arsenal. But please, please do me a favor and share them with people. These have been secrets for too long!

Baking Hacks

1. Bake The Perfect Cupcake

lifeasastrawberry

Best Baking Hacks - Bake The Perfect Cupcake - bake perfect cupcake

Do you love best baking hacks? This bake the perfect cupcake idea is exactly the kind of thing I go looking for. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the bake perfect cupcake. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Lifeasastrawberry has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.

 

4. Flat Top Cakes

livforcake

Tutorial - Flat Top Cakes - flat top cakes

Why not try an easy tutorial the easy way? This flat top cakes idea makes it simple. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Livforcake for the complete recipe.

Baking Tips and Tricks

5. Make A Pie Crust In A Food Processor

completelydelicious

Handmade - Make A Pie Crust In A Food Processor - crust food processor

Make A Pie Crust In A Food Processor – yes please. This one delivers on handmade goods without any fuss. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Completelydelicious’s full tutorial for all the details.

6. Stop Chocolate Chips From Sinking

cakewhiz

Home Decor - Stop Chocolate Chips From Sinking - chips from sinking

This is home decor, and I never get tired of it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the chips from sinking. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Cakewhiz has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.

8. Frost Cupcakes With Less Mess

creationsbykara

Diy Projects - Frost Cupcakes With Less Mess - cupcakes less mess

Give this frost cupcakes with less mess idea a try the next time you want DIY projects. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Creationsbykara to see every step.

9. Line Any Size Cake Pan With Parchment Paper Perfectly

abeautifulplate

Easy Crafts - Line Any Size Cake Pan With Parchment Paper Perfectly - parchment paper perfectly

Abeautifulplate nailed it with this line any size cake pan with parchment paper perfectly idea – easy crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the parchment paper perfectly. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Abeautifulplate for the complete recipe.

10. Blind Bake Pie Crust With Weights

kingarthurflour

Step By Step - Blind Bake Pie Crust With Weights - pie crust weights

My family always asks for step by step instructions like this, and this blind bake pie crust with weights idea is one we keep making. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Blog’s full tutorial for all the details.

11. Create Cinnamon Roll Waffles In Minutes

diyjoy

Diy - Create Cinnamon Roll Waffles In Minutes - cinnamon roll waffles

Ever crave a fun DIY? This create cinnamon roll waffles in minutes idea is the one I keep going back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. We’ve got the complete tutorial for you right at the link.

12. Learn To Make Buttercream Rope

wilton

Crafts - Learn To Make Buttercream Rope - make buttercream rope

I have always loved fun crafts, and this learn to make buttercream rope idea is a great example why. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Wilton at the link.

 

13. Baking Tip For Layer Cakes

barbarabakes

How to - Baking Tip For Layer Cakes - tip layer cakes

This baking tip for layer cakes idea is quick, easy, and a real win for a clear how-to. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Barbarabakes to see every step.

14. Toothpick Guide When Writing On A Cake

laurenconrad

Tutorial - Toothpick Guide When Writing On A Cake - when writing cake

Why make it complicated? This toothpick guide when writing on a cake idea keeps an easy tutorial simple. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the when writing cake. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Laurenconrad for the complete recipe.

 

15. Pie Making Do’s And Dont’s

wilton

Handmade - Pie Making Do’s And Dont’s - dont rsquo s

Pie Making Do’s And Dont’s? Sign me up. This is handmade goods done right. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Blog’s full tutorial for all the details.

16. Avoid Batter Splatter

self

Home Decor - Avoid Batter Splatter - avoid batter splatter

Here is home decor, and I keep coming back to it year after year. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Self has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.

17. Use Unflavored Dental Floss To Cut Cheesecakes

thekrazycouponlady

Diy - Use Unflavored Dental Floss To Cut Cheesecakes - floss cut cheesecakes

From a quiet night in to a full house, this use unflavored dental floss to cut cheesecakes idea works if you love a fun DIY. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the floss cut cheesecakes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Thekrazycouponlady at the link.

18. Make Muffin Liners out of Parchment Paper

thekitchn

Crafts - Make Muffin Liners out of Parchment Paper - out parchment paper

Try this make muffin liners out of parchment paper idea next time you’re after fun crafts. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get our full step by step tutorial to try it yourself.

19. Tong Crimping

bakepedia

How to - Tong Crimping - tong crimping

Bakepedia really knows a clear how-to, and this tong crimping idea shows it. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Bakepedia for the complete recipe.

20. Filling An Icing Bag

confectionalism

Tutorial - Filling An Icing Bag - filling icing bag

Around here, this filling an icing bag idea disappears fast whenever I make an easy tutorial. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Confectionalism’s full tutorial for all the details.

21. Become a Pastry Rock Star With This Herringbone Lattice Pie

seriouseats

Handmade - Become a Pastry Rock Star With This Herringbone Lattice Pie - herringbone lattice pie

Looking for handmade goods that actually works? This become a pastry rock star with this herringbone lattice pie idea is it. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Seriouseats has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.

22. Make Decorative Pie Crust

goboldwithbutter

Diy - Make Decorative Pie Crust - decorative pie crust

I will admit it, I am obsessed with a fun DIY, and this make decorative pie crust idea proves it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the decorative pie crust. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Goboldwithbutter at the link.

23. Coat Measuring Cups And Spoons With Cooking Spray

thekrazycouponlady

Crafts - Coat Measuring Cups And Spoons With Cooking Spray - spoons cooking spray

This coat measuring cups and spoons with cooking spray idea is fuss free and delivers on fun crafts. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Thekrazycouponlady to see every step.

24. Uncooked Spaghetti as Frosting Protector

realsimple

How to - Uncooked Spaghetti as Frosting Protector - as frosting protector

No need to overthink a clear how-to – this uncooked spaghetti as frosting protector idea is refreshingly simple. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Try it yourself with our full recipe tutorial.

25. Smoothing Ganache

thisweekfordinner

Tutorial - Smoothing Ganache - smoothing ganache

Smoothing Ganache, and it is a good one. Just an easy tutorial, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the smoothing ganache. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Thisweekfordinner’s full tutorial for all the details.

26. Protect Pie Edges

mommyskitchen

Diy - Protect Pie Edges - protect pie edges

I do not think I will ever get tired of a fun DIY like this. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Mommyskitchen has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.

dreyers

How to - Create Edible Cookie Bowls - edible cookie bowls

Put this create edible cookie bowls idea on your list next time you want a clear how-to. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Dreyers to see every step.

29. Put Cake Pops In A Colander To Dry And Harden

iowagirleats

Diy - Put Cake Pops In A Colander To Dry And Harden - colander dry harden

Credit where it is due – Iowagirleats really delivers on a fun DIY, this put cake pops in a colander to dry and harden idea included. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Iowagirleats for the complete recipe.

self

Crafts - Trick to a Perfect Cookie - trick perfect cookie

We go through fun crafts like this quickly at my house, and this trick to a perfect cookie idea is a favorite. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the trick perfect cookie. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Self’s full tutorial for all the details.

31. Make Frozen Dough Rise Quickly with an Electric Heating Pad

lifehacker

How to - Make Frozen Dough Rise Quickly with an Electric Heating Pad - electric heating pad

Craving a clear how-to without much effort? This make frozen dough rise quickly with an electric heating pad idea has you covered. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Lifehacker has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.

 

Stephanie Hicks | DIY JOY

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Stephanie

Since I lover experiments, I’ve alwaysnloved to create, paint, as well as cook and style food. I feel in love with DIY as soon as I discovered it and could not have been more excited when I learned I could share projects with people around the world. Taking photos is a passion of mine, as is design and painting with oils. I love holidays and celebrations, crafting cute little gifts and serving up at least one new recipe I am excited about.

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