The Baking Answer Book is small in size, but it’s packed with nearly 400 pages of helpful information related to baking. Author Lauren Chattman answers just about any question related to baking that you might possibly have. No kidding.

Chattman even covers how to substitute pan sizes (Baking Pan Volume Guide), how to make all-purpose flour work as cake flour, and how to make piecrust patterns, as well as proper storage for pies and tarts. She also includes several recipes like Rich Caramel Sauce, No-Knead Bread, Scottish Oat Scones, Apple Tart with Cream Cheese Crust and New York Cheesecake. (Disclosure: I …read more

Disposable resources are not eco-friendly. Every item you use once or twice then toss is basically resources down the drain in terms of materials used and energy wasted both in manufacturing and transport. Luckily, there are currently tons of reusable options available that take the place of conventional disposables. Below are some traditional disposables and some alternatives you could be using instead. Even if you just choose a few disposables to give up, it’ll still make a positive eco-impact.

Snack baggies from Plum Creek Mercantile

Instead of plastic baggies use cloth snack bags.
Instead of paper coffee filters use a reusable coffee …read more

I’ve been using silicone baking cups to make muffins or cupcakes for a few years. Some things work well and others don’t turn out so masterful.

Here are some tips based on my experience using silicone baking cups:
• Don’t let them loose in the dishwasher. Yes, most of them are dishwasher safe, but they’re so light they’ll end up in the bottom of your dishwasher. A few people I’ve talked to have said that baskets designed for washing baby bottles work well for the cups if you want to wash them in the dishwasher.
• When washing the baking cups by hand, …read more

 
In our house, AJ celebrates Valentine’s Day the GFCF way…
with Namaste Muffin Mix, Sugar-Free, of course (they are gluten free, casein free, peanut free, soy free, corn free, and sugar free but they actually taste fantastic). The good thing is that he does not mind, as long as I dress them up a bit. I used  Heart Silicone Baking Cups the other day to make heart muffins, I have Triangle Silicone Baking Cups for everyday use, I have  Holiday Cupcake Molds for Christmas and snowflakes and snowmen for winter.
Next on my list? Some Flower Basket Pull-Apart Baking Pan, Fourth …read more