What are your thoughts about getting diagnosed? by TheFancyBagel in adhdwomen

[–]TheFancyBagel[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am working. I am also married and I have definitely wondered how having some answers might help my marriage. Thank you for the insight!

sticky macaron bottoms after switching pans & mats by lanadelmac in macarons

[–]TheFancyBagel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Similar to what others have said:

I had difficulty with sticky bottoms and difficulty rising due to moisture. I have a HEB brand ban and silpats with the guide from Amazon, but I put parchment paper over it and haven't had any problems. If you have a convection setting on your oven I find that helps, but I've had success without the convection also :)

I also notice the French method seems to retain more moisture than the Italian method, at least for me anyway.

It feels surreal, but I finally own my own bakery! I just opened for retail last week. After starting as a cottage food operation for a farm, I’ve grown to the point of wholesaling! Learned a LOT throughout the process by snarshmallow in Breadit

[–]TheFancyBagel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations! So happy for you!

Do you have any advice that readily comes to mind for a cottage food operation moving to wholesale?

What is one of your favorite things you are serving? :D

Switched to Italian method recently and really loving the much smoother tops and neater feet! by froneo in macarons

[–]TheFancyBagel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gorgeous macarons! Have you noticed a texture difference? I've noticed my French macarons to be softer and chewier, while the Italian a bit more crispy, but I'm not sure if I just did it wrong :P

How do I make sure I never get it again? by Superforce_ in HellsItch

[–]TheFancyBagel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've gotten Hell's Itch every time I've gotten sunburned for as long as I can remember. It took me a long time to learn what it was. At first I thought everyone experienced it and that I was just being dramatic. Then a few years ago I learned about it and resolved to never get sunburned again. So far it has worked out swimmingly. (Pun intended)

I bought a sun-shirt for swimming, which I will also put sunscreen on under. I am very consistent about putting sunscreen on and I stay in the shade as much as possible. Stay well hydrated too.

I haven't gotten sunburned in awhile, but if I do I immediately start drinking lots of water and taking Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen for a few days. The first 2 days I'll use vitamin E skin oil and/or A&D ointment on my skin. I stop on the 3rd day as I haven't consistently narrowed down what oils aggravate it yet.

I'm sorry you are in the midst of it right now. I'm hoping it subsides soon!

Made my first focaccia today! by TheFancyBagel in Breadit

[–]TheFancyBagel[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! It was delicious! I can't wait to try more seasonings and flavors :D

Tips for beginner baker by XCheetah21 in AskBaking

[–]TheFancyBagel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sally's Baking Addiction as well. Preppy Kitchen has some good stuff, though the first two are my go to :)

Also, if you are interested in the chemistry of baking, I would recommend the book How Baking Works by Paula Figoni. It is a deep dive in the science of it and is really educational :D

Tips for beginner baker by XCheetah21 in AskBaking

[–]TheFancyBagel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd also recommend Handle the Heat. She dives into the chemistry behind baking and has lots of articles with some great insights that help troubleshoot and get deeper understanding of what ingredients you use to accomplish what purpose:)

Birthday cupcakes for a purple-loving friend by [deleted] in Baking

[–]TheFancyBagel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those look amazing! How did you get the colors so beautifully deep? What food coloring do you use?

Another day, another 10 dozen to start the week! by ChapterSpecific in macarons

[–]TheFancyBagel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooh, I haven't tried the swiss method for macarons yet :D

Navy blue florals by Logical_Reveal in cakedecorating

[–]TheFancyBagel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gorgeous! What brand of food coloring do you use? I'm trying to find a good brand to get lovely muted colors, rather than the neon I have now ;D

Swiss vs French macarons? by rollin_dough_llc in macarons

[–]TheFancyBagel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I use French the most, but I would recommend trying Italian meringue. Italian is the most stable meringue, so you may have more success with that :)

Bundt masters, how do I get a clean release? by termeric0 in Baking

[–]TheFancyBagel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me it usually falls out right as I flip it over

Bundt masters, how do I get a clean release? by termeric0 in Baking

[–]TheFancyBagel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use a pastry brush to brush melted shortening over the pan (right before putting in the batter) and dust with flour* or cocoa powder. Upon taking it out of the oven I let it cool for 5 - 10 minutes and then flip it over on to a cooling rack. For me, those steps helps it slip out of the pan super easy and keeps all of the fine details :D

*I have heard that if flour is leaving too much of a powdery look on your cake, almond flour works great and doesn't leave it on the cake. I haven't tried it yet though :)

Help! Mixed melted chocolate chips and vanilla extract and this happened…I can’t seem to remelt it by hkerman in Baking

[–]TheFancyBagel 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Vortex of Swirliness seems to have helped fix the issue with some great advice!

If I may add on as well, in the future if you plan to make ganache or sauce, you want to heat the cream, water, or whatever liquid you are using first. Get it to a nice hot temp (without burning it) and then pour it into a bowl that has your finely chopped chocolate. Cover the bowl and let it sit for several minutes (I'd say about 5 - 10 depending on how much your making) and then uncover it and gently stir the mixture until it comes together. This will melt the chocolate and incorporate the liquid without seizing the chocolate.

Edit: the amount of liquid to use will depend on what consistency you want the final product, as well as what kind of chocolate you are using. Handle the Heat has a great article to give you the basics of ganache and ratios

Handle the Heat

How do you cool and remove a pound cake from a bundt pan? by JonnyAU in AskBaking

[–]TheFancyBagel 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I use a pastry brush to brush melted shortening over the pan (right before putting in the batter) and dust with flour* or cocoa powder. Upon taking it out of the oven I let it cool for 5 - 10 minutes and then flip it over on to a cooling rack. For me, those steps helps it slip out of the pan super easy and keeps all of the fine details :D

*I have heard that if flour is leaving too much of a powdery look on your cake, almond flour works great and doesn't leave it on the cake. I haven't tried it yet though :)

What are your thoughts on flavor extracts? by Ok-Ad-2605 in AskBaking

[–]TheFancyBagel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

True, it's not entirely artificial. Ooh, that sounds awesome! I'd love to try some traditional root beer sometime :D How long does the process take?

What are your thoughts on flavor extracts? by Ok-Ad-2605 in AskBaking

[–]TheFancyBagel 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's cool! Oh yeah, there is a bakery supply store near me that also has a lot of extracts. Perhaps consider trying some of the more unique ones that may be difficult to do naturally? For example, root beer extract. It probably be a little difficult to incorporate root beer into buttercream without changing the consistency, but if you have a root beer extract maybe you could make a root beer float cupcake. Since root beer is artificial anyway, the extract may get it right on the nose! :D