Unveil the Ultimate Baking Hack Uncovered Online
Looking back on the countless hours spent scrolling through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, I can’t say I’m proud. However, I can rationalize some of it by acknowledging that I’ve picked up some of my best tips, tricks, and recipes from these apps. From dishes that have become staples in my weekly menu (hello, Baked Feta Pasta and Green Goddess Salad) to tips that have revolutionized my cooking and lifestyle (my lettuce storage will never be the same!), I’ve gathered a wealth of valuable knowledge on TikTok over the years.
One particular tip stands out above the rest—it’s a technique I utilize every single day. This is why the reverse tare measuring method has become one of the most invaluable things I’ve ever learned online.
What Exactly is the Reverse Tare Method?
I have a background in baking, having worked in a bakery as a cake and cookie decorator during high school and college, and consider baking to be my forte as a home cook. Yet, even I have picked up new techniques on TikTok that I never encountered in the bakery. Why? Because home bakers are a unique group of resourceful and ingenious individuals. Who else would have thought to repurpose their microwave plate as a cake spinner?
When I came across the reverse tare method demonstrated on TikTok by home baker (and editor at our sister brand, People!) Ana Calderon, I had a revelation. How did I not think of this sooner?
The reverse tare method is straightforward. First and foremost, any seasoned baker will emphasize the necessity of using a kitchen scale to measure ingredients accurately in baking. It’s not only simpler but also more precise than traditional measuring cups, especially for ingredients like flour. (P.S.: liquid and dry cup measurements differ!) After all, baking is a science, and precise measurements can make the difference between a flawlessly risen cake and a disastrous flop.
So, you’ve acquired a digital kitchen scale—what now? When measuring an ingredient like flour conventionally, you place a bowl on the scale and tare it, resetting the scale to zero to account for the bowl’s weight. Then you scoop the flour into the bowl until you reach your desired weight, emptying the bowl into your mixing bowl afterward.
Reverse taring, on the other hand, is the reverse process. Instead of adding to reach your desired weight, you subtract. Personally, I prefer this method because it eliminates the need for the flour bowl (and the subsequent cleanup). To reverse tare, you place the entire bag of flour on the scale, tare it to zero, and then remove the necessary amount in negative grams or ounces to reach your desired weight. Instead of measuring to 120 grams of flour, you’d measure to -120 grams of flour. Subsequently, you can directly scoop the flour, sugar, milk, or any other ingredient into your main mixing bowl.
This
When I go to measure out my desired amount of beans, I make sure to go straight from the bag to the grinder. This way, I don’t have to dirty any dishes in the process. This baking tip, like many others I’ve picked up online, is all about finding ways to work smarter, not harder. Until recently, I didn’t have a dishwasher, so I can truly appreciate how much time and energy this tip has saved me. It’s one of those little tricks that can truly revolutionize the way you approach cooking and baking. Trust me, you’ll thank me later for this one.Related: You might also enjoy reading about the 1-Step Cake Frosting Tip that Professional Bakers Swear By. To read more, check out the original article on ALLRECIPES.
