Baking - The Beginners Guide

[somegroovychick]

@Masi_Museebtay

I have question..I am looking for a brownie recipe and came across a few, some ask cocoa powder and some chocolate chips.. which one will be better? Also can i substitute walnuts for pecans, does it make much of a difference?

Also if anyone can please give me a tested recipe for brownies, chewy, rich and dense type ? I’ll be making it for the first time and I don’t want to mess it up.

i think it comes down to personal taste… i say make two test batches with each and see which one you prefer!
this brownie recipe always, always gets me rave reviews and i’ve had requests for pans at every gathering we go to. i had to stop because it got so boring making the same dish over and over!
Deep Dish Brownies - All Recipes

@Sara516

Okay, two very random questions.

What does a stand mixer (that $300 kitchenaid mixer thingy) do that a regular electric mixer can’t do?

and how do you clean your icing tips? I use qtips, toothpicks, but there’s always a little bit left in there.

ohhhh sara, thats like asking what a bmw does that a toyota can’t!
its super, super useful when you need to make icing in large batches or make doughs or more than one cake mix at a time. and its so pretty! its seriously the best baking tool you could have. definitely worth the splurge!

@Mehnaz

The kitchenaid mixer is simply prettier. No, it can mix a lot more batches of icing and does the job for you instead of you holding it. That’s all I can tell. I think SGC has one so maybe she knows for sure how it’s better. All I know is that I want one, even though I have no place to put it and don’t have the money to waste.

To clean you tips, you should have this tiny little brush specifically for getting into those tiny holes and cleaning it out. You can also boil them in water (assuming you are using the Wilton or Ateco tips).

get one! trust me… its the best!

the little tip cleaner is available at bulk barn where all the icing supplies are.

@jalpari90

Is there any substitute for Philadelphia cream cheese? I want to try this:

Chocolate Mousse Torte - All Recipes

here is a discussion on subs for philly- Substitute for cream cheese? - Discuss Cooking - Cooking Forums

and

Substitute for cream cheese

-Equal parts of cottage cheese, drained, blended with half-and-half or cream + a little butter
-8 oz lower fat cottage cheese 1/4 cup margarine
-Equal amts.. of lower fat (Neufchatel) cream cheese
-Equal parts of ricotta cheese plus plain yogurt

Equivalents

8 oz. = 1 cup (1/2 pound)
3oz = 1/3 cup or 6 tbsp., 3/8 cup