How Long to Let Bread Dough Rise: First and Second Rise Times
Bread dough needs 1 to 2 hours for the first rise and 30 to 60 minutes for the second at room temperature. Times by temperature, plus how to test it.
Baking Muffins — Muffins, quick breads and the science of home baking.
Bake Off 2026 Week 8: Connie Out, Moyin Wins Star Baker
Connie, the last woman in the tent, left The Great British Bake Off 2026 in week 8. Moyin won Star Baker for Caramel Week. How each challenge went.
Bake Off Series 17 Bakers Struggle With Millionaire’s Shortbread
The Great British Bake Off series 17 asked for millionaire's shortbread with caramel cooked to 112 degrees Celsius, and most layers did not set in time.
Muffins
All Muffins
Why Are My Muffins Crumbly? 8 Causes and How to Fix Each One
Crumbly muffins usually come from too much flour, too little fat or egg, or overbaking. See the 8 common causes, the fix for each and how to cool them.
Mixed Berry Yogurt Muffins: Fresh or Frozen Berries, Greek or Regular
Mixed berry yogurt muffins bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18 to 22 minutes. Recipe in cups and grams, plus Greek vs regular yogurt, frozen berries and storage.
Donut Muffins: Cinnamon Sugar Recipe Plus Jam and Maple Variations
Donut muffins are nutmeg-scented muffins dipped in butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Get the recipe, jam-filled and maple versions, and storage tips.
Substitutions & Conversions
All Substitutions & Conversions
Salted vs Unsalted Butter in Baking: How Much Salt to Cut
You can swap salted and unsalted butter in most recipes. Cut about 1/4 teaspoon of salt per 1/2 cup of salted butter, and here is how to adjust.
Bread Flour vs All-Purpose Flour: Swap Rules for Bread and Pizza
Bread flour and all-purpose flour swap 1:1 by weight in most recipes. See how protein changes chew, rise and crust in bread, pizza dough and muffins.
Yeast Substitute in Baking: 3 Options and What Changes
Sourdough starter is the closest yeast substitute; baking powder or baking soda with acid make a quick, denser dough. See ratios and what changes.
Baking Basics
All Baking Basics
How to Tell If Eggs Are Bad: Float Test, Smell and Carton Dates
Eggs that float, smell sulfurous or show pink or green whites should be thrown out. The float test, smell test and carton dates explained for bakers.
Can You Freeze Pie? What Freezes Well and How to Thaw It
Yes, you can freeze pie: apple, pumpkin, pecan and pie dough all freeze well when wrapped tightly. See how long they keep and how to thaw them safely.
Sweet Potato Pie vs Pumpkin Pie: Standard Recipe and How They Differ
Sweet potato pie is usually sweeter, more buttery and lighter in texture than pumpkin pie. Here is a standard recipe, plus how the two custard pies differ.
Equipment
All Equipment
Stand Mixer Buying Guide: Bowl Size, Power and Mixer Type
Most home bakers need a 4.5 to 5 quart tilt-head stand mixer. See when to choose a bigger bowl-lift model, how to judge power and which attachments matter.
Gift Ideas for Bakers: Useful Tools by Budget and Skill Level
The best gifts for bakers are tools they use every week: a kitchen scale, oven thermometer and good pans. Picks by budget, up to a stand mixer.
Non-Toxic Baking Sheets and Pans: Every Material Explained
Stainless steel, cast iron, glass and stoneware are the most inert baking pans. How aluminum, nonstick, ceramic and silicone compare.
Pies & Tarts
All Pies & Tarts
Classic Apple Pie: Best Apples, Thickening and No Soggy Bottom
Classic apple pie works best with a mix of firm tart and sweet apples and a starch thickener. The recipe, bake times and soggy bottom fixes are below.
Evaporated Milk Substitute for Pumpkin Pie and What Changes
Half-and-half is the easiest evaporated milk substitute for pumpkin pie. See ratios for cream, milk and condensed milk, and how each changes the filling.
Classic Pecan Pie Recipe: Corn Syrup or Not, and Keeping the Filling Set
A standard pecan pie in cups and grams, with options if you skip corn syrup and tips for setting the filling so it slices cleanly instead of running.
Holiday Baking
All Holiday Baking
Soft Dinner Rolls From Scratch: Standard Recipe, Make-Ahead and Freezing
Soft dinner rolls need flour, milk, butter, egg, sugar, yeast and salt, about 3 hours start to finish. Plus overnight make-ahead and freezing steps.
Classic Pumpkin Pie With Canned Pumpkin and Evaporated Milk, and How to Tell It Is Set
A standard pumpkin pie recipe using canned pumpkin and evaporated milk, with baking temperatures and the jiggle test that shows when the custard is set.
Thanksgiving Pies Ranked Easiest to Hardest, and Which to Bake Ahead
Pumpkin, apple, pecan and sweet potato pie compared by difficulty, with clear advice on which pies you can bake ahead and which are best fresh.