# @sugarspun_sam on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DRSRXFNDvqm
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/37153971-sugarspun-sam-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/6c2d1d0dcb.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-20T16:48:19.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Samantha Merritt (@sugarspun_sam) — https://gondola.cc/sugarspun_sam

## Caption

Things I no longer do as an experienced baker… and my desserts have never been better. 

✨ I don’t use measuring cups. A scale is the best way to guarantee consistent results. Want to level up your baking game? Switch to a scale (PS: It also means fewer dishes — no more washing measuring cups!).

✨ I don’t trust my oven’s personality quirks. MOST ovens don’t run true to temp. I keep an oven thermometer in mine so I know what the real temperature is, and can adjust accordingly.

✨ I don’t pretend all chocolate is created equal — quality makes or breaks a recipe and chopped baking bars are usually a better pick than chocolate chips.

✨ I don’t buy generic baking powder or baking soda. I buy a lot of generic ingredients (flour and butter, for example) but I’ve found the quality control doesn’t seem to be there with generic baking powder and soda. Ever bitten into a baked good and gotten a really intense bitter taste? Generic seems more prone to forming clumps that don’t incorporate well into your dough or batter, and that can leave a bitter taste in your mouth. 

✨ I don’t skip chilling the dough (when called for). The flavor and texture are always better with a rest. 

✨ I don’t open the oven door early “just to check” in the middle of baking. Steam, heat, and rise are fragile things. Checking a *little* early is usually fine, but wait until you are at least close to the indicated baking time. 

✨ And I definitely don’t skip parchment. Not only does it make cleanup easier, it helps ensure even cooking (and avoid over-browning) and you never ever have to worry about your cake sticking to the pan when you flip it again!

✨If you’d like the link to my favorite kitchen tools (including my scale, oven thermometer, and favorite parchment), comment LINK and I’ll send it to you. 

What’s something you stopped doing that changed YOUR baking forever?

#bakingtips #homebaking #bakersofinstagram #bakingadvice #learnbaking #bakingbasics #bakingskills #baking101

## Stats

- **Views:** 23,860
- **Likes:** 960
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 187

## Tags

bakingadvice, bakingskills, bakingbasics, baking101, homebaking, bakersofinstagram, bakingtips, learnbaking

---
Copyright (c) Gondola