General Questions

Aug 25, 2003 1 Replies

I'm just someone who likes to bake, and have been using All Purpose flour with butter and ice water for my crusts, APF and shortening for my muffins, and APF and shortening with store bought yeast for my breads. In reading your posts, I see that choice of flour and the oil/shortening/butter used go far in determining the tone and texture of the results. Can someone point me to a book or FAQ, or make a little matrix on what sort of ingredients do what to the final results of common foods like bread, cakes, cookies, muffins, pies, etc.? I'd like to start experimenting with different flours available at the supermarket, and branching out from basic recipes.



Thanks, theresa


I think you might enjoy reading "Cookewise" by Shirley O. Corriher and/or "Professional Baking" by Wayne Gisslen. Both books discuss the role of ingredients in baked goods. If you are interested in pastry or cakes, then I would recommend the "Cake Bible" and the "Pie and Pastry Bible" -- both books are by Rose Levy Beranbaum. Beranbaum discusses ingredients, techniques, and equipment related to baking.

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