Top 10 Introduction to Baking Tips
By Mich Turner, Founder of Little Venice Cake Company
If you’re thinking about taking up baking as a new hobby in 2026, let me say this first: you are very welcome. Everyone starts somewhere, and the kitchen is a wonderful place to learn, create, and take a little time for yourself.
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Begin with the basics
Simple sponge cakes, biscuits, or loaf cakes are the perfect starting point. They teach you essential skills without feeling overwhelming.
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Read the recipe carefully
Before you do anything else, read it from start to finish. It’s like having a quiet conversation with the baker who wrote it.
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Measure with care
Baking is wonderfully precise. Weighing ingredients accurately will give you confidence and consistent results.
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Choose good ingredients
You don’t need luxury brands, but fresh eggs, real butter, and good-quality flour truly make a difference.
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Prepare before you start
Lay out your ingredients, line your tins, and preheat the oven. A calm beginning sets the tone for enjoyable baking.
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Mind the temperature
Room-temperature butter and eggs mix more smoothly and help your cakes bake evenly.
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Mix gently
Once flour goes in, handle the mixture with care. Overmixing is one of the most common beginner mistakes.
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Get to know your oven
Every oven has its own personality. Keep an eye on your bake and trust your instincts as well as the timer.
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Allow time to cool
Patience really does pay off. Cakes are far easier to handle and decorate once properly cooled.
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Enjoy the process
Baking should feel comforting and joyful. Don’t chase perfection—celebrate progress, creativity, and the pleasure of sharing something homemade.
Baking is a skill you grow into, one recipe at a time. I hope it brings you as much happiness as it has brought me.