Baking Dictionary

Whether you're trying to decipher what went wrong with a particular recipe or brushing up on your culinary knowledge so you can make an informed decision about what to order at your favorite restaurant, a baking dictionary is a valuable resource.

Using yourDictionary.com for Baking Definitions

If you're in the middle of testing a new recipe and you've run across an unfamiliar term, turn to yourDictionary.com for a quick definition. Simply type the term into the search box at the top of the page and hit enter to be taken to a short definition, synonyms, and an audio pronunciation. However, it's important to remember that some baking terms can have multiple definitions. You may need to scroll through unrelated information to find the correct definition of a particular term.

Specialty Dictionaries for Beginning Bakers

While a general dictionary website such as yourDictionary.com can be useful for quickly looking up baking terminology, sometimes it's helpful to have a resource devoted exclusively to answering your baking questions. For example:

• Hershey's website has a simple dictionary that provides short definitions to the most common terms used in baking. If you're a novice cook who can't remember the difference between blending, mixing, and folding, post a printout of this baking dictionary in your kitchen for a handy reference.
• Frugal Cooking has a glossary of baking terms that is guaranteed to be helpful for the cook on a tight budget. You can even print this glossary out to use as a shopping list for creating a fully stocked pantry.
• The Baker's Glossary from the Home Baking Association website provides a helpful tutorial for any beginning baker. In fact, the glossary was originally written as an instructional aid for home economics teachers. Scroll through the alphabetical listing to find the information you need or print out the entire glossary to use as a reference while testing a new recipe.
• Ladycake's Glossary of Cake Decorating Terms is a fabulous resource for the beginning cake decorator. Simply click on the first letter of the desired search term to quickly find the definition you need.

Advanced Baking Dictionaries

Are you ready to take your knowledge of culinary terminology to the next level? An advanced glossary of baking terms can help you learn the lingo used on your favorite cooking television show or in specialty cookbooks. Many of these dictionaries also include terms related to the food and beverage industry as a whole. For example:

• Hormel Foods has prepared a comprehensive glossary of culinary terms for the enthusiastic chef. Definitions are clearly written and pictures are provided as a helpful visual aid for many terms. When applicable, definition pages even link to related recipes. You can search this glossary by typing your term into the box at the top of the page or scroll through an alphabetical index to find the information you need.
• As you might expect, the Better Homes and Gardens website has a handy guide to baking equipment, techniques, and ingredients. The definitions in this baking dictionary are easy to understand while often providing tips on proper food storage and avoiding common baking mistakes. However, some visitors may find the site's advertisements intrusive.
• Baking 911 offers a dictionary of baking and cooking terminology with links to relevant recipes. The definitions are well-written, but the site's small type and cluttered design may be somewhat distracting.
• Linda's Culinary Dictionary is a detailed glossary of cooking, food, and beverage terms. For curious cooks, the historical context of many terms is also provided. No search engine is available, but it's fairly easy to scroll through this site's alphabetical index to find the definition you need.
• If you want to impress your friends, turn to A Glossary of Baking Terminology to quickly locate definitions for terms such as Bavarian cream, phyllo dough, or savarin. The definitions don't provide enough detail to help you actually make a complicated dish, but you'll sound like a true food connoisseur at your next dinner party.

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