The Differences in the 402 Ruffle Border Pastry Tip

The Differences in the 402 Ruffle Border Pastry Tip

With the discontinuing of the 402 pastry tip from Bakery Crafts and Parrish’s Magic Line (who I both purchased them from wholesale in the past), I’ve been inundated with questions on where to find this tip, or how to replace this tip, or if there …read more

Using Alcohol in Ice Cream: Tips and Guidelines

Using Alcohol in Ice Cream: Tips and Guidelines

If you’re making a little spiked ice cream to cool you down, these rules for making your icy treat will come in handy. The Real Rules of Making Boozy Ice Cream via Serious Eats, by Max Falkowitz, is a pretty good primer on using beer, …read more

What is Pastillage?

What is Pastillage?

Pastillage is a very hard sugar dough used for decorations and show piece work. It can be molded, rolled out, and pressed into forms. It dries very hard and can be sanded if needed to smooth out any rough spots. While just about all recipes …read more

Pies, Tarts, Galettes, and More

Pies, Tarts, Galettes, and More

Here are basic differences between desserts related to the pie. For more information, read all about The Pie Family and All the Cousins. Pie – Dessert with a filling that has a single or double crust. Deep Dish Pie – pie baked in a deep …read more

All About the 10x Grind and Chocolate Espresso Snowcap Cookies

All About the 10x Grind and Chocolate Espresso Snowcap Cookies

What is 10x (or 6x for that matter)? It is a particular grind for powdered sugar, which typically is mixed with an anti-caking agent, such as a starch. Powdered sugar is also called confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, and is used for quick mixing buttercream …read more

What is a Chinois? (Fine Mesh Strainer)

What is a Chinois? (Fine Mesh Strainer)

Chinois A chinois (fine mesh strainer) is an incredibly used and taken for granted piece of pastry equipment. It removes all the spice and herb flavorings from infused simple syrups and makes slightly curdled crème anglaise perfect again. A quick look at them and one used in …read more

What is a Baker’s Blade?

What is a Baker’s Blade?

A baker’s blade is described on PastrySampler.com. There are pictures of what they look like, as well as a video courtesy King Arthur Flour on how they are used to slash unproofed bread.

Basic Conversions to Metric Measurements

Basic Conversions to Metric Measurements

Metric Conversions From centimeters to liters, here are basic equations to help you convert to Metric: Centimeter: Inch to centimeter in x 2.5 to get approx. equiv. cm Gram: Ounce to gram oz. x 28.35 to get approx. gm Kilogram: Pound to kilogram lb. x …read more

Biscuit (Sponge) Cakes – Definition, Pronunciation, and Examples

Biscuit (Sponge) Cakes – Definition, Pronunciation, and Examples

Biscuits have three general terms in the bakeshop: Cut out or dropped quick breads, baked light or soft with a golden brown crust, generally leavened with baking baking powder, baking soda, sometimes a little yeast, or just by the introduction of air such as beaten …read more

What the Heck is a Stalking Horse Bid? Definition & Origin

What the Heck is a Stalking Horse Bid? Definition & Origin

With all the talk of the Hostess company in bankruptcy, I wanted to know what the term ‘stalking horse’ meant to the financial markets as in recent news from Food Business News, a stalking horse bidder was named for the Hostess company. The plain definition …read more