Baking is often the mainstay of many family dinners and deserts. These baking tips will have your family gathered around the table in no time.
Step 1: Preheat your oven according to the recipe
Always allow your oven to fully preheat before placing any foods inside. Any cycle designed with preheat can only deliver targeted results when it is allowed to fully preheat. Make sure to always check your recipe time to avoid over or under-cooking foods.
Step 2: Select an appropriate dish for baking
Use a baking sheet or casserole dish, ideally placed on the center rack, to get the best results. Check your Use and Care Guide for optimal rack placement, as it may vary by cycle and cavity. To ensure that your food browns and doesn’t gather too much moisture, choose dishes with a shallow depth. Be aware that dark, dull, non-stick or glass pans may require shorter baking times, in contrast to insulated or stainless steel pans that may require longer baking times.
Step 3: Cover or uncover the food as needed
Though baked foods are often uncovered, your recipe may call for a temporary covering with a lid or aluminum foil to maintain moisture before browning. Foods like lasagna and casseroles often start out covered to avoid drying, but are uncovered for browning towards the end of the bake.
Step 4: Check the temperature and level of browning
Use a cooking thermometer to verify the temperature of meats before removing from the oven. You can also watch for a crispy top and bubbling around the edges of casseroles and pasta dishes to help gauge doneness.