Becoming a baker requires patience, practice and a whole lot of time. And if you’re not a regular in the kitchen, donning an apron can be a daunting task. To help you get started, we reached out to the experts for their advice on all things baking, and they did not disappoint. Make baking a breeze with these 5 tips from the delicious. food team.

1. Read the recipe. In detail. Multiple times. And then stick to it! Baking is a precision sport, so when you’re starting out it’s always best to follow the method to a tee. Don’t go off-book until you feel more confident in your skills.
2. Convert all quantities and measurements into weight ahead of time. Sticking to one set of scales – rather than several measuring cups or spoons – simplifies things. It also helps keep your bench clean which in turn helps you stay organised.
3. Preheat your oven and allow enough time for it to come up to temperature. If you don’t use your oven regularly, or are unsure about its hot spots, test it out in advance to avoid ruining your creation.
4. Use the same sized baking tin or the mould as the recipe. The height or width of a vessel will alter how your dish cooks, so it’s always best to stick with what’s recommended.
5. Don’t overcomplicate things. Pick your centerpiece and let it sing – keep everything else simple.