Category Archives: baking hacks

Baking Resources Guide, Our Monsoon Gift To You!

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That fresh, earthy smell of rain that makes your senses sing; cloudy, misty mornings; the occasional sudden cloudburst that catches you off guard…yes, it’s that time of the year again! The monsoons have arrived and if we haven’t told you yet that baking is one of the best and most perfect indoor activities for when the rains arrive, we’re telling you now!

A complete baking resources guide that gives home bakers the full lowdown on baking ingredients, baking supplies and baking equipment. Plus some easy baking recipes and tips on baking as a family!

When the skies burst forth…our ovens go PING!

A lot of home bakers find that the rainy season, when you’re stuck indoors, often for unreasonably long periods, is one of the best times to discover your baking skills if you’re a beginner or hone them further if you’re a pro in the making. Which is why this monsoon we’ve decided to gift you a comprehensive baking resources guide that will have all of your baking queries sorted (you’re welcome!). Read on for all the baking fabulousness on the blog you ever needed to get your hands on!

A complete baking resources guide that gives home bakers the full lowdown on baking ingredients, baking supplies and baking equipment. Plus some easy baking recipes and tips on baking as a family!

Get, set, bake!

To bake or not to bake? If you’ve been on the fence for a while…

We're celebrating Bake For Family Month, an annual celebration created by the Home Baking Association all of February at Con Affetto

To bake or not to bake?

Been thinking about doing your own baking for a while but not sure if it’s worth the effort or the initial investment? Check out our baking resources guide below which tells you all about the benefits of baking! And hey, when you get the hang of it and experience the unparalleled joy it brings, it seems pretty effortless!

Click here to access your guide to the benefits of baking!

Okay, okay, you’re convinced! But where do you start? It’s way too confusing!

Fret not! The Con Affetto peeps are here with our super simple baking resources guide 😉 For starters, check out our awesome baking supplies guide on all the baking equipment you’ll need to get started as a home baker!

The must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes a stand mixer and many other must have baking toolsNow that the equipment bit is sorted, you need to stock up that pantry. Here’s our snazzy baking resource on all of the baking ingredients that the new home baker needs to get those moist sponge cakes & choc chip cookies (among other things) whizzing outta the oven.

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

All the baking ingredients you need to make magic in the oven!

And now for the cherry on the cake! Our handy baking supplies resource on exactly where you need to go to pick up each of those must-stock baking supplies. A comprehensive baking supplies guide like never before.

You’ve finally begun with baby baking steps…

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

Lets get bakin’!

So the baking equipment and supplies are under control and you’ve discovered the most gorgeous baking stores in your neighbourhood. You’re all set to bake! But, ummm, recipes? We’ve got that bit covered too! Here are some easy peasy recipes for the whole family to get down and baking! Added bonus: some snazzy tips on how to get started when you’re baking together as a family.

You really shouldn’t have any excuses not to bake, not after this fabulous baking resources guide we’re sending your way! So, without further ado, let’s get those aprons on and those ovens pinging! And you know we love hearing from you’ll so do share your baking experiences and recipes with us in the comments below!

Con Affetto’s ULTIMATE Baking Ingredients Checklist: Beginner

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It’s a lazy Saturday afternoon and you’re in the mood to bake a gooey-licious chocolate cake. You get your favourite recipe out, prep the cake pan, measure out the flour and…you’re out of sugar! And baking powder… And there’s just, um, one egg and a scrap of cooking chocolate that’s not enough even for a cookie! Ever been there? Totally sucks, right? We know. And that’s why we’ve put together a list every home baker needs; a list that’ll ensure you have ALL your baking ingredients in place whenever you’re in the mood for some bakin’. Put this on your must-read radar along with our list of must have baking essentials every home baker needs and you’re good to bake!

The ULTIMATE baking ingredients checklist for beginners!

1. Flour

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

The basic baking workhorse!

This is your basic baking workhorse, whether you’re thinking cakes, cookies or breads. Two of the commonly used flours most home bakers come across are plain flour and self raising flour. Self raising flour is plain flour with a raising agent already added. If you’re using plain flour, you’ll need a raising agent like baking powder or bicarbonate of soda to ensure your cakes get that awesome rise you want!

Wholemeal flours tend to give a denser texture, but you can swap part of your refined flour with wholemeal for a healthier version.

Keep watching this space for some funky and healthy recipes using wholemeal flours- coming up soon!

2. Baking Powder

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

Those cakes ain’t rising without this ‘magic’ baking ingredient ;)

When you have flour on the list, baking powder is bound to follow, coz that flour ain’t rising without this must-have on your baking ingredients checklist. Baking powder is a raising agent made of bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar and sometimes, cornstarch. Cream of tartar is an acid which activates the bicarbonate of soda- causing the release of carbon dioxide and helping to aerate the cake with moisture, so that the cake doesn’t get too dry.

3. Bicarbonate of Soda

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

The soda bakers can’t do without :D

Also known as baking soda, this is a base that is called for in recipes that also contain some sort of acid like buttermilk, yoghurt, lemon juice or honey, to name a few. The acid in the recipe reacts with baking soda, creating carbon dioxide and causing your cake to rise.

Just in case you were wondering- baking powder and baking soda are two very different ingredients.


Some recipes call for both baking powder and baking soda- this is usually to get the desired leavening as well as flavour and browning of your baked goodie.

 4. Butterrrrr!!

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

Utterly butterly…cake-licious!

Utterly butterly required on any list of must have baking ingredients! Beaten together with sugar, butter is what gives your cakes its light, airy feel.

Important Baking Tip: Remember, butter needs to be at room temperature for baking.

We CANNOT imagine our creamed cakes without the delicious feel of butter!

5. Another all rounder on the must have baking ingredients checklist…

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

Good ol’ eggs to get that fluffy sponge cake just right

…Eggs of course! Eggs are used in batters for binding as well as to trap air in the batter. As with butter, make sure the eggs are at room temperature before you get baking.

6. Cocoa/ Chocolate

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

Ahhhh…chocolate!

Coz what would a chocolate cake be without this on our must have baking ingredients checklist? Okay, plain vanilla which is also kinda nice, but we admit we’re chocoholics and we must must must have our chocolate cakes! You can go with either cocoa or chocolate. Or be like us and use both 😉 for your cakes, buttercream icings and fillings.

7. Sugar

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

A pinch of sugar…

The sweetest no-brainer on our baking ingredients check-list. There are all sorts of this sweetie of course 😉 Plain old white granulated sugar- nothing quite like this baby for creaming those wet ingredients together.

We have a sugary sweet post coming your way soon: all about the various sorts of sugars you need to sweeten up your baking just right!


Caster sugar tends to be quite popular among home bakers too; it blends real nice thanks to its fine texture. Icing sugar, is what you need for icing-DUH! Then there are a variety of brown sugars- light, dark, muscovado; each with a distinctive flavour and each lending itself to a particular sort of recipe.

8. Spice

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

…and some spice…

Sugar and spice go together to bake all those baked goodies nice :) Think cinammon, ground ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom. A pinch or two can add that burst of flavour that’ll elevate your cake or cookie to the next level.

9. Vanilla Extract

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

…and a hint of vanilla, bakes all things nice!

This can really add that special zing to a recipe which is why it makes it to our list of must have baking ingredients. Invest in real vanilla extract made from vanilla beans, SO much better than the cheaper vanilla essence.

Pssst! Delhi home bakers! You may want to check out THIS fab resource on where to get your baking supplies in Delhi. Includes the full scoop on where you can get some REAL vanilla too!

10. Milk

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

Fresh, creamy, flavorful…the goodness of milk in our gourmet bakes

We like ours full fat for that added creaminess and flavour :)

11. Yeast

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

That bread looks yeasty good!

Yeast. Instant, active dry, rapid rise, there are some yeasty varieties out there. Pick yours depending on what your recipe calls for.

12. Salt

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

Can’t imagine grub without salt? Well, bakes need a dash too…even some sweet ones!

Just a pinch. For that added dimension to your scrummy bakes.

13. Vegetable Oil

Check out this super resource for home bakers; the ultimate baking ingredients checklist for beginners

Make your bakes healthier with this ingredient!

Can be used as a substitute to butter, or swap in a bit for a healthier version. Plus it brings in its own distinctive flavour to the bake at hand. We love our coconut oil for our pumpkin muffin recipe and our sunflower blend for our rich sponge cakes!

Okay peeps, you can stop reading and get baking already! :) And don’t forget to watch this space for the next post in our home baker essential series; we have a post coming up on the ultimate baking ingredients check-list- the ADVANCED version!

Do you have any basic ingredients you think we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below!

Baking Supplies in Delhi: Con Affetto’s Ultimate Guide!

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Good things come to those who bake! We totally agree but you also need good things to bake with, and to bake in! And in a city like Delhi, it can be a tad difficult to find your way around the bake space, especially when it comes to sourcing all those baking supplies. Well, we’re changing all that with our ultimate guide to baking supplies in Delhi. Take a read through and we assure you, ALL your baking requirements will be sorted!

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

The ULTIMATE guide for Delhi home bakers is here!

Of sugar sprinkled roses, frosting ice…ganache, fondant and all things nice!

Great baking has a lot to do with the right ingredients and to get those you need to know where to go. Here are some of our go-to places for getting the basics (and the not-so-basics!) of baking supplies in Delhi.

The Culinary and Cake Decorating School (CCDS)

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

At CCDS life really can be all about roses…in fondant and frosting!

Jelly roll pans. Ready to use gumpaste. White vanilla fondant. Whipped cream mix. Sounds like a baking haven? Well, when you step into CCDS, it’s a dream come true for your inner bakerista! From cake decorating tools and equipment to edibles and supplies, CCDS has all your baking needs- and then some- covered. Cherry on the cake? They stock brands right from KitchenAid and Kenwood to Nigella Lawson, Patchwork Cutters and Batter Buddies. And they now have their own online store as well, so all your baking supplies are just a click away!

Where: A-13, Okhla Estate Marg, Near Crowne Plaza Hotel, DDA Shed, Okhla Phase II and other locations

Modern Bazaar

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

Your basic baking ingredients covered, at Delhi’s Modern Bazaar

This is our go-to store for all the ingredient basics. If you’re thinking flour, eggs, sugar, ready mixes, frosting, food colouring and the likes, Modern Bazaar will have you covered. You’re sure to get what you’re looking for- or at the very least, a close substitute- right here. Their outlets in Vasant Vihar and DLF Phase 1, Gurgaon have an extensive stock of various baking supplies. Bonus Tip: The Modern Bazaar outlets in Vasant Vihar and DLF stock blocks of fresh yeast that you can store at home and use as you please! They also stock the usually hard-to-find egg white powder and wheat gluten.

Where: 15, Community Centre, New Friends Colony and other locations

Pigmento

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

All the chocolate stuff a Delhi home baker needs at Pigmento!

This one is for the chocoholic bakers among us. If you’re thinking chocolate compounds, cocoa, all sorts of chocolate fillings and even stuff like fondant, Pigmento is the place for you. They have an enviable array of raw materials; perfect for baking and chocolate making, as well as a variety of bakeware.

Where: Shop No. 21, Birbal Road, Jangpura Extension, Jangpura

Chandanmal Kanhaiyalal

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

Everything you need for cake decorating at Chandanmal Kanhaiyalal, Delhi

A trip up the stairs of the Community Centre in Karkardooma leads you to a rather dingy looking, small-ish shop. An unlikely place to qualify as a  baker’s haven, you’d think. But you’d be wrong! This little store is loaded to the gills and more with baking supplies that’ll BLOW your mind. Edible printing sheets, pastry sprinkles and beads, edible glitter (we like!), tubs of satin ice rolled fondant, macaroon baking sheets, moulds of all sorts, a range of baking equipment are just some of the things you’ll find here!

Where: 201, United Plaza, Second Floor, Community Centre, Opposite Karkardooma Metro Station, Karkardooma

Food Decor Shop

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

Make your cakes look pretty with supplies from the Food Decor Shop

This pretty little store in Lajpat Nagar totally lives up to its name! If you’re thinking food decoration, the Food Decor Shop will inspire you! The store goes well beyond the basic baking ingredients and equipment (which it also stocks) and offers you a mind boggling array of food colours (in liquid, powder, gel, marking pens!), sparkles, butterflies, sugar balls, pearl confetti, cake tops, cake moulds, cookie boxes….sigh! We’re in bakerista heaven already! Bonus Tip: They also stock a range of ‘Belgium Flavours’- take your pick from Pan Masala, Raw Mango or Cola, to name a few.

Where: B 218, Krishna Market, Lajpat Nagar 1

Baker Solutions

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

The best of cake decoration at Baker Solutions, Delhi

Are you one of those fancy schmancy home bakers who luuurve edible sugar bunnies atop your cakes? Fancy sprinkles, perhaps? Baker Solutions is where you gotta go! From edible sugar accessories, all sorts of sprinkles, metallic sugar beads, frosting tubes to fancy cakes boxes and cupcake holders, Baker Solutions has ’em all.

Find them here: http://www.bakersolutions.in/

The Batter House

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

B’bye last minute trips to the dairy! Hello, whipping cream powder @ Batter House, Delhi!

Have you ever been half way through baking a scrummylicious chocolate cake, only to find that you’ve run out of whipping cream? Well you can forget all about rushed last minute cake shopping trips once you discover The Batter House. They even stock- hold your breath– whipping cream powder– which you can store in your very own home. Yipppeee! Not to mention other baking ingredients and baking tools.

Find them here: http://www.thebatterhouse.com

Some of Delhi’s famed markets: a haven for home bakers!

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

Delhi’s Old Market is a haven for home bakers! Get your pick of baking supplies here

Delhi’s Old Market deserves a mention of its own with its multitude of stores where you can find what you need, and sometimes even what you thought you wouldn’t find in your wildest dreams (Yup, it’s happened to us!).  One of our most visited haunts is the quaint little lane behind Novelty Cinema with a bunch of shops lined up in a row. Now these little shops may not be much to look at, but take a closer look and it’s a market lane straight out of one of Enid Blyton’s faraway, magical lands! For here, you will find a bunch of shops that sell only bars of chocolate. Right next to another little bunch that sells only confetti. Yup, no kidding! Take a trip here and you’ll find everything from flour, cocoa, confetti, flavours, essences, chocolate bars to the latest in baking equipment. INA Market in Delhi is another treasure trove for chocolate lovers; here you will find brands like Calebaut, Selbourne, Morde as well as great quality almond meal, dry fruits, candied peel, whole spices and a variety of soft cheese. Then there is also Sadar Bazaar in Old Delhi; go here for packaging material and stuff like moulds and cupcake liners. Oh, and did we mention that these are wholesale markets so everything you buy will be at super competitive rates, making it well worth the trip here? Other worthy mentions: National Food Products at Daryagunj where you get all sorts of cheese from local to imported and SP Mukherjee Marg near Sadar Bazar with another line of shops selling cooking chocolate, flavorings et al.

We’ve listed some of our absolute faves above, but for many of the basic baking supplies in Delhi, you can also check out your friendly neighbourhood Big Bazaar, Needs or gourmet stores like Le Marche and Nature’s Basket. Fab India outlets have some hidden gems too; e.g. their organic vanilla beans which we totally dig and they stock sachets of vanilla powder too. Then there are also bakeries like Gourmet Affaire’s in GK II which, although not a baking supplies store, will be happy to help you out with a cake tin or liquid color or an edible sugar decoration. And for our dairy needs, there are the good ‘ol Mother Dairy outlets whose buttermilk we swear by!

And on to tins and pans to bung all those bakes in…

When we’ve shopped to our heart’s content for the baking staples, here is where we head to for all our bakeware:

Matchless Machine Tools

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

A treasure trove of baking equipment at Matchless Machine Tools, Old Delhi Market

The days of begging friends and relatives flying in from abroad to cart a muffin tray or cookie punches may be over, with several stores now offering bakeware right here, but it’s always a pleasure to find a veritable treasure trove of all the baking tins and pans you could possibly need under one roof. Which is where MMT comes in with its collection of anything you might ever need to bake in! Baking tins in every conceivable size, cookie cutters, dessert rings, icing sets…you’ll find them all here.

Where: 1730/B, Bazaar Lal Kuan

Cake Craft Store

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

Cake crafting with a lil help from the Cake Craft Store

If you’ve ever dreamed of crafting that perfectly intricate icing rose atop your freshly baked cake; the Cake Craft Store should be your first stop. They stock a variety of crafting tools, rolling pins, silicon onlays, texture mats, cupcake liners, edible photo prints….gasp! We could go on and on, so why not head there and check it out for yourself?

Where: H 101, Sushant Shopping Arcade, Sushant Lok I, Gurgaon

Bharat Crockery Corner

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

All the bakeware you’ll ever need at the Bharat Crockery Store, Delhi

Next time you’re in the mood for some baking, but find your kitchen lacking a tad in the bakeware section, hop on to the metro! Hop off again at the INA Metro station and head straight into Bharat Crockery Corner, right opposite the metro exit. Here you’ll find mini bundt pans, tart pans, scalloped edge cutters, pie plates, jumbo muffin pans, those bright and cheerful silicon baking trays and much more from their very impressive collection.

Where: 197, INA Market, Opp Dilli Haat

Butler Mart

Resource guide for baking supplies in Delhi

Ice your way to perfection with the baking tools and icing knives at Butler Mart, Delhi

Head here for your pick of palette knives, icing knives, baking dishes of every size, cake holders, serving plates and a variety of electrical appliances.

Where: Lajpat Nagar

There are also stores like Osaba (Vasant Vihar), The Home Store, Tarini (GK and DLF Phase 4), Croma and Lifestyle for standard bakeware. And there’s old Delhi market again, with its cornucopia of shops. There are quite a few around the Matchless Machine Tools area, as well as the trusty Sheel Pans in Rajouri Gardens, where you get all sorts of baking pans and tools.

Is there a store in Delhi YOU swear by for your baking supplies? Tell us and we’ll add it to our list! And don’t forget to watch this space for more resource guides on all things baking!

Easy Baking Recipes For The Whole Family

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It’s the last week of ‘Bake For Family Month’ and we hope you’ve been following our series on why baking is SUCH a fabulous activity for the entire fam and ways you can get your whole family to bake together. Bake For Family Month celebrates baking as a family and while the event officially runs every year in the month of February, we at Con Affetto like to rock the baking scene all year round! Coz when you’re looking for fun, creative ways to bond with your peeps, there are few things that can beat baking on the fab-o-meter; AND you get to dig into some delish treats at the end of it!

Check out Con Affetto's favourite easy baking recipes for the whole family to bake together this Bake For Family Month

Family baking fun is what ‘Bake For Family Month’ celebrates!

Here are a few of our favourite go-to super easy baking recipes, that the whole family will have a blast putting together. Check ’em out!

Con Affetto Faves: Easy Baking Recipes For The Whole Family

1. One of our go-to easy baking recipes for when teatime comes round! Banana Oatmeal Walnut Bread

Check out Con Affetto's favourite easy baking recipes for the whole family to bake together this Bake For Family Month

Banana Oatmeal Walnut Bread: the perfect tea time treat! (Image Courtesy: www.archanaskitchen.com)

It’s that time of the day again, when a spot of tea is just what you need to get through the rest of the evening. And a snacky bite to go with it! Something light and scrummy, wholesome and maybe…healthy. Does that sound like too tall an order? Not if we’re talking about this absolutely delish Banana Oatmeal Walnut Bread recipe from Archana’s Kitchen, that combines the goodness of walnuts and oats and turns it into an absolutely divine tea time snack. What’s more, if you have a few of those overripe bananas hanging around your kitchen, you can bung ’em in as well!

We recommend: Serve up some thick slices of this melt-in-your- mouth treat drizzled over with maple syprup and a cup of apple spice tea. You won’t want chai time to end!

2. Putting together a family meal will be a snap with this easy baking recipe…and the whole family can help!

Check out Con Affetto's favourite easy baking recipes for the whole family to bake together this Bake For Family Month

An easy pasta bake; perfect for busy weeknights

An easy peasy recipe with the goodness of veggies and cheese. Now your kids can have their zucchini and eat it too with this fabulous Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables recipe from the Food Network! It’s such a snap to make, the whole family will have a blast prepping for this one. Most of the hard work (read cooking) is done by the oven anyway; one of the joys of baking up a family meal 😉 This one is perfect for weeknights when you’re short on time and too tired to whip up an elaborate meal, but still want to put something together with and for the whole family.

We recommend: Pair this one-dish-meal with a buttery Chardonnay for the perfect accompaniment. Er, before you sue us, OJ for the kids!

3. Chocolate. Cookies. A recipe match made in heaven!

Check out Con Affetto's favourite easy baking recipes for the whole family to bake together this Bake For Family Month

A recipe the kids will love helping you with! Batter licking included ;)

Want to get your kids addicted to baking? You can’t go too wrong with cookies and chocolate. And you’re teaching the young uns a skill that will last them a lifetime! This easy baking recipe of Extra Deluxe Chocolate Chip Cookies was created by mums who love other mums, and their kids. And um, choc chip cookies 😉

We recommend: Bake up an extra large batch of this one, these babies are known to disappear real quick! Goes well with a tall glass of chilled milk.

4. One of our easy baking recipes that’ll have breakfast sorted…

Check out Con Affetto's favourite easy baking recipes for the whole family to bake together this Bake For Family Month

For that zippy, power packed brekker…

The goodness of carrots for breakfast. And its NOT gajar halwa (too much prep for us early morning woozies!). Stumped? We’re talking about Carrot Bran Breakfast Muffins from Food Dee Dum. A healthy, wholesome, nutritious breakfast and it’s a complete meal at that…way too much goodness power packed into one recipe! What a super way to start the day!

We recommend: Some muesli with milk will pair up real nice with this power packed brekker.

5. Our list of easy baking recipes would be incomplete without this one…

Check out Con Affetto's favourite easy baking recipes for the whole family to bake together this Bake For Family Month

A must-bake delectable classic!

A must try baking recipe for beginners and probably something all home bakers attempt in their early days. A simple, delectable basic sponge cake recipe from Tarla Dalal. Master this one and you and your fam have conquered the first step towards crafting dessert awesomeness!

We recommend: Cut up that sponge cake into fingers, let soak in some chocolate sauce, drizzle over with nuts and….bliss out!

So get those baking hats and mitts on, get your folks into the kitchen and get baking! Pick one of our faves or bring in your own recipe. Do YOU have any easy baking recipes your whole family enjoys baking together? Share it with us and we may just feature it- and YOU- on the blog!

Easy Nutella Brownies: Con Affetto’s Dessert of the Month!

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Imagine a sea of decadent chocolate. Creamy. Sinful. Not overpoweringly sweet or chocolate-y, just right. With the perfect crunch of hazelnut. Now blend it all together into one divine combination, pop some into a jar and you have an instant happy making combination that people all over the world swear by (and even obsess over!). Yeah, we’re talking about everybody’s favourite chocolate hazelnut spread: Nutella!

Hey, did you know that February 5th is celebrated world over as World Nutella Day? Yup, there really is a World Nutella Day and it’s official!

 Easy Nutella brownies recipe to celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5th. Con Affetto's Dessert of The Month, easy Nutella brownies, three ingredients ONLY!Italy celebrates a Nutella Fest! We approve!

Easy Nutella brownies recipe to celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5th. Con Affetto's Dessert of The Month, easy Nutella brownies, three ingredients ONLY!We’d like one of those too, please 😉

We think February is the purr-fect month for celebrating all things Nutella anyway, what with it being the season of love and Bake for Family Month. SO, for our Dessert of The Month series this month we are bringing to you an absolutely brill, must have, must know, must try, you’ll go crazy when you eat this dessert: easy Nutella brownies!

Presenting Con Affetto’s Easy Nutella Brownies Recipe!

It’s so surprisingly easy peasy it’s almost unbelievable! Here goes:

What you’ll need:

Easy Nutella brownies recipe to celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5th. Con Affetto's Dessert of The Month, easy Nutella brownies, three ingredients ONLY!

1 1/4 cup of our star ingredient: Nutella!

Easy Nutella brownies recipe to celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5th. Con Affetto's Dessert of The Month, easy Nutella brownies, three ingredients ONLY!

TWO eggs!

Easy Nutella brownies recipe to celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5th. Con Affetto's Dessert of The Month, easy Nutella brownies, three ingredients ONLY!

Half a cup of all purpose flour

AND

That’s it! Yup. THREE. INGREDIENTS. And you’re sorted! See what we mean by easy Nutella brownies recipe? With the operating word(s) being easy peasy 😉

Get Baking!

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prep an 8X8 inch baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, bung in all the ingredients and combine until smooth. Smooth the top with a spatula.

3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Be careful not to over bake! We want those brownies soft and chewy, not dry and crusty.

Easy Nutella brownies recipe to celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5th. Con Affetto's Dessert of The Month, easy Nutella brownies, three ingredients ONLY!

Cool, cut, serve and YENJOY!

We’ve been baking up a batch in the Con Affetto kitchen as we were typing out this post (super multi tasking, no? 😉 ) and we’ve just heard our oven timer PING…so…. :) Later, peeps! Um, in case you’re still around reading that is. We’re pretty sure we lost you’ll at “bake for 25-30 minutes…” and you’re probably thinking about baking your very own easy Nutella brownies already!

Easy Nutella brownies recipe to celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5th. Con Affetto's Dessert of The Month, easy Nutella brownies, three ingredients ONLY!

Can perfection get any better? Yessir! Drizzle some melted Nutella over Nutella brownies and you do just that 😉

Got a crazy chocolate craving RIGHT NOW? How about digging into one of our ‘Sinful Love’- vanilla butter sugar cookies dipped in chocolate (swoon!) bouquets? Call us!

BONUS!!! Easy Nutella Brownies: Con Affetto’s Tippy Tips!

Easy Nutella brownies recipe to celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5th. Con Affetto's Dessert of The Month, easy Nutella brownies, three ingredients ONLY!

OR you could even sprinkle over some frosting sugar!

Easy Nutella Brownies Tip #1:

These babies are kinda fudgy, just the way we like ’em. If you want yours more cake-y, bung in 1/2 a teaspoon of baking soda to the ingredients.

Easy Nutella Brownies Tip #2:

For a healthier version you can replace the all purpose flour with almond flour.

Easy Nutella Brownies Tip #3:

Okay, this more like a SUPER bonus and less like a tip. You can even make these babies with TWO ingredients. Yup, you heard that right. TWO. Just swap two eggs with four eggs (make sure you whisk them super, like super, nice) and use 11/4 cup of Nutella. You’re welcome. You can go die of happiness now 😉

10 Must Have Baking Essentials Every Home Baker Needs

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The must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes a stand mixer and many other must have baking tools

Are you a passionate weekend baker, secretly waiting for Friday night so you can slip into those oven mitts and get up close and personal with your latest recipe of snickerdoodle cookies? Or maybe you bake multiple times a week and always have a triple batch of cookie dough resting in the fridge and a cinnamonny smell wafting through your kitchen. Or maybe…you love baking and have been planning to do it for a while but you don’t quite know where to begin. Well, whether you’re a home baking pro or an amateur, the following should be on your must-read list:

10 Must Have Baking Essentials Every Home Baker Needs!

1. A heavy duty stand mixer

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes a stand mixer.

A stand mixer is your baking BFF! Image Courtesy: www.kitchenaid.com

Do you have a BFF? If you do, you’ll know what we mean when we say that a stand mixer is going to be your BFF in the kitchen if you’re serious about baking. A reliable, trusty workhorse, a stand mixer is exactly what you need whether you’re thinking cookies, cakes, breads, pizza dough…or pretty much any sort of dough you’ll need to get baking! And that’s precisely why it makes it to the top of our list of must have baking essentials every home baker needs. The artisan stand mixers from KitchenAid make for a great investment for the serious home baker.

2. The right spatulas

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes a spatula

That perfect pizza crust needs some trusty spatulas to get it right…

Scraping. Mixing. Smoothing. Frosting and loosening. Holding and lifting. You’ll be doing all or most of these when you get baking and as you’ll see, a set of good quality spatulas will come in handy- quite literally!

3. Measuring cups and spoons

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes measuring cups and spoons

Measure ’em right!

“Be exact.” This is one of the most common pieces of advice you get when you start baking. Baking is a science and needs exact, precise measurements. Handling all that flour and milk and sugar and butter ain’t easy! And unless you’re a robot or a computer, you’re going to need them measuring cups and spoons.

4. Baking Sheets & Parchment Paper

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes baking sheets and parchment paper

Good quality baking sheets are an essential investment for the serious home baker

Ever baked the perfect batch of cookies only to have them ruined at the last minute because the baking sheet warped or burned? Trust us you don’t want that to happen to you. Preempt any such potential baking disasters by investing in good quality baking sheets.

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5. Oven thermometer

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes an oven thermometer

Nobody wants a ‘scorcher’ coming out of their oven!

No list of must have baking essentials every home baker needs can be complete without this particular item. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: all ovens are slightly off, temperature wise and- like with all things baking- you need to be exact when it comes to getting that temperature right. Any one who’s longed to bake that perfect cake and gotten the perfect scorcher (ouch!) outta the oven instead will agree!

6. Mixing bowls

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes mixing bowls

For all that mixing!

It seems kind of obvious but you’ll be amazed at the scrapes many first timers get into because they don’t have a basic set of mixing bowls in place. Our list will make sure you’re not one of them! With a set of mixing bowls across various sizes, you’ll be all set for all that measuring, holding, scraping and mixing.

7. Cooling racks

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes cooling racks

Coz even cakes and cookies need some chillin’ ;)

Ping! The sound you’ve been waiting for- the oven timer goes off! You pace around restlessly allowing for the standing time the recipe stated and then bring out that tray of gorgeous double chocolate chip cookies. But wait! You’re going to have to wait for them to cool before you can start scarfing them down- cooling is an integral part of the baking process, it adds to the firmness and texture and helps air circulate around your freshly baked goodies. This is where cooling racks come in handy.

8. Whisks

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes whisks

Creaming, blending, mixing, folding…call for whisks!

Whisking, beating, blending, mixing, creaming…just some of the many joys of baking! But these can get kinda messy without those magical whisks; plus whisks add volume and froth to foods and are integral to developing that perfect cake batter. A must have investment for a smart home baker.

9. Cake pans

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes baking pans

But what is a cake without the perfect pan?

Ever had to bake in a casserole or pan that was totally the wrong shape because you didn’t have the right cake pan and ended with a great tasting but miserably misshapen cake you were too embarrassed to show anyone? Cake pans. The first step to getting that awesome cake looking as good as it deserves to. Check out the fab collection of baking trays here and guess what? They have a sale on too, right now! Sweet!

10. Rolling pin

Must have baking essentials every home baker needs includes a rolling pin

Roll, roll, roll that pin…gently down the dough!

One that you like getting your hands on and getting down and messy with. Make sure you get one that is wide enough to cover the width of the dough or icing you’ll be working with. And if you do a lot of cake decorating, it might make sense to also invest in a mini-pin for more intricate work.

So there you have it! Your go-to list of must have baking essentials every home baker needs. Are there any must haves you think we should have on this list? Tell us in the comments below!

How To Bake The Perfect Brownie: 8 Must Know Hacks!

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Chewy… Fudgy… Dense… Moist…

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie will ensure soul satisfying brownies every time

Chewy…fudgy…chocolicious! What’s your brownie type?

We sure take our brownies seriously here at Con Affetto! We even match our brownies to personality type 😉 Dense brownies for the serious sort; crumbly brownies for the soft-hearted, there’s always the perfect brownie for everyone! And whether it’s a chocolate hug in a mug at the end of a long day or much needed comfort food at the beginning of a difficult one; you can always count on a brownie to bail you out. So it always helps if you know how to bake your brownie just right. Here are some super simple hacks that’ll help you bake the perfect brownie every time!

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie will ensure soul satisfying brownies

Brownies are the ultimate comfort food!

#1: Make up your mind

Is it a fudgy brownie you want or a cake-y one? Blondies more your style? Decide what you want before you get baking, and choose your recipe carefully because every different sort of brownie requires a different mix and proportion of ingredients.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie will ensure your brownies are baked to perfection

To bake the perfect brownie you need the perfect recipe!

#2: To bake the perfect brownie you need the perfect eggs…

And by perfect we mean eggs at room temperature. Cold eggs don’t mix well and just make for unhappy, too-dense brownies (perfect for the office grouch maybe 😉 ). So get your eggs out of the fridge at least a half hour before baking.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownies will turn you into a baking pro

Egg-ther you have it or you don’t!

Related: 5 Handy Cake Decorating Hacks That Will Blow Your Mind!

#3: Be gentle with the flour!

When it comes to folding in the flour, if you’re gonna heave it all together what you’ll get are thick, chewy brownies. So be gentle and don’t over stir. An easy trick is to fold the flour in till a few streaks are showing and leave it at that.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, be gentle with the flour

A little gentleness with your flour will go a long way to brownie baking perfection!

#4: How hot is your oven?

Clueless? Invest in an oven thermometer and you are well on your way to brownie baking perfection. Most ovens are off temperature-wise and when it comes to baking, even a few degrees can be the difference between the perfect brownie and a tasteless blob!

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, invest in an oven thermometer

An oven thermometer is a great investment for serious home bakers

#5: To bake the perfect brownie timing is EVERYTHING

Yes it is. Time it right and you’ll have soul satisfyingly delicious brownies popping out of your oven Every.Single.Time.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, timing is everything

Watch that clock!

#6: Don’t wait till the end to check on your brownies

Check on your brownies at least 5 minutes before the time stated in your recipe. This is because when you’re baking from a recipe, there will be a lot of variables you’re working with: oven heating, type of pan etc. And like we said earlier, when it comes to baking, even an extra minute or two can make a difference.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, check on your brownies 5 minutes before the recipe time

You’ll have happy brownies popping out of your oven in no time ;)

#7: Happy pans make happy brownies!

Light-coloured, shiny pans conduct heat more evenly as opposed to dark-coloured or glass pans which can cause the edges to over bake or burn. Choose your pans carefully, bake your brownies in the center of the oven and don’t put them in until the oven is preheated.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, get the right bake ware

Your bake ware is an essential ingredient too!

#8: Work the lining

Use greased parchment paper or wax paper to line your pan and leave an overhang on the sides to create handles. When your brownies have cooled, use the handles to gently lift out your brownies.

Our top 8 hacks to bake the perfect brownie, don't forget to line it right

Add the final touches with the right lining, your perfectly baked brownies are almost done!

And lastly, when you’re done baking your gooey perfection, give them some time to cool, before you dig in! Trust us, the texture and flavour of your brownies is SO much better when cooled. Do YOU have any pro tips when it comes to baking the perfect brownie?  The most funky & helpful tips stand a chance to get featured on the blog- so TELL US already! :)