Test Kitchen Tips

Our Test Kitchen is full of culinary experts who have picked up plenty of handy tricks and techniques over the years. Check out our favorite cooking tips that’ll make cooking and baking at home easier than ever.

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    How to Wash Berries for Best Results

    Learn how to wash berries, from blackberries to raspberries, to enjoy them to the fullest.


    11 Secret Tricks Grandma Never Skipped When Making Frosting

    Want fluffy frosting for a homemade cake? Try Grandma's timeless techniques that've been passed down generations.


    How Long Do Condiments Last? A Definitive Guide

    Wondering if your condiments really expire? Use this guide on how long condiments last to decide what can stay and...


    The One Thing You’re NOT Doing with Your Paper Towels (But Should Be)

    Paper towels belong in your refrigerator. Surprised? Hear us out!


    8 Tips for Making Pudding from Grandma’s Kitchen

    Making pudding from scratch? Don't skip these old-school tips that'll make it taste even better.


    How to Clean Fruits and Vegetables to Rid Them of Pesticides

    Cleaning the "Dirty Dozen" (aka the 12 fruits and vegetables most likely to be covered in pesticide residue) is no...


    12 Grilling Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

    Learn how to avoid common grilling safety mistakes, like grilling too much food at once, causing flare-ups, and starting the...


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    This Is How to Shred Cheese So Nothing Sticks to the Box Grater

    Say goodbye to cheese that sticks to the grater!

    Your Guide to Cooking with CBD Oil

    Curious about trying CBD? We've compiled the ultimate guide to cooking with CBD oil.


    5 Best Evaporated Milk Substitutes

    This pantry staple is a must for baking certain cakes and pies. In a pinch, use one of these substitutes...


    The Ultimate Guide to Baking Substitutes

    Baking can seem like an impossibly precise science, but there's a little wiggle room when you're missing a key ingredient....


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    8 Easy Ways to Make a Cream Cheese Substitute

    Out of cream cheese? No need to make a grocery run. Get cooking with these easy cream cheese substitutions.


    13 Substitutes for Butter in Cookies and Other Baked Goods

    Got a craving but out of butter? Try one of these handy substitutes for butter in baked goods and beyond!


    The Best Sweetened Condensed Milk Substitutes to Use in a Pinch

    Ever been in the middle of a baking project and realized you're flat out of sweetened condensed milk? Here are...


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    3 Yogurt Substitutes to Use—and 3 You Should Skip

    Running low on yogurt? Don't rush to the store to grab another container! You may have a yogurt substitute hanging...


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    How to Make Canned Frosting Taste Homemade

    Don't have time to make frosting from scratch? Learn how to make canned frosting taste homemade.


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    9 Heavy Cream Substitutes for Any Recipe

    Heavy cream lends a velvety texture to anything it touches. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make a heavy...

    5 No-Fail Sour Cream Substitutes

    Skip the grocery run and get on to the good stuff—whatever it is you're cooking!


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    How to Make a Buttermilk Substitute 5 Ways

    No buttermilk? No problem! Get cooking with an easy buttermilk substitute or replacement.


    What is Fond and Why You Should Use It

    Fond is one of the key ingredients to a delicious gravy or pan sauce. So never, ever wash away those...


    What Is Cultured Butter and When Should You Use It?

    Have you seen cultured butter in the dairy case? Find out exactly what it is and why you just might...


    6 Essential Baking Ratios That You Should Know

    Make your favorite baked goodies with this handy baking ratios chart—no recipe needed!


    Here’s the Difference Between East Coast vs West Coast Butter

    We had no idea about the difference between East Coast vs West Coast butter!

    This Is Why Grandma Baked with Hard Boiled Egg Yolks

    Just when we thought Grandma had shared all her baking secrets, this hidden gem left us floored.


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    How to Proof Bread Dough

    Learn how to proof bread dough the right way with these pro tips from our Test Kitchen. They'll help you...


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    Bread Not Rising? Here’s Why (and How to Fix It)

    Yeast can be a fickle ingredient, but it's essential for homemade bread recipes. Learn why your bread is not rising...


    10 Sourdough Discard Recipes to Make with Your Extra Starter

    Try these sourdough discard recipes the next time you feed your starter—so you don't have to waste the excess!


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    The Ultimate Guide to Baking Cookies

    Go grab your apron—you're going to need it. This all-inclusive guide contains everything you need to know about baking cookies...


    How to Soften Brown Sugar (and Keep It Soft)

    Ever gone to make a batch of cookies, only to find that your sugar has turned into a brick? Here's...