Why is my cake dense?
Why is my pie crust shrinking in the oven?
One such variable that Ive witnessed make or break baked goods is ingredient temperature.
Photo:Johnny Autry. EatingWell design.
What Does Room Temperature Mean Exactly?
First, lets define what room temperature is.
Why Do Recipes Call for Room-Temperature Butter?
So why is it that we want butter to be pliable?
Too cold and the butter wont let the air in; too warm and the air will quickly escape.
Why Do Recipes Call for Room-Temperature Eggs?
As an emulsion, butter is very sensitive to changes in composition and temperature.
Thus, you want to avoid a big fluctuation in temperature as well.
What About the Other Ingredients in the Recipe?
Milk (dairy or plant-based), sour cream, yogurt, cream cheese, etc.
A lot of sources will tell you that it’s possible for you to soften butter in the microwave.
The problem with microwaves, however, is that they heat unevenly and rather intensely.
Getting eggs to room temperature is an even quicker task.
Simply put your eggs in a bowl filled with tepid (bathwater-temperature) water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Theres no excuse anymore!
