baking

Definition

Baking is a method of cooking that uses heat to cook food in an oven. The heat causes chemical reactions to occur in the food, which changes its texture and flavour.

The most common ingredients in baked goods are flour, sugar, eggs, and fat. When these ingredients are mixed together and baked, they form a network of gluten strands. These gluten strands trap air bubbles, which give baked goods their light and fluffy texture.

The heat also causes the sugar to caramelise, which gives baked goods their brown colour and flavour.

Baking is a versatile cooking method that can be used to make a wide variety of foods, including cakes, breads, pies, and pastries.

How can the word be used?

The baker was busy baking bread for the morning customers.

Different forms of the word

Noun: baking (the process of cooking food by dry heat in an oven).

Adjective: baking (of or relating to the process of baking).

Adverb: bakingly (in a way that is related to baking).

Verb: bake (to cook food by dry heat in an oven).

Gerund: baking.

Participle: baked.

Etymology

The word "baking" comes from the Old English word "bacan", which means "to dry or cook by exposing to heat". The word "bacan" is related to the Old Norse word "baka", which also means "to bake".

Question

What ingredients are typically used when baking?