8 Helpful Baking Tips Every br Beginner Should Know.br With more time at home due to the COVID-19br pandemic, many people are trying their hand at baking.br Here are eight helpfulbr tips to aid all the newbr bakers out there.br 1. Invest in a silicone baking mat. Not onlybr do they prevent stuck-on messes, they’rebr also reusable, unlike aluminum foil.br 2. Before you start, measure and set out all ofbr your ingredients for a smoother baking process.br 3. To prevent cookies from spreading when baking,br allow them to chill in the refrigerator first.br 4. Don’t overmix! It can lead to toobr much gluten development, making yourbr baked goods unpleasantly chewy.br 5. Get a digital scale to make sure you’re using thebr exact quantities that a recipe is asking for.br 6. Make sure all of your ingredients are atbr room temperature before you start baking.br 7. If a recipe calls for softened butter, br don't use melted butter. It loses its ability to hold air.br 8. Don’t skip steps when baking.