Burnt Offerings .... a learning curve ...

@sueznewz2 (10409)
Alicante, Spain
February 22, 2016 6:10am CST
I have just recently started baking... and find I really enjoy it... Yesterday I made some ginger biscuits.... but burnt them... I am trying to 'sus' out our oven... I have only ever used it to roast meat... so I am trying to get to grips with how hot it gets, and how long it takes...., where to put the biscuits ... middle or top.... of the oven... the temperature dial is very basic... 50. 100, 150. 200. 250...... so it is sometimes difficult to judge, what setting to put it on.... I did check the biscuits .... and they looked good, but were still a bit soft, so I left them for another 5 minutes and when I went back half of them had burnt ... beyond eating.... I also think I may not have made them thick enough.... I don't know... but i'll try try again.... as there are many more recipes that I want to try.....
19 people like this
19 responses
@JudyEv (323662)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Feb 16
Once my whatevers get to nearly cooked I usually check them every 2 to 3 minutes. I think they wait till I shut the door then burn themselves!
4 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
I know what you mean... @JudyEv I'm sure that's what happened ... but will pay closer attention next time....
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 16
Bakig is more of an art than regular cooking I think. You can buy an oven thermometer to check the temperature.
3 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
Thanks @AbbyGreenhill I probably will buy an oven thermometer and keep a closer eye on things...
@rebelann (110754)
• El Paso, Texas
22 Feb 16
I sure hope yer offerin those burntt biscuts to the birds n insects, they'd love a bit of free food and the birds'll make short order of the insects
1 person likes this
@rebelann (110754)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Feb 16
I'm sure you'll figure it all out eventually @sueznewz2 I don't even try anymore but then I'd rather eat chips n salsa than cookies
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
Yes I smashed some up and put them out for the birds.... hopefully I'll get to eat some next time... lol's
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
@rebelann. Mmmm yes me too... i've not got a sweet tooth ......
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
25 Feb 16
Biscuits don't turn crisp until they cool. If the color is fine at the bottom I take them out. I always use the middle tray at 150*
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
26 Feb 16
@sueznewz2 We all learn from our mistakes .. cooking and gardening is learned mostly from experience.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
26 Feb 16
Thanks for that. ... someone else mentioned that.... and I think thats where i've been going wrong...because they were still soft, I left them in a bit longer... then they burnt.... a rookie mistake ..lol's... nowI know...will hopefully get it right next time...
1 person likes this
• India
22 Feb 16
There is nothing to worry about it. Often people fails for first time. You will be a good baker if you try well.
2 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
thanks for your encouragement.... I will definitely keep trying....
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
23 Feb 16
The 'sussing' out of the oven is important before you can freely master your baking you're right. Mine is not as hot as it should be so I have to adjust it!
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
Thanks for that @Marymargll I agree... I need to know my oven ... but as some have suggested I might buy an oven thermometer... and keep a closer eye on the things in the oven as it gets nearer the time to pull them out....
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 Feb 16
@sueznewz2 There's an idea- especially with baking as other foods you can get away with more.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
22 Feb 16
When you first start baking you will burn your food more often than not until you become familiar with your oven. Generally the middle of the oven is where you should place your biscuits. I normally don't set my oven over 350 unless a recipe calls for the oven to go higher.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
Yes i thought there would be some 'mishaps' at first... lol's hopefully It will not take long to get familiar with the oven... and then start producing some edible items... lol's Thank you @Marcyaz for your tips and encouragement
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
22 Feb 16
I use a stone cookie sheet and since I began using it I have never burned cookies.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
Thanks @BelleStarr sounds like a good idea ... I might invest in one at a later date.... but will probably get an oven thermometer for now.... and keep a closer eye on them....
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48220)
• Canada
23 Feb 16
Baking certain things, like biscuits, is an art really. I find that when they look almost baked, it is best to take them out, they will be so hot that they will continue to bake for a few minutes and you'll find they turn out just nicely, of course too early, and you'll be eating raw dough.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
Thanks for that @Juliaacv I'll give that a go.... and keep a closer eye on them too....
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454862)
• Switzerland
22 Feb 16
For biscuits the best is middle of the oven at a temperature around 180, check on them for the cooking time. This depends a lot on the shape and thickness of the biscuits.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454862)
• Switzerland
23 Feb 16
@sueznewz2 I am sure you will succeed, practice will make them perfect.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
Thanks for that.. @LadyDuck I think one of the problems may well have been they were too thin as a couple of the thicker biscuits did not burn ... and even tasted very nice... so will try again...
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
25 Feb 16
When I want biscuits I go to the shop
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 16
ginger biscuits?? i can nearly smell 'em all the way o'er here :) so saddened that'cha missed gettin' 'em out't the optimum time though. most disheartenin'. i used to love to bake myself. then my oven started malfunctionin' 'n made such a dauntin' task. once it finally croaked, i got'n inexpensive lil toaster oven. unfortunately one can only bake a third 'f what i used to 'n 'tis'n all day affair, which i lose interest in. 'n then there's the bread that rises too high 'n burns to the top burner... had purty fair luck though 'til this past Thanksgivin'. e'erythin' i've attempted to bake since's turned to pure rubbish :( big hugs!
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 16
@sueznewz2 charred 'n blackened, eh? yepperz, i'd been scrapin' off what i could 'n slappin' some ice cream'n top, lol. so glad that'cha got'cha some tips 'n tricks to try - always helpful, the folks 'round here :D no frettin' o'er the oven. i jest consider such one more thingy 'round this place that jest don't fly right! big hugs :D
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
It would not surprise me if you could smell them ... @crazyhorseladyx charred and blackened they were.... but the few that were not too burnt tasted nice... so I will try again ... using some of the helpful hints from the good folks on here.... lol's .... I'm sorry to hear your oven is not working right ... big hugs my friend....
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 16
Good luck with your baking. Whenever I make muffins or cupcakes the bottoms burn and I still haven't mastered the art of baking
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
Thank you @Marilynda I hope I can master it ... as I enjoy doing it...
@cacay1 (83270)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
23 Feb 16
Hehehe,try and try again,I do not know how to bake so when I try this , OMG , I do not know the result.It might be charred,
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Feb 16
It was very close to charred... lol's ... but I will try again....
@divalounger (5851)
• United States
24 Feb 16
Baking is such a scientific endeavor --but so satisfying--enjoy--even the burnt offerings!
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
24 Feb 16
Practice makes perfect. All you need is a little more practice to get used to the baking process and also your oven.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303324)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Feb 16
Be sure to check what temp you're supposed to set it at. Every recipe gives a temp and even suggests which rack to put it on, usually the center rack.
1 person likes this
@whiteream (8570)
• United States
25 Feb 16
every oven is different and it takes time to get use to it.
@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
24 Feb 16
Cooking takes practice. I used to do a lot of baking, but since I am alone, don't do much, and I notice things don't always turn out the way they used to.
1 person likes this