Start Here! Especially if you are New.

I was just thinking that I should tell you, my reader, a few things that I just assume when baking/cooking.

• c means cup -dry or wet as the ingredient requires
• t means teaspoon
• T means tablespoon
• temperature is Fahrenheit
  
• bk soda/powder is short for baking soda/powder

General cookie directions are as follows:

• cream butter/shortening/margarine/lard with whatever sugar is required. Eggs and vanilla are beaten in next, if called for.
• dry ingredients should be combined well in a separate bowl. I often just run them through a sieve into the bowl.
• dry ingredients are added to wet and combined without too much stirring, but making sure to get all the way to the bottom of the bowl. This is very important if you are using a Kitchenaid or other stand mixer.

Cake directions are nearly the same as cookies. But dry and wet ingredients are usually added alternately to the butter/sugar/eggs mixture. Cakes are done when a toothpick/cake tester comes out clean.

If recipes vary from these directions, I will mention it. If anyone has any other questions, or I say something confusing, please leave me a comment.