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Ingredient Function

Welcome to my ingredient function category. I’m still building it out, but you’ll find solid information about ingredients routinely used in the pastry kitchen, what they do in baking, and how to make them do what you want.

Three small clear glass jars filled with pale yellow lemon pudding. Two of the jars have a slit whole strawberry on their rims.

All About Custard

A ramekin of dry yeast spilling onto a wooden surface.

What Does Yeast Do In Bread Baking?

What Eggs Do In Baking | Function of Eggs In Cakes

What Eggs Do In Baking | Function of Eggs In Cakes

How to Choose the Right Kind of Flour

How Do I Choose The Right Kind of Flour for #Fundamental Friday

A bundle of vanilla beans tied with twine on a wooden surface.

Madagascar Bourbon, Mexican or Tahitian: Comparing Three Types of Vanilla

What Does Salt In Baking Desserts Do (And Can I Leave It Out?)

An overhead shot of a white bowl of granulated sugar with a wooden spoon in it shot on a blonde wooden background.

Sugar: How Sweet It Is!

Ingredient Function | Fat: What It Does and How It Works

Hi! Iโ€™m Jenni Field

So Happy you are here. Iโ€™m a passionate cook and baker. After teaching special education for 16 years, I left teaching and attended the Orlando Culinary Academy in 2005-2006.

Now Iโ€™m here to teach you the โ€œwhysโ€ behind the โ€œhowsโ€ of cooking and baking. Once you learn those fundamentals, youโ€™ll be more relaxed and more creative in the kitchen. Let me help you be fearless in your kitchen!

Read More about me

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Trending Recipes

A sliced loaf of cinnamon raisin bread on a cutting board with a bread knife and a jar of ground cinnamon in the background.

The Best Cinnamon Raisin Bread Recipe

A white paper tray of 12 slider buns filled with poppy seed and butter filling, ham, and cheese.

The Best Ham Biscuits

Crispy, Crunchy, Homemade Butterfinger Recipe

penne alla vodka on a blue plate with focaccia.

Easy Penne alla Vodka Recipe (with Jarred Sauce)

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My Top 5 Secrets to Becoming Fearless in the Kitchen

Plus weekly new recipes, how-tos, tips, tricks, and everything in between

Latest Recipes

A stack of beige candy bars flecked with toasted coconut on a blue plate. There are 3 wrapped, store bought Zagnut bars in the background.

Homemade Zagnut Recipe

A bowl of bucatini carbonara topped with crispy bacon and black pepper on a blue napkin with a knife and fork in the foreground.

Bucatini Carbonara (with Bacon)

A stack of 3 pancakes with syrup pouring over them.

Overnight Pancakes (Yeast-Raised, Easy)

A high-angle shot of a rectangular casserole dish full of panko-topped baked shells and cheese with a spoon in it.

Creamy Baked Shells and Cheese

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  • About
    • Work with Me
    • FAQ
    • What Does a Pastry Chef Do?
  • Recipe Index
  • by Type
    • 8 Ingredient Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread and Rolls Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments and Jams
    • Meat
    • Poultry
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Stew
    • Vegetarian Meals
  • Savory
    • Burger Recipes
    • Meat
    • PIzza Recipes
    • Poultry
    • Sandwiches
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Stew
  • Sweet
    • Butterscotch Recipes
    • Cake Recipes
    • Candy Recipes
    • Cheesecake Recipes
    • Chocolate Recipes
    • Cobblers, Crisps and More
    • Cookies and Bars
    • Custard and Pudding Recipes
    • Dessert Sauces
    • Ice Cream Recipes
    • Icings, Frostings and Fillings
    • Individual Desserts
    • Muffins and Quick Breads
    • Pastry Dough
    • Pies and Tarts
    • Pound Cake Recipes
  • Holidays
    • Christmas Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Mother’s Day Recipes
    • New Years’ Recipes
    • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Valentine’s Day Recipes
  • Family Recipes
  • Baking Resources
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Legal Disclosures
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