Baking

Baking is a cooking method that involves preparing food, typically baked goods, by using dry heat in an oven. This technique applies to a variety of foods, including bread, cakes, pastries, cookies, and casseroles. The process usually involves combining ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, and fats, and applying heat to transform these mixtures into a final product through chemical reactions, particularly those involving starches and proteins. Baking is distinguished from other cooking methods, such as boiling or frying, as it relies primarily on indirect heat and often results in a crusty exterior and a tender interior in the finished items. The temperature, time, and specific techniques in baking can greatly affect the texture and flavor of the finished product.