Set Aside Your Own Baking Center

To reduce frustration in baking, I have set aside part of my kitchen as a baking center. A baking center need not be an expansive, lavishly designed area; it only has to be a portion of counter space, which provides a comfortable work surface for you to roll doughs, whip cream, make cakes or decorate desserts. The other necessity is two drawers, either under the work surface or in close proximity to it.

In the drawers should be the small essential utensils—your toolbox— which you may need every time you bake. The tools are always there, in one place, ready for you to use. These little gadgets can even contribute to your ability to improvise in order to save a cake or pastry. If you forget to sift the powdered sugar and your 5-inch sieve is at hand, you can simply pour the sugar through and salvage the glaze while it is still the right temperature.