Baking is a method of preparing food that uses dry heat, typically in an oven, but
can
also be done in hot ashes, or on hot stones. The most common baked item is
bread,
but many other types of foods can be baked.[1] Heat is gradually
transferred
"from the surface of cakes, cookies, and pieces of bread to their
center,
typically conducted at elevated temperatures surpassing 300°F. Dry heat
cooking
imparts a distinctive richness to foods through the processes of
caramelization
and surface browning. As heat travels through, it transforms
batters
and doughs into baked goods and more with a firm dry crust and a softer
center.[2]
Baking can be combined with grilling to produce a hybrid barbecue
variant by using both
methods simultaneously, or one after the other. Baking is
related to
barbecuing because the concept of the masonry oven is similar to that
of a smoke pit.
All types of food can be baked, but some require special care and protection from direct heat.
Various techniques have been developed to provide this protection.
In addition to bread, baking is used to prepare cakes, pastries, pies, tarts, quiches, cookies, scones,
crackers, pretzels, and more. These popular items are known collectively as "baked goods," and are
often sold at a bakery, which is a store that carries only baked goods, or at markets, grocery stores,
farmers markets or through other venues.
Eleven events occur concurrently during baking, some of which (such as starch
gelatinization) would not occur at room temperature.[20]