Generally, baking is a method of cooking that uses dry heat in an enclosed oven. This heat can affect the chemical composition of the ingredients and the texture of the finished product. Typically, it is used to prepare bread, cookies, cakes, pies, tarts, and other pastries.
Baking has been a part of human history for thousands of years. It involves the use of ingredients that change with heat, such as sugar, flour, eggs, and milk. Some foods, such as meat, require protection from direct heat.
The first ovens were made by the ancient Egyptians. These ovens were shaped like a beehive. This type of oven was heated by a fire inside. As the heat built up, it was stored in the walls of the beehive. These ovens were used to bake spheroidal loaves, which weighed about a pound.
In ancient times, the Egyptians were the first to use yeast in bread making. The process of baking began to spread across Europe and Asia. Bread became a cultural symbol in many religions. It is subject to many nursery rhymes and has been the subject of religious texts for thousands of years.
Baked items are usually sold at bakeries or markets. Several types of food, such as meat, fish, and dairy products, are often baked in a covered baking dish. Other foods, such as vegies, are baked in an oven.
The most common type of baking is oven baking. Unlike roasting, baking requires constant, dry heat. This method of cooking helps the food maintain a moist texture. Generally, baking uses temperatures between 300 and 500 deg F.