Baking Terms Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Do you know your baking vocabulary? From 'proof' to 'fold,' test your knowledge!

1.
In baking, what does 'proofing' refer to?
A
Sifting flour
B
Testing the oven temperature
C
Checking if a cake is done
D
Allowing yeast dough to rise
2.
What does it mean to 'cream' butter and sugar together?
A
Add cream to the mixture
B
Freeze them together
C
Melt them in a pan
D
Beat them until light and fluffy
3.
What is a 'bain-marie' (water bath) used for in baking?
A
Sterilizing jars
B
Cooling baked goods quickly
C
Washing baking tools
D
Gentle, even heating to prevent cracking or curdling
4.
What does 'folding' mean in a baking recipe?
A
Rolling dough into layers
B
Gently combining a light mixture into a heavier one without deflating
C
Cutting dough in half repeatedly
D
Wrapping pastry around a filling
5.
What is 'blind baking'?
A
Pre-baking a pie crust without the filling
B
Baking in a dark oven
C
Guessing oven temperature
D
Baking without a recipe
6.
What does 'docking' dough mean?
A
Letting it rest on a counter
B
Poking holes in it to prevent puffing during baking
C
Joining two pieces of dough together
D
Shaping it into a log
7.
What is the purpose of 'tempering' eggs in baking?
A
Beating them until stiff peaks form
B
Separating the yolks from the whites
C
Hardening them by boiling
D
Gradually warming them to prevent scrambling when added to a hot mixture
8.
In baking, what does 'leavening' do?
A
Causes dough or batter to rise
B
Adds sweetness
C
Adds color to the dough
D
Thickens the mixture
9.
What does the term 'crumb' refer to when describing a baked item?
A
The internal texture and structure of the bread or cake
B
The amount of sugar used
C
The leftover pieces on the plate
D
The crust on the outside
10.
What is a 'couche' used for in bread baking?
A
A bread scoring tool
B
A linen cloth that supports dough while it proofs
C
A decorative glaze
D
A type of oven
11.
What does 'scoring' bread dough before baking accomplish?
A
Prevents the bread from rising
B
Adds flavor to the crust
C
Controls where the bread expands and allows steam to escape
D
Decorates the crust only
12.
What is an 'autolyse' in bread making?
A
A machine that kneads dough
B
A type of sourdough starter
C
A method of adding yeast
D
A rest period after mixing flour and water, before adding other ingredients
13.
What does it mean when a recipe says to bake until a toothpick comes out 'clean'?
A
It smells done
B
The outside is golden
C
No wet batter clings to a toothpick inserted in the center
D
The edges have pulled away from the pan
14.
What is a 'roux' in the context of baking and cooking?
A
A type of pastry cream
B
A type of yeast
C
A mixture of fat and flour used to thicken sauces
D
A sweet glaze for pastries
15.
What does 'laminating' dough mean, as done when making croissants?
A
Adding a plastic wrap cover
B
Rolling it very thin
C
Coating it with egg wash
D
Repeatedly folding butter into dough to create thin, flaky layers

Answer Key

Question 1

D. Allowing yeast dough to rise

Question 2

D. Beat them until light and fluffy

Question 3

D. Gentle, even heating to prevent cracking or curdling

Question 4

B. Gently combining a light mixture into a heavier one without deflating

Question 5

A. Pre-baking a pie crust without the filling

Question 6

B. Poking holes in it to prevent puffing during baking

Question 7

D. Gradually warming them to prevent scrambling when added to a hot mixture

Question 8

A. Causes dough or batter to rise

Question 9

A. The internal texture and structure of the bread or cake

Question 10

B. A linen cloth that supports dough while it proofs

Question 11

C. Controls where the bread expands and allows steam to escape

Question 12

D. A rest period after mixing flour and water, before adding other ingredients

Question 13

C. No wet batter clings to a toothpick inserted in the center

Question 14

C. A mixture of fat and flour used to thicken sauces

Question 15

D. Repeatedly folding butter into dough to create thin, flaky layers

Find more free puzzles and brain games at www.SeniorBrainGames.org