Jam tartlets and blisters: The joy of baking mishaps
I love baking but seldom get to do so due to a busy schedule. When I do get the chance, I do it properly...and there are usually a few mishaps.
Holidays are a great excuse to bake. At least, that’s how it works with me. Since things get lost in the universe if I don’t write them in my diary, I had to pencil in my baking time.
It’s my brother’s birthday on Saturday and I’m hitting the road on Friday to join the family for the weekend celebrations. As I can never find out what gifts to buy them, I resort to presenting them with tins of baked goodness.
On Monday afternoon I made sure I had enough ingredients, took out the necessary utensils, placed my laptop on the counter (out of the splash range) and started the baking process to the sounds of an American sitcom.
I had decided on my own ‘random’ recipe for jam tartlets and a family favourite recipe for custard cookies. I love gathering ingredients as I usually find stuff I’ve forgotten about, like a little jar of honey or tin of spices. Does the same happen to you?
As delicious smells drifted from the oven I took out the jam tartlets and carefully let them cool. The trouble, however, started when I switched the second pan out with the first batch of cookies.
Hurrying to scoop the tartlets from the pan before the melted jam set, I lifted a tartlet only to find my fingers covered in molten jam. Anyone who has ever touched a hot object, will tell you that it takes a moment to realise you’ve just been stupid and that you’ll be nursing a huge blister soon.
I dropped the tartlet safely in the tin just to pick up another one with my other hand and be hit with the same pain. Genius move, I tell you.
With the cookies safely in the oven and the tartlets cooling in the pan, I held my hands under running water, suppressing curses.
And watching as a large blister formed on my index finger.
To treat those stupidity blisters, here are a few tips I came across:
- Run cool water over the burnt area until the pain lessens
- Don’t break the blisters as this can cause infections
- Gently was with soap and water
- Gently pat it dry and cover loosely with a clean bandage if needed
- Apply aloe to the burn (DON’T rub butter, oil or honey on the wound!)
Comment with your baking mishaps or send us pictures of your masterpieces (mine taste nice but mostly lack the ‘pretty’ factor) via the White River Post facebook page.
