Baking is a cooking method that uses prolonged dry heat, normally in an oven, to cook food. In ancient Rome, baking flourished widely and pastry cooking became a respected profession by 300 BC. Successful pastry chefs who invented new treats for banquets were highly valued. By 1 AD, there were over 300 pastry chefs alone in Rome.

1. BAKING
- IS A FOOD
COOKING METHOD USING
P R O L O N G E D D RY H E AT
ACTING BY CONVECTION,
AND NOT BY THERMAL
R A D I AT I O N , N O R M A L LY I N
AN OVEN, BUT ALSO IN
HOT ASHES, OR ON HOT
S TO N E S .

2. HISTORY OF BAKING
In the Roman Empire, baking flourished widely.
In about 300 B.C., the pastry cook became an
occupation for Romans (known as the pastillarium).
This became a very highly respected profession
because pastries were considered decadent, and
Romans loved festivity and celebration. Thus,
pastries were often cooked especially for large
banquets, and any pastry cook who could invent new
types of tasty treats, unseen at any other banquet,
was highly prized. Around 1 A.D., there were more
than three hundred pastry chefs in Rome alone, and
Cato wrote about how they created all sorts of
diverse foods, and flourished because of those
foods.

3. SAMPLES OF COOKIES

7. TIPS TO MAKE YOUR COOKIE PERFECT
1. Read your cookie recipe
carefully before starting:
Be sure you have all the
ingredients called for and that
you understand the recipe
clearly.

8. 2. Use good tools and
utensils:
Assemble all the bowls, pans,
and utensils you will need on
your counter or worktable
before starting. Use standard
measuring cups and spoons.

9. 3. Use correct pan sizes:
Use the type of pan
specified in the recipe.
Recipes are carefully
calculated as to yield and
changing the pan size also
alters the baking
temperature and time.

10. 4. Use top-quality ingredient and
assemble the ingredients before
starting:
You can't expect a first-rate product
using second-rate ingredients. Be sure
your ingredients are fresh and of the
finest quality. If your recipe says the
ingredient must be room temperature,
they are at room temperature before
proceeding.

11. Enjoy Baking!