• Have the eggs and butter at room temperature 
• Preheat the oven so when the cake goes in it’s hot enough and doesn't affect the way the cake rises
• Measure ingredients carefully- remember baking is a science
• Add air and volume to the cake by creaming together sugar and butter until the mixture lightens in color 
• Sift flour and other ingredients like baking powder or soda together to mix, add air and make them easier to fold in
• Mix lightly or whisk gently when folding in ingredients in so you don’t wind up with a heavy cake
• Pour cake batter into a prepared pan immediately upon thorough mixing, and place right into the preheated oven since the rising agent will begin to react upon contact with the wet ingredients 
• Check the cake shortly before the end of the cooking time
• Cake is done when a cake tester, skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
• Follow recipe instructions for cooling

Perfect for gift giving, quick breads are like the name implies ... quick! There’s no yeast needed, no long rising times, and little to no kneading, thanks to leavening agents like baking soda or baking powder. Making a quick bread involves just a couple steps and a couple bowls. The secret to making light and tender quick breads is thoroughly mixing the dry ingredients in one bowl, the wet ingredients in a second bowl, and then combining them, mixing just only until the dry ingredients are moistened.The batter should have some small lumps. Avoid over mixing or you’ll wind up with dry, tough bread. Other tips include: 

• Gently stir in nuts, dried fruit or chocolate chips if adding near the end of mixing
• Grease and flour loaf pans, and fill about ½ full
• Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
• Check the bread 15 minutes before the baking time is completed, and cover bread with foil if browning too quickly
• Cool in loaf pan 5-10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to complete cooling

Banana bread and cornbread are the most popular quick breads, and while often sweet, quick breads can also be savory like beer bread. There are so many delicious flavor possibilities that you can create with the addition of spices, herbs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, cheeses and more!