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Mary Berry's best-ever cooking tips

Berry good advice
45. Turn tarts around during baking
44. Blanch tomatoes to peel
43. Make mini beef Wellingtons
42. Keep fish moist
41. Freeze cakes correctly
40. Cool biscuits down before storing them
39. Wear rubber gloves when handling beetroot
38. Always choose all-butter puff pastry
37. Never rush meringues
36. Weigh ingredients carefully
35. Roll lemons before juicing
34. Get easy, swirly, two-toned icing
33. Prevent fruit and cherries from sinking
32. Brown meat in advance
31. Make ahead for dinner parties
30. Lose the wire marks on your Victoria sponge
29. Take your time with Hollandaise
28. Keep herbs fresh (and grow your own)
27. Whisk milk in slowly when making batter
26. Use a fork to make patterns
25. Make the most of cauliflower
24. Use the right kind of sugar
23. Choose the correct baking tins
22. Use a food bag for last-minute piping
21. Roll out pastry, then chill and rest it
20. Make slits in meat for a better marinade
19. Don’t fear full fat
18. Take notes
17. Use multiple methods to check if a cake is done
16. Bake on the middle shelf to avoid cracks
15. Soften butter quickly
14. Roast chicken upside down
13. Never over-beat batter
12. Cook quickly with thin slices and wide pans
11. Prevent crumbs from messing up icing
10. Make pasta your go-to speedy meal
9. Turn a classic on its head
8. Adjust recipes to the season
7. Blind bake to avoid a soggy bottom
6. Don't be afraid to improvise
5. Embrace gadgets
4. Try something new
3. It’s fine to cheat
2. Bulk up dishes with simple ingredients
1. Keep a well-stocked store cupboard
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maryberrythecook/Facebook ; Laura Edwards/BBC Books

Berry good advice

The grande dame of cakes, bakes and delicious home-cooked meals, Mary Berry certainly knows her way around a kitchen. We've rounded up some of her best-ever cooking and baking tips, from time-saving hacks to easy tricks that will boost the flavour and presentation of your food. Let Mary Berry show you the way, whether you're new to cooking or striving to be an expert.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover Mary Berry's best-ever cooking and baking advice – counting down to her most genius tip of all.

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Laura Ellis

13 February 2025

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