Tis’ the Season for Safe Baking

I’m Linda Petterson, a Certified Food Safety Instructor/Proctor with ServSafe of the National Restaurant Association and with Always Food Safe. The holiday baking season comes this time each year. Here are just a few tips to keep you and your family safe while baking those treats we all love to eat during the holidays.

1. Propper Storage: Always store raw ingredients like flour, baking mixes, dough, and eggs separately from ready-to-eat foods.

2. Keep A Clean Workshop: Before beginning your holiday baking, tie back long hair, clean the counter, wash your hands, and assemble the ingredients and equipment you will need.

3. Keep Separate: Measuring, mixing, and handling of unbaked batter or dough should be kept separate from the cooling, serving, and packaging of finished baked goods.

4. Internal Temperature: Baked goods should be checked with a wooden toothpick or cake tester and a food thermometer at the center to ensure doneness. Cheesecakes should reach an internal temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Quiche, meringue pie, bread pudding, baked custard, clafouti, and molten chocolate cakes should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Stuffing and casserole leftovers, chocolate cream pie, and meat, cheese, or poultry-filled breads should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Custard and fruit pies, flan, and crème brulée should reach an internal temperature of 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit. Yeast breads should reach an internal temperature of 190-210 degrees Fahrenheit. Most cakes, cupcakes, quick breads, scones, biscuits, and pecan pie should reach an internal temperature of 200-209 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Baker’s Bottom Line: NEVER eat raw batter or dough. Flour, as well as eggs, must be thoroughly cooked or baked before eating to prevent illness from bacteria.

6. Share the Joy: Everyone loves Christmas cookies! Be sure to safely bake plenty to be shared with your family, friends, and food safety instructor.

Hope you enjoyed these tips and Have a Merry Christmas!