There is something about the sweet smell of baking that makes a house feel like a home. However, anyone who has attempted to bake will know how easy it for that sweet smell to turn into a burnt mess. This week we are taking a look at the simple steps you can take in order to avoid mistakes while you are baking.

Firstly, you have to realise that when it comes to baking there is no going back once that cake tray goes into the oven. By this we mean it’s not like cooking where you can adjust and tweak the recipe as you go along. You need to know your measurements and you need to be precise with them. The way you do this is by sticking to your recipe at all costs. No deviations, no cutting corners and definitely no substituting salted butter for unsalted butter.

From sifting to oven temperatures, read on to discover more useful tips which will save you from ending up with a baking disaster on your hands.

In other news this week, turn to our Cinema pages to read about Golden Globe Best Actor winner Gary Oldman’s experience of playing Winston Churchill. Apparently Oldman was not keen on playing the role of Churchill as he felt that too many great British actors had already played him. Known for doing extensive research before accepting any role, Oldman felt there was simply too much to learn when it came to Churchill. However, he changed his mind and now he is surely in the running for an Academy Award nomination.