I make my own sourdough bread to save money on groceries. Here are 5 things I wish I'd known before I started.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
A sliced loaf of sourdough bread on a cutting board, with a knife next to it.
There are a few things I wish I'd known before making sourdough at home.

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6 easy ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix, from a former pastry cook

Tech Insider : Business
Pan with brownies in it, spatula scooping one out
Although I think boxed brownie mixes are pretty close to perfect, there are a few simple ways I'd upgrade them.

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How to make the best holiday cookies, according to chefs

Tech Insider : Business
Brown Christmas cookies with star-shaped white sprinkles and red ornaments in the background
There are certain tricks to making the perfect holiday cookies.

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8 of the best ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix, from a professional baker

Tech Insider : Business
Brownies topped with powdered sugar and rainbow sprinkles on white background
As a professional baker, I've learned a lot of easy ways to upgrade a box of brownie mix.

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8 ways to make cookies from a store-bought dough or mix taste homemade and look gourmet

Tech Insider : Business
Sugar cookies with rainbow sprinkles on plate
With the right tricks, cookies you make from a mix can taste homemade.

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10 holiday desserts that need 5 ingredients or fewer

Tech Insider : Business
Peppermint Bark
Desserts like peppermint bark are ideal for holiday entertaining and require only a few ingredients to make.

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I tried 3 different store-bought pie crusts. One had the best flavor but another looked nicest and was easiest to use.

Tech Insider : Business
Pie made with Pillsbury crust, Giant Eagle crust, and Marie Callender's crust on counter
I made pies using dough from Pillsbury, Giant Eagle, and Marie Callender's to find the best store-bought pie crust.

Paige Bennett

14 simple tricks for becoming a better home cook, according to professional chefs and bakers

Tech Insider
t-bone steak cooking in a cast iron skillet
Plenty of home cooks are looking for tips ahead of the holiday season.

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I'm a professional baker. I made 5 brands of boxed brownie mix to see which is the best.

Tech Insider
Five brownie squares sitting next to labels with different brownie-mix brands on them arranged on white plastic cutting board
I used my expertise as a professional baker to rank brownie mixes from five different brands.

Alana Al-Hatlani

I made 7 of Ina Garten's most popular desserts, and the best one was the easiest to make

Tech Insider
A mocha icebox cake with a slice taken out of it.
I've made many of Ina Garten's dessert recipes, including her incredible mocha icebox cake.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

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