If you love baking and cooking, or looking to improve your skills in the kitchen, here are some fantastic tips from Royal Baking Powder to up your prowess, or even help your basics.

Here are some great kitchen hacks from Royal, the tried and tested baking powder since 1863.

Cooking is an art… baking is science! Always read your recipe thoroughly before you start baking. Unlike cooking, one small adjustment could be your undoing

Always fill your cupcake cups with only two thirds of batter. This allows space for your delightful cupcakes to rise perfectly

For mashed potatoes so light and fluffy they float away… simply add a pinch of Royal Baking Powder to the mix! 

Use an ice cream scoop to transfer your batter into the baking pan to ensure equal quantities and cooking time!

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Spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, then sweep off the excess with a knife. Don’t scoop it directly from the bag with a measuring cup because the flour will become compacted, and you’ll get more than you need for the recipe.

Carefully follow mixing instructions such as "cream until light and fluffy", "mix until just combined", and "fold in gently". Under- or overdoing it can affect the result of your baking.

Position the baking pan as close to the centre of the oven as possible.

Pour water into the empty cups of a muffin tin when you're baking fewer than 12 muffins or cupcakes. The water helps the cupcakes bake and rise more evenly.

For chocolate cakes, especially ones that aren't going to be frosted, use cocoa powder instead of flour to dust the greased pan.

Keep a cake moist and make icing it easier by spreading a "crumb coat" – a thin layer of frosting over the cake. Allow it to set for 1 to 2 hours before you finish icing and decorating.

Uniced cakes will keep for up to two months in the freezer.

Always check the expiry dates of raising agents – expired goods could affect the lifting power.