What does it mean to Add flour mixture alternately with milk?

"Add flour mixture alternately with milk" is a common instruction in baking recipes. It essentially means you're combining the dry and wet ingredients in a specific way to ensure a smooth, evenly mixed batter or dough.

Here's how it works:

1. Prepare your dry ingredients: This usually involves combining flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and any other dry ingredients in a separate bowl.

2. Prepare your wet ingredients: This typically involves combining milk, eggs, oil, and any other wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

3. Alternating the dry and wet: You'll start by adding a portion of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, then follow it up with a portion of the wet ingredients. You'll repeat this process, alternating between dry and wet, until all the ingredients are incorporated.

Why alternate?

* Preventing lumps: Alternating helps to prevent the dry ingredients from clumping together, resulting in a smoother batter or dough.

* Ensuring even mixing: This method helps ensure that the dry and wet ingredients are properly distributed throughout the batter, leading to a more consistent texture.

* Developing gluten: In some recipes, the alternating method helps to develop gluten more evenly, creating a stronger dough structure.

Tips:

* Start and end with dry ingredients: You usually start and end the process with a portion of the dry ingredients. This helps ensure that the last bit of the batter is well-mixed.

* Use a whisk or spoon: Stir gently but thoroughly after each addition to ensure that everything is evenly combined.

* Don't overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough batter or dough.

Following these instructions will help you achieve a delicious and successful baked good!