To bake (food, especially baked goods) for too long or at too high a temperature, resulting in a dry, burnt, or otherwise undesirable texture and flavor. This process often leads to a loss of moisture and a change in the intended characteristics of the finished product. Overbaking can ruin the intended outcome, making the dish unpalatable or aesthetically displeasing, and potentially causing it to be discarded. It's a common mistake that home cooks and professional chefs alike must avoid for optimal results. Attention to cooking times and oven temperatures is crucial.
Overbake meaning with examples
- The cookies looked perfect going into the oven, but a momentary distraction caused me to overbake them. They came out rock-hard and bitter, a stark contrast to the chewy goodness I had aimed for. Now I have to start again, making sure to set a timer this time to get a good batch.
- She was aiming for a moist chocolate cake, but forgetting about it while watching a movie led to disaster. The overbake caused the cake to become dense and crumbly, not the fluffy dessert she envisioned. She should've checked the cooking time, but the temptation of the TV was too great.
- My attempt at baking a sourdough bread ended in an overbake. Instead of a delightful crust and soft inside, I got a loaf so hard I couldn't cut it. I had misjudged the oven's heat. Next time, I will invest in a cooking thermometer, to make the outcome more predictable.
- The caterer served an overbaked salmon, and the guests were very unhappy. The fish was tough and dry; it tasted like cardboard. Someone obviously did not follow directions. Proper temperature is key when baking foods like salmon; that person was likely just trying to rush the process.