Gasket for ice cream cone
Stuff a marshmallow in the bottom of the cone to prevent drips. Eileen O., Arlington Heights, IL
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Cake mix instead of flour
When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead--no white mess on the outside of the cake. Simone P., Rosebud, MO
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Toasted nuts
When a recipe calls for toasted nuts, incidentally that's 8 to 10 minutes in a 350 degrees F oven, make sure they're thoroughly cooled before adding them to dough. Adding hot nuts to a dough could melt the butter and drastically change the texture of your cookies, probably not for the better. Betty R., Weston, FL
Cool cookies
As a rule, let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 1 or 2 minutes, just long enough to firm them slightly and make it easier to slide them off the sheet and onto a rack. Sandy B., Sneads Ferry, NC
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Brown sugar
Soften brown sugar. Place sugar in oven-proof container and warm in 250°F oven until soft. Or, place in microwave container and heat on high, checking every 30 seconds. HINT: To keep it soft, put a piece of bread in the container before storing. Gwynn N., Waupaca, WI
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