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Mixing is a very important part of the baking process. Whether you’re using a stand mixer or mixing by hand, there are many different ways to mix, but knowing the difference between the whisking method and the beating method can be crucial to your success in the kitchen.
Whisking is intended to incorporate air into wet ingredients while mixing, while beating is intended to thoroughly break down dry ingredients while mixing them. Whisking requires a thin wire whisk or whisk attachment while beating requires a wooden spoon or a paddle attachment.
In this article, I will be discussing the differences between these two ways of mixing so you can be more confident when baking. Below, I dive deeper into this topic and answer some frequently asked questions about whisking and beating.
What’s The Difference between Whisking and Beating?
The major difference between whisking and beating is that whisking requires a wire attachment or whisk. It does not have any beaters, paddles, or spoons attached to it. Beating uses an additional paddle, spoon, or beaters to help break down the ingredients.
Whisking is also fast and vigorous while beating is done with more force and breaks down the ingredients until they are smooth. Beating also incorporates air into the mix quickly.
Beating is also best used for heavier bases such as cake batters and mayonnaise.
Whisking is better for incorporating wet ingredients without breaking them down too much. You will typically use more energy beating than you would whisking.
While I like to do my mixing by hand, I much rather prefer using a Stand Mixer instead. I recently wrote an article that talks about the 3 Best Stand Mixers that bakers can buy in each stage of their baking journey. After reviewing a few stand mixers, the Best Overall Mixer was the KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. You can check out this stand mixer on Amazon!
While the difference between these two methods of baking might seem simple, you first need to understand exactly what each one of them does in baking.
What is Whisking in Baking?
As a general rule, the whisking method is used to mix together ingredients quickly and evenly. Whisking is done to incorporate the wet ingredients into each other while adding some air into them. You can use a wire whisk or a wire attachment top whisk ingredients.
Let’s say you have a chocolate cake recipe and you are adding water, butter, and eggs to the mix. You would whisk those three ingredients together until they were combined.
Whisking is usually used for baking because it mixes quickly without breaking down or damaging any of your ingredients too much. It is fast, vigorous, and adds air into the mix.
You can do this by either using an OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk or by using a KitchenAid K45WW Wire Whisk Attachment for Tilt-Head Stand Mixer depending on whether you have a KitchenAid mixer or not. Either way you choose to whisk, you can check out both of these tools on Amazon!
What is Beating in Baking?
As a general rule, the beating method is used to break down the ingredients when mixing them. Beating requires a wooden spoon or a paddle attachment when mixing. It incorporates air into your ingredients by beating them until they are broken down, fluffier, and more tender.
Beating is quite different than whisking. It can be used for many things including meringues where you want to add air into your egg whites.
Beating can also be used for cake batter and mayonnaise where you want a lighter, fluffier texture.
It is done with enough force that it breaks down the ingredients until they are smooth and soft. It doesn’t take long because beating incorporates air into the mix quickly.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about The Differences Between Whipping and Beating. This article talks about how and when to use the whipping and beating mixing methods. You can check out this article here!
Do You Whisk Or Beat Cake Mix?
Since cake mix requires a heavier base, the beating method is the better option. The beating method will break down the mix and incorporate air into it, making it lighter and fluffier. This will also thoroughly combine all of the ingredients in the cake mixture.
Use an additional paddle, spoon, or beaters to help break down the ingredients until they are smooth.
Most cake mixes require that the ingredients are beaten for at least five minutes to ensure that air is added into the mix and everything is broken down.
While at it, you want to make sure the ingredients are combined thoroughly. After you combine wet and dry ingredients, make sure it is mixed until everything looks evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about All The Different Mixing Methods in Baking. This article talks about the 10 different mixing ways you can use when making your baked goods. You can check out this article here!
How Long Should You Whisk Eggs?
It should take you about a minute to properly whisk your eggs until all the whites are broken down. Start off slow until the eggs are foamy and then increase your speed. This will help them to blend together and incorporate the air which creates a frothy and thicker mixture.
Make sure to stop whisking as soon as they are combined and there are no more white streaks visible in the mixture. If you are whisking for a longer period than that, you may be over-whisking them which can result in them becoming tough.
Over-whisking your eggs can add unnecessary air into them, making the texture of whatever you are baking a little tougher and fluffier.
*By the way, I recently wrote an in-depth article about The Differences Between Whisking and Whipping. This article talks about how and when to use the whisking and whipping methods. You can check out this article here!
Can You Mix Cake Batter By Hand?
As a general rule, you can mix cake batter by hand using a whisk, rubber spatula, or wooden spoon. You can mix cake batter without a mixer by using these tools to whisk, whip, or beat your cake batter by hand. You can use these mixing methods to mix the cake batter by hand.
These 3 methods mixing methods could be accomplished by hand or by using a stand mixer. Each one requires its own type of tool or attachment.
*By the way, you might also want to know How To Mix Batter Without a Mixer. I recently wrote an article talking about The Right Ways of Mixing Batter By Hand, which you can check out here!
Mixing cake batter by hand is tough but not impossible. Although it might take you a little longer than if you were to use a mixer, you can use the same mixing methods and tools to mix it by hand!
If you are making just one cake or, say, a few cupcakes, then you can mix the batter by hand. You will just need a bowl and spoon to do so.
However, if you are mixing a large batch or multiple layers of cake, then it is best to use an electric mixer instead. This will ensure that everything is mixed evenly and there are no lumps in the batter.
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article about The 5 Main Methods of Baking. This article talks about how and when to use each baking method when making your baked goods. You can check out this article here!
FAQs:
How Long Should You Beat Cake Batter?
On average, anywhere between 2-6 minutes should be enough time to properly beat your cake batter. While it depends on what kind of recipe you are using, most recipes require at least 5 minutes to ensure that the ingredients have been broken down and enough air has been incorporated into the mix.
How to Beat With a Whisk?
To beat with a whisk, you want to make sure that your ingredients are combined thoroughly. Make sure you use a wire whisk, bowl, and spoon so there is enough space in between each of the ingredients to allow air into them without over-beating everything together.
*By the way, I wouldn’t be able to fix my runny buttercream frosting if I didn’t have the right type of mixer. For this situation, I used a 5-Speed Electric Hand Mixer which can get the job done! You can check out the Hand Mixer I use on Amazon!
Final Thoughts
Whisking and beating are both great methods for incorporating air into your ingredients and breaking them down. Knowing when to use each one is key in achieving the perfect result for your recipe.
Whisking is better for wet ingredients while beating is ideal for heavier bases like cake mix or mayonnaise. As long as you are familiar with the recipe you’re using, there is a good chance you will get the perfect results. I hope this article has helped teach you the difference between whisking and beating.
Feel free to share it with your friends and family who may also be curious about the difference!
