Chef Carol at RainCity Cooking School has time-saving tips for baking.

• To soften cream cheese quickly, unwrap it and place in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Let stand 1 minute before using.
   
• To soften butter quickly, just grate it on the large holes of your grater, and it will soften almost instantly!
   
• Spray the insides of measuring spoons or cups with cooking spray before measuring sticky ingredients like honey, corn syrup or molasses. They'll slip right out.
   
• Making cookies? Double the batch, then divide it in two. Roll half into logs and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Store the rolls in the refrigerator to slice and bake later for fresh cookies anytime!
   
• For holiday pies, double the pastry recipe, divide into portions, then form each into a flattened disk, like a pancake. Wrap and freeze the extra recipes. Next time you need a pie, thaw on the counter about 10 minutes, and you are ready to ROLL into a pastry crust!