Fold

A technique used to gently combine a light, airy ingredient (such as beaten egg whites) with a heavier one (such as whipped cream or cake mix).

The lighter mixture is poured on top of the heavier one in a large bowl. Starting at the back of the bowl, a wooden spoon is used to cut down vertically through the two mixtures, across the bottom of the bowl and up the nearest side. The bowl should be rotated slightly with each series of strokes. This down-across-up-and-over motion gently combines the ingredients them in the process to create a light, fluffy consistency.