I attended pastry school in France. These are the 7 most common mistakes I see home bakers make — and how to fix them.

After attending pastry school, I've noticed several mistakes that at-home bakers frequently make. Allison Chen After attending pastry school in France, I've learned the secrets to creating the perfect desserts. I often see home bakers make the same mistakes, like using expired leaveners or crowding the oven. Other common mistakes include overmixing the batter and opening the oven too frequently. I'm a full-time baker who has attended pastry school in France, completed a baking course in China, and worked in several bakeries in New York City . After working in the industry for many years and making dozens of cakes, croissants, and cookies, I've learned the secrets for success when making a dessert — even if it's not in the luxury of a professional kitchen. Here are the seven most common mistakes I see from home bakers, and how to fix them.