The verb "to bake" means to cook food, typically sweet or savory items such as cakes, pies, breads and pastries in an oven at a low temperature for an extended period of time. The heat causes the ingredients to expand and set, resulting in a finished product that is firm and often browned on top. Baking can also refer to the process of using dry heat to transform a food item into something new or different, such as roasting coffee beans or drying herbs.