BAKING TEMPERATURE: What is the optimal baking temperature?

There is no single optimal baking temperature. The general rule is that the higher the temperature, the more the crust forms, which is not ideal for items like rolls or small breads. Technically, the product is considered baked when the internal temperature of the dough reaches 95°C, and you can verify this with a probe thermometer.

Typically, baking temperatures range from 180°C to 220-230°C, but certain items, such as pizza, may require temperatures as high as 250°C. 

For home electric ovens, a common technique is to bake at the highest temperature (250°C–220°C, depending on the oven settings), and after 5–10 minutes, lower the temperature by at least 20°C, gradually reducing it further until the product is fully baked.

Note: For items like meringues, the temperature is much lower (70-80°C) because the product needs to dry out, not cook.