Baking is a delightful art that brings joy to both the baker and those lucky enough to savor the delicious creations that come out of the oven. To achieve professional-level results and make the baking process more enjoyable, it's essential to have the right tools at your disposal. In this blog post, we'll explore the top 20 baking tools that every home baker should consider adding to their kitchen arsenal. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned baker, these tools will help you elevate your skills and create mouthwatering treats.
A stand mixer is a powerful and versatile tool that takes the hard work out of mixing dough and batters. Its sturdy construction and various attachments make it suitable for a wide range of baking tasks. The paddle attachment is perfect for creaming butter and sugar, while the whisk attachment is great for incorporating air into meringues or whipped cream. The dough hook is a lifesaver when it comes to kneading bread or pizza dough. Look for a stand mixer with variable speed settings and a large-capacity bowl to handle different recipes and batch sizes.
Investing in high-quality baking pans is essential for even heat distribution and consistent results. Opt for pans made of heavy-gauge metal that won't warp or buckle in the oven. Depending on what you're baking, you'll need different baking pans round cake pans are versatile and can be used for layer cakes, cheesecakes, and more. Square and rectangular pans are great for bars, brownies, and casseroles.
Wilton, Nordic Ware, and Fat Daddio are my favorite pans. With any baking pan from these brands, you can't go wrong. I advise having at least three square and round cake pans. Check the cake recipe to see if it calls for an 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan, and if so, adjust the baking time accordingly.
The sizes I use most often in my kitchen are:
8 & 9-inch round cake pans, 8 & 9-inch square pans, 12-count muffin/cupcake pans, 9/10-inch glass pie dish, 9×13-inch baking pan, 9×5-inch loaf pan
3. Silicone Baking Mats: here
Silicone baking mats are a game-changer in the baking world. They provide a non-stick surface that eliminates the need for parchment paper or greasing. These reusable mats are durable, heat-resistant, and distribute heat evenly, ensuring evenly baked goods every time. They're particularly useful for cookies, pastries, and sticky doughs that tend to stick to traditional baking sheets.
A cooling rack is an essential tool for allowing air to circulate around your baked goods, preventing them from becoming soggy. Look for a rack with sturdy construction that can accommodate various sizes of cakes, cookies, and bread. Elevated legs help promote airflow and prevent condensation, ensuring your creations cool properly and maintain their texture.
5. Measuring Tools: Dry measuring cups here, measuring spoons here, liquid measuring cup here, kitchen scale here and here
Accurate measurements are crucial in baking, as slight variations can affect the final outcome. A set of measuring cups and spoons made of sturdy materials like stainless steel is essential. Also, be sure to have at least one liquid measuring cup as well. I have three sizes I prefer the Pyrex glass version Because it is heat-proof. A kitchen scale is also invaluable for weighing ingredients by weight, especially for recipes that require precision, such as macarons or delicate pastries.
6. Rolling Pin: wooden pin here, silicone pin here
A rolling pin is a versatile tool used to roll out dough to the desired thickness. Opt for a solid, wooden rolling pin that feels comfortable in your hands or a silicone rolling pin. Its weight and length allow for even pressure distribution, resulting in the uniformly rolled dough. Whether you're making pie crusts, cookies, or laminated pastries, a rolling pin is a must-have tool.
A pastry brush is essential for various baking tasks, such as glazing pastries, brushing egg washes on bread, or applying melted butter to croissants. Look for a brush with heat-resistant bristles that won't melt or shed. Silicone brushes are easy to clean and can withstand high temperatures without absorbing flavors or odors.
An offset spatula is a versatile tool for spreading frosting on cakes, smoothing batter in pans, or lifting delicate cookies. The offset angle and long handle provide better control and precision. Choose a high-quality stainless steel spatula that is flexible yet sturdy for easy manipulation and durability.
A wire whisk is an indispensable tool for blending, whisking, and incorporating air into batters and mixtures. Look for one with sturdy wires that won't bend or break easily. A comfortable handle ensures a firm grip, making it easier to achieve smooth and fluffy results in recipes like cakes, mousses, and custards.
A bench scraper, also known as a pastry scraper, is a versatile tool that assists with numerous baking tasks. It helps divide the dough into portions, scrape excess flour or dough from work surfaces, and clean up your workspace efficiently. Choose a scraper with a comfortable handle and a sharp edge for effective scraping and cutting.
11. Pastry Cutter: here
A pastry cutter, also called a pastry blender, is a must-have tool for creating flaky pie crusts, biscuits, or scones. It allows you to cut cold butter or shortening into flour, resulting in a crumbly texture that yields tender baked goods.
Cookie scoops are a baker's best friend when it comes to portioning cookie dough uniformly. They ensure consistent sizes and shapes, resulting in evenly baked cookies. Scoops with a release mechanism make it easy to drop dough onto baking sheets without sticking.
A pastry bag, along with a variety of decorating tips, allows you to unleash your creativity and add beautiful designs and decorations to your baked goods. From intricate piping work to creating borders and rosettes, a pastry bag and tips provide endless possibilities for elevating the presentation of cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.
I use my rubber spatulas for everything - stirring, mixing, scraping, folding etcetera. Rubber spatulas can withstand very high temperatures, mix virtually everything fabulously, and magically scrape every last drop of batter from your bowl. So, with features like minimal waste + maximal functionality, a rubber spatula is probably my favorite kitchen tool.
A dough scraper, also called a bench knife, is a handy tool for working with sticky dough and cleaning surfaces. It helps lift and divide the dough, making it easier to handle during shaping and baking. Additionally, a dough scraper is useful for cleaning up flour or dough remnants from countertops and cutting boards.
A flour sifter is essential for aerating flour and other dry ingredients, removing lumps, and ensuring a smooth mixture. It's particularly helpful when sifting cocoa powder, powdered sugar, or baking soda to prevent clumps and achieve consistent results.
17. Kitchen Thermometer: here
A kitchen thermometer for baking is a valuable tool specifically designed to measure the temperature of ingredients and baked goods during the baking process. It allows bakers to achieve precise temperature control, resulting in perfectly baked treats. Whether you're checking the internal temperature of bread, cakes, or pastries, a baking thermometer ensures they are cooked evenly and to the desired doneness. It helps prevent over or under-baking, ensuring that your creations are moist, fluffy, and have the ideal texture. With a baking thermometer, you can confidently create delicious baked goods with consistent results, taking your baking skills to the next level.
18. Oven Thermometer: here
Oven temperatures can often be inconsistent, affecting the outcome of your baked goods. An oven thermometer helps you ensure accurate temperatures, allowing you to adjust accordingly for optimal results. Place the thermometer inside the oven to monitor the actual temperature, ensuring your creations bake at the intended heat level.
If you're gonna decorate like a pro you'll also need a turn table. It's a necessity for icing a cake smooth. Believe me, it's frustrating trying to do it straight on your counter. There are lots of turntables out there that will work but getting one that turns smoothly, doesn't slide around on you, and locks in place when needed will definitely make a difference. The Innovative Sugarworks one does all three and looks fabulous doing it. It's like the Porsche of turn tables. I personally have several turntables so that I can have several tiers going at once. If you're looking for a less expensive option to start off or as an additional table, the Ateco Cast Iron turntable will do a great job too.
20 Baking Cookbook: Mary Berry's Baking Bible here, How to Cake It here, Layer Up!: The Ultimate Glow Up Guide for Cakes here and coming soon Bake It Till You Make It Cookbook!!! by Sarah Epps of Sarah Epps Cakery
While not a physical tool, a baking cookbook is a valuable resource for expanding your baking skills and trying out new recipes. Look for cookbooks authored by renowned bakers or focused on specific baking specialties like bread, cakes, or pastries. They provide guidance, techniques, and a wealth of recipes to inspire your baking adventures and help you develop your baking expertise.