Must-Have Baking Tools for the Beginner Baker
Do you love to bake? How can you not, right? It’s relaxing and therapeutic, plus you get a delicious end result!
If you’re committed to taking your baking skills to the next level, you’re going to need a few tools, however. Below is a list of baking tools and supplies that will help you get there, so let’s get started!
Must-have Baking Tools:
1). Stand Mixer
Yes, every baker dreams of getting the KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Why? Because it makes the baking process so much easier! Complex recipes become simpler to manage, and the stand mixer allows you to multitask, too. This means you won’t need to expend as much energy on holding a hand mixer while you turn ingredients into whipped cream!
2). Hand Mixer
If you can’t purchase a stand mixer right now, you should definitely get a hand mixer, like this KitchenAid Hand Mixer . This baking tool will make it easier on you when you’re mixing ingredients together and it’ll get the job done faster than if you were using a whisk. Kitchenaid makes this pretty one below, in various colors.
3). Glass bowls
You’re definitely going to need mixing bowls of various sizes. I like glass mixing bowls because you can see your ingredients through them, and they don’t retain odors like plastic mixing bowls do. Kangaroo’s 10 Piece Glass Bowl Set below is nice because it comes in 10 different sizes to accommodate all of your mixing needs.
Accurate measuring spoons are an absolute must. This Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons set by Simply Gourmet is top rated on Amazon, and for good reason: they work, and they look good! I love Copper Measuring Spoons too, because they’re pretty, and they go with the farmhouse style kitchen that so many people have these days.
5). Measuring Cups
You’ll need two sets of measuring cups: one for measuring dry ingredients, and one for measuring wet ingredients. I like the measuring cups above for my dry ingredients, and the Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set for measuring liquids because they’re a standard set from a trusted company, and they’re top rated on Amazon.
6). Spatula
Spatulas are incredible. They’re helpful for so many things, like spreading frosting on cakes, scraping mix out of bowls, and helping to mix ingredients. This Silicone Spatula Set in purple is not only utilitarian and attractive but heat-resistant and dishwasher safe, too!
7). Cookie Scoops
If you want cookies to be the same size, you need a good cookie scoop. Why? Making cookies the same size helps ensure that they bake evenly and that they spend the same amount of time in the oven. Plus, it’ll make your cookies like more uniform, which makes for better presentation! This Medium Cookie Scoop from OXO has soft-grip handles and can be used for desserts, meatballs, and fruit.
8). Sifter
You may not think you need a sifter, but you do. Why? Sifters help to evenly combine all of your dry ingredients. Plus, it can make flour much lighter, which is good for different dessert recipes especially cakes. Try the Bellemain Stainless Steel Flour Sifter, which is a #1 bestseller on Amazon.
9). Baking Sheets
It’s always good to have a few baking sheets in your kitchen since you can use them to make so many things like pizza, cookies, pastries, and other treats. Try the AmazonBasics 3-Piece Baking Sheet Set, or the Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet, which is known for even heating, easy cleanup, and a lifetime of durability.
10). Bakeware Sets
I love bakeware sets because they usually contain everything you need to bake your favorite desserts, including a muffin pan, baking sheets, a loaf pan, and cake pans. The top-rated Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware Set, 6-Pieces, heats evenly in the oven without hot spots, and the nonstick interior releases food easily, which makes for easier cleanup. This set would definitely make a great Christmas gift or a gift to put on your wedding registry list.
11). Pastry Blender
Working with dough is so much easier when you have a pastry blender. For those times that you need to work butter or fat into flour, such as with pies and pastries, a pastry blender is a tool you’ll reach for. The good thing is that they’re inexpensive; I like the Spring Chef Dough Blender because it has a rubber handle which makes it easier on your hand, and it’s a bestseller on Amazon.
12). Rolling Pin
A rolling pin is such an amazing tool to have in your kitchen. If you ever plan on making pie crust, pizza dough, bread from scratch, sugar cookies, or other pastries, then owning a rolling pin is going to make your life a lot easier. I have two rolling pins, one for the Holiday season like The Pioneer Woman Timeless Floral Ceramic Rolling Pin that I like to use around Thanksgiving because it looks festive, and one like this Marble Rolling Pin below because it matches my kitchen counters.
13). Silicone Baking Mat
I recently started using this Silicone Baking Mat Sheet Set and I can’t believe I waited so long. Well, the hype is true, it does a beautiful job of baking things like cookies, pastries, and pizza. Plus, it’s really easy to clean, helps avoid burning, and prevents spills in your oven.
14). Pastry Brushes
Pastry brushes are great for adding a glaze onto your food and desserts; you can use it for adding syrup or jellies to cakes, or sauces to your main dishes. For this, I like this bestselling OXO Silicone Basting & Pastry Brush.
15). Zester
You’ll need a zester for all those recipes that call for lemon or orange zest! It’s really helpful for adding those tart flavors to your delicious desserts like this Vegan Arroz con Lechee recipe. This Microplane Premium Zester/Grater in Turquoise has an impressive 996 five-star reviews on Amazon, and also comes in other pretty colors.
16). Whisk
You won’t always need to break out the electric mixer. Sometimes, all you need is a small hand-held whisk to quickly mix and blend together your ingredients. For these times, you’ll be glad you have a handy whisk like the OXO Good Grips Balloon Whisk. I have a lot of OXO tools in my kitchen because I trust the quality, and their whisk is no exception.
17). Scale
Recipes will sometimes ask you to weigh ingredients; this is when you’ll need a reliable scale. Get a small one that one that won’t take up much room in your kitchen, like this Digital Kitchen Scale that’s top-rated and inexpensive on Amazon.
18). Icing Spatula
You’ll need an icing spatula if you plan to decorate your cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. It’s a tool that’ll smooth icing along your desserts, or smooth your batter after you’ve poured it into the pan. This Icing Spatula Set includes with 3 different sizes so you’ll have a spatula for your large cakes, and small cupcakes.
19). Cookie Spatula
I included a cookie spatula on this list because it’s so useful for those times when you need to carefully lift cookies or tarts off the baking sheet. A cookie spatula should be wide and sturdy, but thin, like this one from Cookie Spatula from OXO .
20). Cooling Racks
Use a cooling rack to place your cookies, pies, and other baked goods once you’ve taken them out of the oven. The racks provide air circulation and help to keep cookies from continuing to cook. These Cooling Racks are inexpensive and highly rated on Amazon.
That concludes my list of must-have baking tools to have in your kitchen! I hope it inspires you to take your baking to the next level. The holidays will be here before you know it, so start working on this skills!
Remember, just take it one dessert at a time, and you’ll soon get more comfortable with baking sweet treats for your friends and family. Happy baking!
Great list for an aspiring baker like myself. I keep meaning to get a silicone mat. Thanks for the reminder.
Great list for an aspiring baker like myself. I keep meaning to try silicone mats. Are they that great?
Yes, silicone baking mats are incredible! They provide even heating and are so easy to clean. You can skip the parchment paper and grease. They’re ideal for baking cookies!
Get post!! Great tips, I have never really been good at baking, however, I love to cook. If you could pick any three tools a non-baker would use most what three would they be?
I think the 3 tools I’d choose would be a good bakeware set that contains most of the pans you’ll need, a good electric hand mixer, and a set of spatulas for scraping out ingredients from mixing bowls and pans, and for spreading icing and jellies. Hope that helps!
I swear to god on the measuring tools! They just simplify the whole baking process so so so so much! They truly are a game changer for anyone who is just starting to bake!
They absolutely are – they’re a must!
You definitely can’t bake without reliable measuring spoons and measuring cups! I think getting pretty ones that match your kitchen makes baking feel a lot more special : )
I missing 4 out of 20. I still use my mom’s hand mixer. I was planning to buy the stcnd mixer. I alwaysforget to grab some cookie scoop.
I love my stand mixer : ) Looks like you’ve got yourself pretty well set up!
Nice : ) I think the cookie scoop is SO helpful when you’re baking cookies and muffins. Baking can be quite a hassle to without one!
I bought my wife a kitchen aid for Christmas, although secretly it’s for me too. We love it! Great article =)
That’s awesome, Steve! I love my KitchenAid stand mixer too and use it all the time!