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There are certain baking tools and appliances that everyone needs in their kitchen. So, I'd thought I'd share my kitchen essentials with you. I'll give you the low down on my most reached for spatula to my favorite piping tips. I'm sharing my top 10 must-have tools that every baker needs!
I've been baking for as long as I can remember and have gone through my fair share of kitchen gadgets and utensils. But, I'm going to share with you just a few to get you started on stocking your bakers kitchen. There are many things that a baker needs, but these are my most used tools, therefore my must haves. So, if you're a new baker, a bride, finally getting your own place, or even an experienced baker looking to try something new, then this list is for you!
1. Oven Thermometer
Not all ovens are created equal. Yes, you read that right! Just because you set your oven to 350F does not mean it's really 350F on the inside. Some ovens run hot, while others run cold. Luckily there's an easy fix to figure out your oven's lies...an oven thermometer. They're inexpensive and will save you time and money in the long run. Simply position it in your oven and adjust your oven temperature as needed. Just remember they do wear out over time. It's good practice to replace it every year.
What I love and use: Rubbermaid Oven Thermometer
2. Food Scale
One thing I cannot live without is my food scale. I recommend it to every.single.baker. Why? Because in baking precision is everythang! The slightest mistake in measurement can lead to a baking disaster which is why it's so important to measure your ingredients. A gram is a gram. An ounce is an ounce, but a cup is not always a cup! My kitchen scale is one of my most used tools.
What I love and use: GreaterGoods Digital Food Kitchen Scale and OXO Digital Food Scale
3. Silicon Baking Mats
These have changed my life! Run and get yourself some if you haven't already. Sure, parchment paper is great, but silicone mats have the upper hand because they're reusable, non-stick, AND they promote even heat distribution and lay flat on a baking sheet. Score! I use them as non-stick surface for just about everything: cookies, chocolate dipped treats, rolling out dough, and more! They release like a dream and cookies just slide off the mat. I own 4 of them!
What I love and use: Fat Daddios Silicone Baking Mat
4. Cookie/Cupcake Scoop
I'm always asked how I get perfectly shaped cookies and even sized cupcakes and the secret is a cookie scoop. I use it every time I make cookies and cupcakes. I've even used it to put frosting on top of cupcakes. Yum! I have them in different sizes and the large size is my go to tool for getting uniform sized cupcakes. I love the comfortable ergonomic design that makes scooping a 'piece of cake.'
What I love and use: Stainless Steel Scoop
5. An Army of Spatulas
Spatulas are a bakers best friend. They're super handy for making icing and frosting cakes, folding together ingredients and scraping every last bit of goodness from the bowl.
Let's begin with the offset spatula. I love them! I use them to spread frosting onto cakes, spread cake batter evenly into cake pans, and for anything else they'll be useful for. I have different sizes ranging from small to large.
Next, silicone spatulas. I have a small army of them. I love them to be sturdy and floppy so that I scrape every nook and cranny of a jar or bowl. The best ever floppy silicone spatulas I've encountered thus far is by Betty Crocker and found at the Dollar Tree! I've been using these for years. You're welcome!
What I love and use: Offset Spatula and Betty Crocker Silicone Spatula from Dollar Tree or get it delivered through Amazon.
6. Mixing Bowls
I have two sets of mixing bowls: a glass set and a plastic set. Both are perfect for prepping and mixing doughs and batters. I love my glass mixing bowls that I purchased many years ago
from Ross when I moved into my first home. They're simple, practical, dishwasher safe, and easily double as serving bowls. I recommend a set that includes different sizes for different ingredients and nest together for easy storage. There are many options out there and you really can't go wrong. I love my plastic mixing bowl as well! They're heavy duty, microwave safe and I use them often for melting chocolate and they get bonus points for having handles, pour spouts, and rubberized bases.
What I love and use: Glass Mixing Bowl Set (very similar to mine) and Plastic Mixing Bowl Set
7. Baking Pans
It's important to have good baking pans. The pans I use the most are 6 & 8 inch round cake pans, 9 inch springform pans, a 9x13 pan, a sheet pan, and cupcake pans. I bake alot and these are the sizes I use most often. My favorite pans are by Fat Daddios. They are amazing! However, I also like select Nordic Ware, Calphalon, and Wilton pans.
What I love and use: Fat Daddios Round Cake Pans and Sheet Pans; Cupcake Pans.
8. Small Appliances
I had to lump these tools together and I use them with almost every single thing that I bake. First up is my food processor! I use this bad boy for grinding up cookies for crusts and making fruit purees. They do a heavy duty job, yet they're small and easy to store.
Next, is my stand mixer and hand mixer. I make alot of cakes and I couldn't do it without my KitchenAid Stand Mixer. I use it almost every day. It is the gold standard of kitchen tools and the best investment I've ever made. It's great for mixing large batches, cookie dough, or anything that requires several minutes of creaming and mixing. I also know it will last for a very long time and will become a treasured item. But, sometimes it's easier to just break out the hand mixer for a quick, no fuss recipe. If you're just starting out or not a heavy duty baker, then a hand mixer will be perfect. They're affordable and get the job done, but if you can afford both, then definitely get both!
What I love and use: KitchenAid Stand Mixer and Hamilton Beach Hand Mixer
9. Measuring Cups & Spoons
Chances are one of you first-ever baking purchases was a set of measuring cups and spoons. They're essential for every recipe and a good set is a worthy investment. A baker can never have too many measuring cups, in my opinion. A glass liquid measure cup with a spout is a must and the 2-cup size is convenient. For dry measuring cups and spoons, I prefer a metal set. They're sturdy, easy to clean, and have a clean edge for easy leveling. For cups, a set ranging down from 1 cup to 1/4 cup is very useful, alongside a set of metal measuring spoons that have a 1/2 measure. It will save you alot of grief when halving recipes. I rely heavily on these tools whenever I am baking.
What I use and love: Anchor Glass Measuring Cups and Measuring Glass; Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Magnetic Spoons Set
10. Turntable & Decorating Tips
I make and decorate alot of cakes and life would be so much harder without my turntable. A quality turntable is essential for a cake decorating and looks so professional. Frosting a layer cake is no easy task, so why not make life easier by investing in a turntable. Many people swear by another certain name brand, but I found a quality grade turntable on Amazon that is not as heavy and works just as good, if not better! Non-skid mats at The Dollar Tree. Winning!
Speaking of cake decorating, if you're only going to use one decorating tip for the rest of your life then the Wilton 1M tip is it. It makes all your cupcakes and piping jobs look fancy AF with little effort! I use this tip the most and have 6 of just this one decorating tip.
What I use and love: Aluminum Cake Stand and Turntable; WIlton 1M Decorating Tip
There you have it folks! My 10 must have tools for the home baker. I hope this is helpful. Let me know about your favorite baking tools. I'm always on the hunt to try something new. Happy baking!
Yours Sweetly,
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