12+ Recommended Essential Baking Tools for Every Home Cook
If you are here, then you are probably searching for a good list of essential baking tools.
As someone who is passionate about baking, I have accumulated a lot of baking tools and gadgets over the years. However, I keep coming back to these 12 tools for good reason – these tools make it easier for me to make all of my favorite treats.
Whether you are a beginner baker, intermediate baker, or a more seasoned baker, I’m sure you will find something on this list that you probably already have or need. You could also refer to this list of essential baking tools if you are trying to find a gift for someone or putting together your gift registry. I hope you find this list useful.
Let me know in the comments below what your absolute must-have baking tools are.
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Alright, lets get started!
1 Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls are essential baking tools needed for almost every recipe. Whether you are mixing a cake batter or mixing cookie dough you will need a container in which you can combine all your ingredients.
I enjoy using these Pyrex glass mixing bowls and Stainless steel mixing bowls for so many reasons including the fact that they are sturdy and do not react with any ingredient.
If you are shopping for a gift set or would just prefer something a little nicer, here is a set of Ceramic mixing bowls that you will love!
2 Spatulas
Spatulas are baking tools that I cannot do without. They are perfect for mixing batters, creams, and scraping the bottom of mixing bowls.
I typically lean more towards silicone spatulas because they are heat-resistant, non-stick and you can find them in so many colors and designs.
3 Rimmed Baking Sheets
These are perfect for baking cookies, roll cakes, making candy, and a slew of other baking projects. I own so many of these, and I don’t think I’ve ever regretted having so many.
I would recommend that you start out with at least two baking sheets, that way if you have one in the oven, you can continue to work with the second baking sheet. These half-sheet Nordic Ware baking sheets are sturdy, bake evenly, are made from natural aluminum, and will last a lifetime. You can also purchase these Nordic ware full sheet baking sheets so that you have a good variety to work with.
4 Whisks
You can’t go wrong with this OXO good grip balloon whisk. I absolutely love it! This stainless steel balloon whisk is budget friendly and gets the job done.
Whisks help to incorporate air into mixtures. They can be used to mix dry ingredients or to whisk dishes such as eggs or pastry cream.
5 Food Scale
I absolutely cannot do without my food scale. I have had my scale for sooooo many years, that the model I use is no longer in production. Understandably, a lot of home bakers prefer to measure in cups (because it is more convenient). However, food scales ensure that you will get the same results every time.
As such, I definitely consider a food scale one of my essential baking tools. Here’s a food scale that looks pretty good and has amazing reviews.
6 Measuring Cups & Spoons
So, there’s no way measuring cups and spoons should be missing from any list of essential baking tools. They are one of the first tools any baker buys. I have gone through quite a few of these… especially because I keep losing my measuring spoons (*it must be the kids, right? :)). Anyhow, here’s a good set of stainless steel measuring cups and spoons that I love, and I know that you’ll definitely love too.
7 Hand Mixer and Stand Mixer
If you’ve watched my YouTube videos, you’ve probably seen me use a hand mixer or stand mixer to make my cake batters or bread dough. This is because they are so handy and make it really easy to mix batter or dough.
I have had my hand mixer for at least 13 years, and it is still going strong. My Kitchen Aid stand mixer is at least 12 years old and I haven’t had any issues with it. I have had other (not-so-good) stand mixers before it that I regret buying.
I would recommend you get a hand mixer if you are just starting out, or for smaller baking projects. However, if you love to bake a lot, I would recommend you invest in an excellent stand mixer like this kitchen aid stand mixer. If you are unable to afford any of the two tools you could use your hands – but it would take more time and effort on your part.
8 Rolling Pins (Large and Small)
You will probably not need rolling pins if you will only be baking drop cookies, muffins and cupcakes. However, if you plan on baking biscuits, cut-out sugar cookies, scones, or decorating cakes with fondant then you will need rolling pins. I have had this large 20″ Wilton rolling pin and small 9″ Wilton rolling pin for years, and they have served me very well.
9 Cooling Rack
Cooling racks are essential for allowing good air circulation around your baked goods after they are baked. They will prevent your baked treats from accumulating moisture at the bottom after baking. Wilton has some really good cooling racks.
10 Muffin Pan, Cake Pans, Tart Tins,Springform Pans and Loaf Pans
Without muffin pans, cake pans or loaf pans you wouldn’t be able to bake too many interesting treats. I guess you could get away with just baking breads… but variety makes baking so much more fun! I have so many of these in my kitchen I’ve lost count.
Make sure you invest in a good set of baking pans so that they last you a long time.
Here are some of my favourites: Nordic ware Bundt Quartet Pan for bundt cakes, Spring form pans for cheesecakes, round cake pans, muffin pans for cupcakes and muffins, Tart tins with removable bottoms and of course we cannot forget the loaf pans for making bread loaves or quick-breads.
11 Parchment Paper
If you’ve ever baked cakes or cookies that got stuck to your baking pan or sheet, then you understand how parchment paper ended on this list of essential baking tools. Parchment paper is a must-have if you do not want to feel the heartbreak of seeing your baked treats stuck in your baking pans.
You could choose to get either bleached or unbleached parchment paper, it really comes down to your personal preference. The key difference being that bleached parchment paper is treated with chlorine to give it its white color, while unbleached parchment paper is chlorine-free and brown.
12 Food Storage Containers
Food storage containers are essential in any kitchen. However, I could not leave them off the list of essential baking tools because I can absolutely guarantee that you will need them. I use them to store everything from flour to buttercream. You will need to make sure you invest in a good mix set of airtight and freezer-safe storage containers of different shapes and sizes.
In addition to the essential baking tools noted above, there are a few others that I would suggest you add to your kitchen if you are able to: Pastry Blender, Pastry Brush, Pie Dishes, Cookie Dough Scoop, Zester/Microplane and a Food Processor.
For those who are searching for cake baking essentials for beginners, you could consider adding the following to your list: Turntable, Piping bags and piping tips, Cake drums, and an Offset spatula. I will have a more in-depth post on this at a later date.
In conclusion, you should consider investing in some of these tools if you are just starting off in baking. However, you do not need to purchase these all at once. Take your time. Enjoy the journey. Baking is so much fun.
For the more seasoned bakers, are there any tools that you consider “essential baking tools” that you feel I may have missed on this list? Let me know in the comments below.
Until Next Time – Take Care!
This is not a sponsored post and I’m not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned, but this post does contain affiliate links. Thanks for your support!
