If you love to bake delicious goods, then you probably have your kitchen stocked with all kinds of tools. However, if you have just started baking, then there are certain tools that you might want to invest in. Getting the proper utensils from the very beginning will ensure that the right ingredients are turned into a delicious miracle rather than a kitchen disaster.
Here is what you will have to get:
1. Recipe Books
Okay, you might not necessarily bake with them but recipe books are very important to have in your kitchen as you are baking. The trick to baking is that you need to mix the right ingredients in the correct order and then bake everything at the proper temperature for a set amount of time.
It takes experience for you to “wing it,” which is why you will need some baking books to guide you through everything.
2. Whisk
When you are baking or making almost any kind of sweets in the kitchen, you can’t do without a whisk.
Are you making pancakes? You need a whisk.
Are you beating eggs for a cake? You need a whisk.
Are you making sauces, dressing, or whipped cream? You need a whisk. Y
You probably used a classic “mixing fork” to get everything nice and mixed but using a whisk will make matters so much easier for you.
4. Digital Scales
When you are baking, you might end up doing a lot of multitasking. Moreover, there are many distractions that might take you away from the task at hand – such as your kid asking for your undivided attention.
For baked goods to not get burned or undercooked, you might want to get a digital timer. Modern timers have more than one clock that you can set, making them a good choice if you are baking dough and making creams separately.
4.Digital Scales
A digital scale might be one of the most important things that a baker needs. Measurements are very important when it comes to baking and getting them wrong might end up in a cooking disaster. If the recipe asks for 150 grams of flour, then you’ll need 150 grams of flour – definitely not 200 grams.
Ideally, go for a digital scale with a tare function, as you may place a bowl and zero it away from the measurements.
5. Mixer
Sure, you have the whisk but sometimes that may not be enough. For some recipes, a whisk can be very tiresome and you may not get the effects that you want. Think about how much you’ll have to whisk at the egg whites in order to make them perfect for meringues.
A mixer will allow you to get everything nicely mixed and is a necessity for properly blended recipes.
If you are planning on baking the best chocolate cake for your family, don't attempt this feat without a good mixer in the kitchen.
6. Mixing Bowls
As a baker, you can’t just mix the ingredients in any other bowl. A cake mixing bowl should not be used for anything else other than the actual cake. Not for meat, not for sauces, etc. This is not just about hygiene, but regardless of how much you wash it, grease and odor can still seep out from the bowl.
You probably don’t want your strawberry cheesecake to smell like fish. For more versatility, you may want to have two sets of mixing bowls – one from glass and one from stainless steel.
7. Rolling Pin
As an aspiring baker, you’ll probably reach a point where you’ll want to make some pie, pastry cuts or perhaps some biscuits and cookies too. In that case, you’ll have to get a rolling pin. Roller types are better than rod types if you are a beginner but no matter your baking level, it will still greatly influence your end product.
More than half the things you bake in the kitchen will probably require you to use a rolling pin.
8. Measuring Cups and Spoons
Scales are important, but sometimes, the measurements will be given in spoons, tablespoons, or cups. What you need to remember is that a teaspoon from a measuring spoon may not have the same quantity as the one in your drawer. The same thing goes for cups.
Since measurements are critical, you might want to invest in baking measuring cups and spoons. They don’t have to be expensive or brand products; they just need to be accurate.
9. Baking Trays
No matter if you are baking spring rolls or cookies, you will need a baking tray. The chances are that your stove will already have one but if it doesn’t, you need to get one yourself. You should also make sure that they have non-stick surfaces so that you don’t have to peel the cookies out of the tray if you do not use baking sheets.
10. Cooling Racks
Cooling racks are also very important as you need a way to allow the cookies to cool after they finish baking. If you leave them on the tray, chances are that the air won’t circulate properly. So rather than being nice and crisp, the cookies will end up yucky and soggy.
Plus, there is the chance that the baked cookies will continue to burn even after they’ve been pulled out of the oven, all because the baking tray is still hot.
11. Cake Pans
You can’t call yourself a baker without having a cake pan around. The advantage of these pans is that they’re not only good for regular cake; they’re also perfect for cheesecakes, bars, shortbreads, squares, pies, anything you may fancy. You might want to get two cake pans, a round one and a square one. Both of them will allow you to pull the baked goods out without damaging the margins of the cake.
12. Silicone Spatulas
Regular spatulas are good, but more often than not, they cannot scrape the batter from the sides of the bowl entirely – not to mention that the risk of damage will also be there. On the other hand, a silicone spatula will be more efficient at scraping the bowl. Plus, it is fun for the kids, as it allows them to get every bit of the remaining (edible) batter from the mixing bowl.
13. Silicone Baking Mat
A silicone baking mat is a great alternative for baking foil, cooking sheets, or parchments. While standard parchment has to be thrown away after every cooking session, silicone baking mats can be reused. They can easily be cleaned, won’t allow for the cookies to stick to the surface, and also won’t allow too much to spill in the actual pan.
14. Icing Knife
Cookies and cakes will also need icing but a regular knife might not be such a great choice. Not to mention that it is likely to have lingering smells from previous use. An icing knife will only be used for this task and will not smell like the fish you just cut several hours ago.
15. Cookie Press or Scoop
If you want to prepare those perfectly shaped cookies, you also need to invest in a cookie press or a cookie scoop – or perhaps both. Based on the shapes that you choose, this will allow you to turn the batter into everything that you want with ease.
Where To Get Your Baking Supplies
If you are looking to expand the number of baking tools that you have at home, there are a number of well-stocked shops that you can spend a few hours browsing in.
Here are a few that you can check out:
The Bottom Line
Cooking at home can be very fun and entertaining but only if you have the right tools by your side. Start with these and allow your creativity to soar in the kitchen as you are making baked goodies for your loved ones.