Baking Basics: Must-Have Baking Tools and Some Non-Essential Tools That Are Nice To Have

 

     When starting out in baking, we tend to buy whatever we see in the baking supply stores without realizing whether an item is useful or not. Yes it is true that baking can be quite a daunting experience if you do not have on hand some essential tools. But there are just a small number of tools you can have in your kitchen to get you by.

     Based on personal experience, I am listing here 20 must-have tools any beginner baker ought to have in his arsenal; aside from an oven of course. With just these items you can have months of trouble-free baking ahead.

1. Measuring Cups and Spoons
     By now perhaps you've heard that baking is an exact science. It requires precision hence a set of measuring cups and spoons is essential. Did you know that there are two types of measuring cups? One is for dry ingredients and the other is for liquid ingredients. The dry measure cups usually come in 1, ½, ⅓ and ¼ cup. The liquid measure is usually 1 cup with graduations of cup fractions as well as volume graduations. The measuring spoons (which come in 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, ½ teaspoon and ¼ teaspoon) can be used for both dry and liquid ingrdients.
2. Mixing bowl
     Mixing bowls are so useful in combining ingredients, whisking eggs and used as receptacles for batter, icing or frosting.
3. Fine mesh sieve
     You can use a fine mesh sieve for sifting dry ingredients to remove lumps. It also comes in handy for dusting powdered sugar on top of cookies of cakes.
4. Wire whisk
     This is useful for beating eggs, for blending ingredients together and for stirring sauces and glazes.
5. Kitchen knife
     One knife is all you need for cutting, dicing, chopping and slicing ingredients.
6. Kitchen scissors
     A pair of scissors is useful for trimming pie dough and cutting parchment paper for lining pans.
7. Wooden spoon
     A wooden spoon is used for stirring batter or sauces when you don't want to incorporate a lot of air. It is sturdy enough to be used with cookie batter or the first stages of bread dough mixing.
8. Pastry brush
     A pastry brush can be useful in greasing pans. It is also especially useful when you need to brush the dough with water, eggwash or milk prior to baking.   
9. Rubber spatula
     This is one of the most useful tools for me. It is used to fold in dry ingredients into the batter, scrape a bowl clean of batter or to use up all contents of jars. Basically, a rubber spatula is a no-wastage tool. There are silicone spatulas available these days which are especially useful for hot sauces, glazes and pastry cream.
10. Sheet pan
     This versatile tool is perfect for baking cookies, choux pastry and bread rolls.
11. Muffin pan
     This is useful for making cupcakes or muffins which are some beginner baker favorites. It is also useful for making savory treats like breakfast egg cups or mini quiches.
12. Loaf pan
     A loaf pan is used for pound cakes, loaf bread and quickbreads. They come in a variety of sizes but a 7" x 3.5" is most commonly used. It pays to have at least two of this.
13. Cake pans
     It is essential to have a couple each of a round, square and rectangular pan.  An 8- or 9-inch round pan is usually called for in most cake recipes. A couple of  8- or 9-inch square pans are also handy to have for brownies and soft type bread rolls. A 13x9-inch rectangular pan is very useful for making a lot of bars, cakes and cheesecakes.
14. Pie plate
     If you make homemade pies, this is a must-have tool. Even some frozen desserts require the use of a pie plate.
15. Oven thermometer
     I cannot stress this enough, people. Don't trust your oven's thermometer. It is a must that you invest in an oven thermometer that you put inside the baking chamber close to the middle to get an accurate reading of the oven temperature.
16. Electric mixer
     Whether handheld or stand model, nothing says baker than an electric mixer. You can very well do a lot of recipes using a handheld mixer. But if you're thinking long-term, a stand mixer from a reputable company might be your best investment yet. Some models become heirloom pieces because they often outlive the owner, they're that sturdy.
17. Wire rack
     For cooling your baked goods straight out of the oven. It lets air flow under preventing soggy cakes and bread.
18. Rolling pin
     A rolling pin is essential for rolling out bread dough, pie dough or roll out cookies. It is also useful for pounding nuts, dry bread for breadcrumbs and wafer cookies for pie dough.
19. Spatula/turner
     A spatula is very handy for lifting cookies out of pans to a cooling rack. Another use for it is for leveling cake batter in pans for a smooth top and level layers. It can also be used to run on the sides of pans to release cakes without the risk of sticking.
20. Pastry bag and basic icing tips
     For decorating those cupcakes, cookies and layer cakes.  Just a basic star tip and round tip are all you need to begin with.

     Then there are the other non-essential but nice to have tools. These items can wait for when you get more serious with baking or intend to turn your baking into a home business. And they are:

1. Food processor
2. Zester
3. Double-boiler
4. Springform pan
5. Bundt pan
6. Tart pan
7. Weighing scale
8. Icing turntable or Lazy Susan
9. Candy thermometer
10. Silpat or silicone baking mat
11. Bench scraper
12. Ice cream scoop

Photo from thespruceeats.com