Hobbies can be a dangerous business. One minute you’re looking for the best pumpkin bread recipe, then suddenly, you’re in Bed Bath & Beyond having to talk yourself out of buying a stand mixer. But being good in the kitchen doesn’t necessarily require draining your bank account. Here are eleven essential baking tools that you actually need.
1. Mixing Bowls
Actual mixing bowls. Not plastic food containers or cereal bowls that you’re pretending are mixing bowls (no judgement, I’ve been there). These are some of the most essential essential baking tools. You’ll generally need one very large bowl, two medium-sized bowls, and a few smaller bowls.
Where to find them: Amazon, Target, or Walmart
2. Pinch Bowls
A.K.A those super tiny glass bowls. These are very handy for holding small amounts of ingredients, like seasonings, spices, and leavening agents. Use two pinch bowls to easily separate egg yolks and egg whites, like I do in my pumpkin waffle recipe.
Where to find them: Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, or Walmart
3. Digital Kitchen Scale
This one changed my life. You know by now that properly measuring flour is a crucial aspect of baking. And a digital kitchen scale is the most accurate way to do so.
I never achieved a fluffy, airy texture in my cakes before I started using a scale to measure my flour. My scale cost me less than $20, and I’ve had it for years. I never bake without it!
Where to find it: Amazon
4. Dry measuring cups
Okay, okay, I know I said that a digital scale is the best way to measure flour. And I will forever stand by that statement. But traditional dry measuring cups still have their place. Use them to measure add-in ingredients like chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
Where to find them: Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, or Walmart
5. Liquid measuring cups
Yes, there’s a difference between dry and liquid measuring cups (although my mom doesn’t think so yet she’s still an amazing cook. sorcery?). Use liquid measuring cups for milk, oil, water, and melted butter.
Where to find them: Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, or Walmart
6. Pastry cutter
Use this nifty tool to cut butter or shortening into your dry ingredients for biscuit, pie, or galette-making. It’s also pretty handy for mashing up ripe bananas for banana bread!
Where to find one: Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, or Walmart
7. Cookie cutters
If you plan on baking up some biscuits, rolled cookies, or even hand pies, cookie cutters are a very useful tool. There are ways to substitute them with aluminum can tops and other items, but why not make your life easier by using the real thing?
Where to find them: Amazon
8. Parchment paper
You never want to run of out this! Parchment paper is so affordable and ultra-versatile. Use it to bake pretty much everything, from drop cookies to sweet potatoes! It’s a fantastic tool for minimizing mess. And, gosh, can baking be messy!
Where to find it: Pretty much every supermarket, Amazon
9. Whisks in various sizes
Every baker needs a big whisk, a medium whisk, and a small whisk. Yeah, you could use a fork, but a whisk is way better at getting the job done. Plus, you’ll feel more like a fancy-pants pastry chef.
Where to find them: Pretty much every supermarket, Amazon
10. Rubber spatulas
Use spatulas for when you want to fold ingredients together (like when making muffins), instead of mixing or beating them.
Where to find them: Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, or Walmart
11. Handheld electric mixer
Because none of us are strong enough to cream butter by hand. We’re only human, right?
I know stand mixers are all the rage right now, but I’m still pretty partial to my handheld electric mixer. It’s cheaper, simpler, and it works damn good! Plus, it’s great for an arm workout (right?) I’ve used the same Hamilton Beach hand mixer that my mom uses for years now. I might upgrade to a stand mixer, but right now, I’m satisfied.
Where to find one: Amazon
Bonus essential baking tools you might like:
- This adorable vintage apron
- A donut pan, if baked donuts are your thing
- A silicone pastry mat, for less messy pastry-making
Leave a Reply