Unleash your inner baker with our ultimate guide to the must-have tools for the kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, having the right appliances and utensils can make all the difference when concocting your latest creations. Get ready to elevate your baking game!
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Baking can be an art; it can be an exact science. It can also be fun! And sometimes, it can be frustrating. I get you. I remember finding a cake recipe online and wanting to try it out. It didn’t come together quite like I had hoped the first time. But I eventually got it right. And aside from practice, you know what really helped? Having the right items at my disposal. The proper tools really can make a difference. So, to help make your life easier, I’ve compiled a list of some baking tools that you’ll definitely want to have on hand in your kitchen.
1. Round cake tin
A good cake tin is a must, and Le Creuset is a brand that makes great quality ones with a classy design. It’s easy to clean, easy to use, and very durable. Aside from baking, you can also use it for so many other dishes. One of my favorite recipes is a simple Swedish Visiting Cake, perfect for a quick dessert when you have people over.
2. Loaf tin
A loaf tin is essential not only for desserts but for making savory dishes as well. This particular loaf tin is non-stick, and has silicone handles, making it so much easier to take out of the oven. It’s also really durable, and easy to clean! One of my favorite bakes is my Copycat Starbucks Marble Loaf Cake, perfect to pair with coffee or tea.
3. Square baking tin
I love this square baking tin! Let it be known! It’s made with quality materials, is ceramic-reinforced, and has a micro-textured pattern at the bottom that helps with airflow. Everything bakes so evenly with this pan. I especially love it for my lemon bars, which are the perfect sweet-tangy snack.
4. Stand mixer
Yes, stand mixers seem like such an investment. But let me tell you, it’s a very worthy one, especially if you like to bake! And no stand mixer has compared to the mother of all mixers—the KitchenAid. It’s made with superior materials and with good craftsmanship. It’s easy to use, has 10 speeds, and comes with a dough hook attachment so you can make delicious chocolate cinnamon rugelach!
5. Muffin tin
Muffins are great for any time of the day, and this Wilton muffin tin helps you make the best ones every time. It has 12 cups and is non-stick, so it’s easy to use and even easier to clean. One of my favorite muffin recipes is my banana cream cheese muffins—great for on-the-go breakfasts, and after-school snacks!
6. Bundt tin
Bundt cakes are always so beautiful, but always so intimidating to make. The latter part stopped being true when I got this particular Bundt pan. It’s made with cast aluminum and has a gorgeous crisp pattern. It’s also non-stick inside so releasing your cake doesn’t have to be such a daunting task! I use it to make my orange gingerbread Bundt cake, which is the perfect holiday dessert!
7. Cookie cutter
Look, sometimes, we just want our cookies to be round. Is that too much to ask? Nope. Especially not with these cookie cutters! They are made with high-grade stainless steel, so they’re durable and will keep their shape for a long time. Best of all, they have a soft rubber handle that makes it easier to use. So go ahead, and make some perfectly round snowman sugar cookies for Christmas!
8. Ramekins
Single servings are made easier with ramekins, trust me. Use them to make soups, souffles, quiches, etc. They’re also great for ice cream, or sauces and condiments. These are the ones I use and are my absolute favorite because they’re so sturdy and made with porcelain. I particularly like using them to make my white chocolate mousse. Light and yummy, ramekins make it easy to serve!
9. Colling rack
You will always need a cooling rack. This is an absolute kitchen staple. This one is sturdy enough to hold meats in the oven, and to hold lots of cookies after baking. It has a grid design, which keeps your treats on the tray—especially my chocolate peanut butter whoopie pies, which are small and can sometimes slip between the spaces.
10. Pie tin
My grandma always valued presentation—that the appearance of your dish matters. One of her favorite tools was a really good, cast-iron pie tin. You get even bakes every time. And everyone knows cast iron LASTS, so this one won’t dent or warp, and you can keep using them for decades after. I use it to make and serve my Grand Marnier pecan pie, a Thanksgiving staple in my home.
11. Hand whisk
A good balloon whisk is a must for every kitchen. Electric whisks are great, but there are recipes that call for a gentler touch, and that is where a hand whisk comes in. This whisk has that perfect shape to whip and aerate your ingredients. It also has a non-slip handle, which makes it easy to use. I love it for more delicate recipes, like my white chocolate strawberry cake.
12. Measuring spoons
A truly essential tool for cooking and baking is a good set of measuring spoons. These are the ones I use, and I believe, are the best ones. They’re heavy-duty, so they don’t rust and bend. My favorite part? They’re magnetic! You can use them individually, and keep them all together. They’re also dual-sided, with one side shaped into narrow ovals—easy to fit into your spice jars!
13. Rubber spatula
Have you ever used a spatula and had the silicone end pop off or break off because it’s just attached to a wooden or plastic handle? Yeah, I’ve had that happen, too. So frustrating! My new favorite spatulas are ones that are wrapped in silicone throughout. Everything is silicone from the handle to the end. It’s heat-resistant, sturdy, and won’t scratch your pans!
14. Kitchen scale
Weigh! Your! Ingredients! You’ve read this in many blogs and heard it in many baking videos, but it is the absolute most useful rule. Ever. Baking—more so than cooking—requires exact amounts, so how much or how little of an ingredient you add will really affect the finished product. This kitchen scale is easy to use and made with stainless steel so it’s sturdy, too.
15. Mixing bowls
There are different kinds of mixing bowls out there, but these are my favorite. I prefer steel because they’re easier to clean and maintain. Plastic can scratch easily and can be contaminated by food residue (especially when used for marinating). Steel interior bowls don’t retain odors and don’t stain! The best thing about these bowls is the rubber bottom, which makes it non-skid and easy to use when mixing.
