Whether you're new to baking and want to put together a shopping list of the essentials, or you're an avid baker who's looking to adopt a more minimalist mindset, it's important to know what tools you need to create perfectly baked goods. By understanding and starting with the essentials, you can make sure you're prepared to take on any recipe. Keeping five essentials on hand will save you time on cake-baking day, since you won't have to search for items under mounds of unnecessary baking tools.
As with any art, it's easy to get excited about the latest and greatest gadgets on the market. However, more often than not, those gadgets aren't necessary or needed to make even professional-level goods. Our Bob's Red Mill experts have created this guide to the best kitchen tools to help you break through the noise and determine which kitchen essentials are actually worth your time. Use it to prepare your space as a baking haven or declutter the many kitchen accessories you've accumulated over the years.
Stand or Hand Mixer
An investment that's worth every penny, investing in a stand mixer is an excellent way to ensure that all of your baked recipes are mixed to perfection. Because nearly every recipe calls for some mixing, this is one kitchen gadget you'll be pulling out regularly. If a stand mixer is currently out of your kitchen budget, opt for a more wallet-friendly version and consider an electric hand mixer instead. While a hand mixer requires a bit more work on your end, it's quicker and more accurate than actually mixing your recipes by hand. From muffins to cookies and icing, a mixer is an appliance you don't want to skip over.
Rubber Spatula
If you're a fan of accuracy and consistency, then you'll understand when we say that every ounce of batter matters when whipping up a baked good. A rubber spatula can be used for several different kitchen tasks, but one of the most important being scraping batter from bowls and measuring cups. While one spatula will do the trick when purchasing your spatula, look for options that include different sizes. Having a few different sizes and widths will come in handy when working with smaller, uniquely shaped bowls.
Whisk
Wondering why you need a whisk when you already have a stand mixer? When it comes to mixing dry ingredients, mix too vigorously, and you'll end up with the majority of the ingredients on your counter rather than in the bowl. Using a whisk to blend dry ingredients is ideal. Unlike a spoon, a whisk also incorporates air, helping you create light and fluffy goods. Whisks can also be used for more technical tasks like texturizing homemade frosting and frothing egg mixtures.
Pans
When it comes to shopping for pans, stick to the essentials. While too many pans can quickly clutter your kitchen, there's nothing worse than mixing up a delicious baked good only to find that you have nothing to bake it in. Instead of purchasing every pan you see, buy a few pans that can be used for several different purposes.
Here's a list of pans we recommend stocking your kitchen with:
- 9-inch round baking pan
- 9 x 13-inch baking pan
- Glass pie pan
- Cupcake/muffin tin
- Rimmed baking sheet
Measuring Tools
Measuring is a crucial part of creating a perfectly baked cake. Over- or under-measuring one ingredient can offset the entire recipe. A common mistake that many bakers make is measuring all of the ingredients in the same cup. While you might see this as a way of cutting down on cleanup time, it can result in recipe disaster. When cooking in general, there are specific measuring cups intended for dry and wet ingredients. Making sure your kitchen is stocked with each is an excellent way to ensure cake recipe success.
Additionally, if you want to be extra precise about your measurements, consider investing in a kitchen scale. Doing so will ensure accuracy and create great-tasting, beautiful baked goods.
Remember, every baker has to start somewhere. Take your cake-baking game to the next level with this comprehensive list of kitchen tools that will keep you well-equipped in the kitchen each time you try a new recipe. We can't wait to see the fantastic cakes you create. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, happy baking!
Have a few favorite baking tools of your own? We'd love to hear the essentials you keep on hand. Let us know in the comments below!
