15 Essentials for the Baker’s Kitchen
Whether you’re a beginning baker setting up your kitchen for the first time or an avid baker attempting to downsize — or you just hope to tame those overstuffed cupboards and drawers — this guide is a good place to start. If you own only the 15 items on this list (we’ll assume you’re starting with oven mitts and a wooden spoon), you’ll be in good shape to tackle most baking recipes with ease. What you won’t find here: piping bags, doughnut pans, individual-size ramekins or any other highly specialized items. If and when you want to bake with those, you’ll know.
1. Stand Mixer
Can you mix up cookie dough and cake batter by hand? Sure you can. But having a good-quality stand mixer will give your arm a break and make shorter work of essential baking tasks like mixing batter, whipping cream and even kneading bread dough.
Find stand mixers in the Houzz Shop
Can you mix up cookie dough and cake batter by hand? Sure you can. But having a good-quality stand mixer will give your arm a break and make shorter work of essential baking tasks like mixing batter, whipping cream and even kneading bread dough.
Find stand mixers in the Houzz Shop
2. Measuring Cups and Spoons
A set of measuring cups and spoons plus a liquid measuring cup are must-haves you’ll reach for with every baking recipe. And if you’re curious: Liquid and dry measuring containers can be used interchangeably, but liquid measuring cups offer extra headroom so you won’t spill.
See a selection of kitchen measuring tools on Houzz
A set of measuring cups and spoons plus a liquid measuring cup are must-haves you’ll reach for with every baking recipe. And if you’re curious: Liquid and dry measuring containers can be used interchangeably, but liquid measuring cups offer extra headroom so you won’t spill.
See a selection of kitchen measuring tools on Houzz
3. Digital Scale
If you thought kitchen scales were useful only for pros, think again. Baking is more science than art, and exact measurements are key to reliable results — so using a scale to weigh ingredients (or batter for individual cookies, as shown here) is equally important for beginners.
Browse kitchen scales on Houzz
If you thought kitchen scales were useful only for pros, think again. Baking is more science than art, and exact measurements are key to reliable results — so using a scale to weigh ingredients (or batter for individual cookies, as shown here) is equally important for beginners.
Browse kitchen scales on Houzz
4. Whisk
You can beat eggs with a fork, but nothing incorporates air to create that awesomely fluffy texture like a whisk. Bonus: You can also use your whisk to “sift” flour and break up lumps.
Find whisks in the Houzz Shop
You can beat eggs with a fork, but nothing incorporates air to create that awesomely fluffy texture like a whisk. Bonus: You can also use your whisk to “sift” flour and break up lumps.
Find whisks in the Houzz Shop
5. Nesting Mixing Bowls
A good set of mixing bowls in either glass or stainless steel is something you’ll reach for again and again. Use them for mixing, of course, but also for setting out your mise en place of ingredients before cooking, or holding the frosting until the cake comes out of the oven.
See a selection of mixing bowls
A good set of mixing bowls in either glass or stainless steel is something you’ll reach for again and again. Use them for mixing, of course, but also for setting out your mise en place of ingredients before cooking, or holding the frosting until the cake comes out of the oven.
See a selection of mixing bowls
6. Parchment Paper
A roll of parchment can be used to line baking sheets and cake pans to prevent sticking, or can be put on the countertop for rolling out pie dough. And when you’re done baking, cut pieces of parchment to layer between confections in cookie tins.
7. Baking Sheets
For cookies, pastries and other sweets, you’ll need a baking sheet or two. Rimmed baking sheets like the one shown here can also be used for roasting veggies and meats, while rimless baking sheets tend to produce more reliable browning. Either type also works for catching drips beneath a pie pan. Pick your favorite or get one of each — when stored in a vertical rack, they take up hardly any room.
Browse baking sheets
A roll of parchment can be used to line baking sheets and cake pans to prevent sticking, or can be put on the countertop for rolling out pie dough. And when you’re done baking, cut pieces of parchment to layer between confections in cookie tins.
7. Baking Sheets
For cookies, pastries and other sweets, you’ll need a baking sheet or two. Rimmed baking sheets like the one shown here can also be used for roasting veggies and meats, while rimless baking sheets tend to produce more reliable browning. Either type also works for catching drips beneath a pie pan. Pick your favorite or get one of each — when stored in a vertical rack, they take up hardly any room.
Browse baking sheets
8. Glass, Ceramic or Metal Baking Pans
Brownies, bars and Rice Krispies Treats: An 8-by-8-inch baking pan can handle them all. If you’d like to make sheet cakes, a 9-by-13-inch baking pan will work, as well as taking on savory casseroles. Glass and ceramic are attractive enough to go from oven to table, but metal pans get the job done just as well.
Find baking dishes on Houzz
Brownies, bars and Rice Krispies Treats: An 8-by-8-inch baking pan can handle them all. If you’d like to make sheet cakes, a 9-by-13-inch baking pan will work, as well as taking on savory casseroles. Glass and ceramic are attractive enough to go from oven to table, but metal pans get the job done just as well.
Find baking dishes on Houzz
9. Round Cake Pan
Classic cakes need a classic cake pan. A 9-inch round cake pan is often called for in American recipes, making it a versatile choice. If you think you’ll be wanting to make a tall layer cake, get two.
Find round cake pans in the Houzz Shop
10. Loaf Pan
For banana bread, zucchini bread, pound cake, poppy seed cake and more, you’ll need a loaf pan. In fact, if you’re not one to bake your own birthday cake, you may want to skip the cake pans entirely and go with a more versatile loaf pan instead.
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11. Muffin Pan
For muffins and cupcakes, nothing else will do. Don’t forget to grab a pack of baking cups if you’d like to be able to lift out your treats easily.
Find cupcake and muffin pans on Houzz
Classic cakes need a classic cake pan. A 9-inch round cake pan is often called for in American recipes, making it a versatile choice. If you think you’ll be wanting to make a tall layer cake, get two.
Find round cake pans in the Houzz Shop
10. Loaf Pan
For banana bread, zucchini bread, pound cake, poppy seed cake and more, you’ll need a loaf pan. In fact, if you’re not one to bake your own birthday cake, you may want to skip the cake pans entirely and go with a more versatile loaf pan instead.
Browse loaf pans
11. Muffin Pan
For muffins and cupcakes, nothing else will do. Don’t forget to grab a pack of baking cups if you’d like to be able to lift out your treats easily.
Find cupcake and muffin pans on Houzz
12. Spatulas
A silicone spatula won’t leave a single tasty morsel behind when scraping the last bit of batter from the bowl or handling super-sticky confections. The other key spatula to have is a big, flat version for sliding under those giant, delicious chocolate chip cookies. Choose one in stainless steel if you don’t have to worry about scratching nonstick pans; silicone if you do.
See a selection of spatulas
A silicone spatula won’t leave a single tasty morsel behind when scraping the last bit of batter from the bowl or handling super-sticky confections. The other key spatula to have is a big, flat version for sliding under those giant, delicious chocolate chip cookies. Choose one in stainless steel if you don’t have to worry about scratching nonstick pans; silicone if you do.
See a selection of spatulas
13. Pie Pan
For sweet and savory pies and quiches, a 9- or 10-inch pie pan in glass or ceramic will ensure your homemade pie is baked to perfection.
Find pie pans in the Houzz Shop
14. Rolling Pin
A wooden rolling pin with handles (like the one shown here) is the classic choice. Use yours to roll out dough, and also to crush chocolate or nuts.
Find rolling pins on Houzz
For sweet and savory pies and quiches, a 9- or 10-inch pie pan in glass or ceramic will ensure your homemade pie is baked to perfection.
Find pie pans in the Houzz Shop
14. Rolling Pin
A wooden rolling pin with handles (like the one shown here) is the classic choice. Use yours to roll out dough, and also to crush chocolate or nuts.
Find rolling pins on Houzz
15. Cooling Racks
These lightweight metal grids are essential for giving your warm-from-the-oven cookies and cakes a place to rest. They also make a handy spot for decorating your treats, since they allow excess icing and sprinkles to drop below.
These lightweight metal grids are essential for giving your warm-from-the-oven cookies and cakes a place to rest. They also make a handy spot for decorating your treats, since they allow excess icing and sprinkles to drop below.