Measuring Cups
Unlike cooking, when the amount of salt you add is based on preference, the amount of sugar you add is a necessary measurement to follow when baking. Having these measuring cups ($14) in a set is a great way to measure ingredients for better baking. The unique snapping feature keeps the cups together for storage.
Measuring Spoons
It’s funny how something as small as an eighth of a teaspoon can make or break a whole cake. Get baking soda measurements just right with this 6-piece measuring spoons set ($10). Skip the estimating process and use their flat rims to easily level the product.
Mixing Bowls
Using serving bowls or random Tupperware to stir your ingredients in can get frustrating. Instead of trying to whisk cake batter in the bowl you also use for cereal, try this set of mixing bowls ($20) to ensure your ingredients don’t go spilling over the edge. Each bowl comes in a different bright, beautiful color.
Scale
You’ve probably seen the difference in cookie texture when you add too much flour or not enough sugar. Scales take the guesswork out of baking. This digital food scale ($9) is sleek, cheap and accurate—a definite plus in the science of baking.
Sifter
A common baking mistake is scooping the flour into your measuring cup and then leveling off the top. To properly measure flour, invest in this hand-crank sifter ($10). Using this in conjunction with a food scale will get you the perfect chocolate chip cookie every time. If we just made you hungry, try these ultimate chocolate chip cookies.
KitchenAid Whisk
Cheaper than a stationary mixer and more ergonomic than a fork, the whisk will be your best friend in the baking department. It smooths out the texture of your batter and aerates your mixture. This sturdy KitchenAid whisk ($7) will combine all your ingredients with little elbow grease on your end. It’s dishwasher safe, too!
Farberware Classic Wood Rolling Pin
While there are a lot of things you can creatively use in place of rolling pins, owning one will make things much easier when it comes to baking those homemade pizza crusts. The cool part is, its design and job hasn’t changed much since its first patent in the late 1800s. Add this classic wood rolling pin ($16) to your lineup.
Spoonula Set
Is it used for anything other than licking off the extra chocolate? The silicone heads of Rachael Ray’s Spoonula Set ($13) curve easily against the rounded part of your mixing bowl to scrape every last drop into your pan. This set comes in multiple cheery colors and is like a spatula with a spoon shape on one side. Speaking of chocolate, get a load of these fudgy brownies.
Baking Mat
Not that they can replace parchment paper entirely, but baking mats sure come close. This set of 2 silicone baking mats ($14) fit on your pan to prevent your sweets from sticking post-bake. Plus, they’re eco-friendly—simply wash and reuse.
Non-Stick Parchment Paper
Even though baking mats will suffice for most of your baking needs, trusty parchment paper ($4) should always be on hand. For instance, you can line a flat cookie sheet with a silicone mat, but you can’t line a cake mold with it. Here are other nifty ways to use parchment paper.
Pastry Cutter
We’ve all been there. You get all your ingredients together to make some yummy cranberry orange scones and then you read that the cold butter needs to be cut into the dough. Luckily, forks can do the trick, but pastry cutters like this one ($10) will be a little easier on your hands and wrists.
Scraper
Kneading thick dough is an upper-body workout. Thankfully, portioning the dough and cleaning it up doesn’t have to be. Bench scrapers like this multi-purpose scraper and chopper ($10) make it easy to get excess dough off the cutting board or section off chunks of dough for multiple batches.
Oven Thermometer
Maybe you’re using an oven you’re not used to or you’re testing a new recipe or you need to find out if your oven is working properly. This oven thermometer ($10) should help avert any crises and can hang right on your oven rack.
Baking Sheet
Of course, you need something to bake those delicious cherry bars on. Or cookies. Or coconut-almond bark. These non-stick baking sheets ($16) features an embossed geometric design that strengthens the baking sheet while increasing the air-flow to food.
Muffin Pan
One of the fun parts about muffin pans is how creative you can get. Personal cheesecakes, mini pizzas, bite-sized frittatas, brownie bites—you name it. The mini muffin and cupcake pan ($10) is great for bite-sized treats.
Square Pan
This is one of the most common pans in your average kitchen. Our 8-inch non-stick baking pan ($13) is perfect for coffee cakes or thick brownies.
Ramekins
Soufflés, crème brûlée, pudding, personal pies—what are ramekins not perfect for? This set of six ($13) is a great addition to your baking arsenal. It’s easy to make individual treats, or you use them to divvy up your dry ingredients before adding them to the mixture.
Baking Mitts
This one sounds like a no-brainer but seriously, don’t just settle for the hand towel hanging by your oven. Avoid any potential burns to your hands or forearms with heat resistant oven gloves. Some mitts, like this Cuisinart pair ($19), have non-slip silicone grips for a more secure hold.
Cooling Rack
While some Pinterest fails happen behind closed oven doors, others happen during the cooling process.These stackable cooling grids ($11) give you enough space to cool dozens of cookies or a few cakes all at once to prevent soggy centers.
Decorating Tips
Using a plastic zip bag that you cut a hole in is a great hack, but if you are a serious baker, it’s okay to invest in real decorating tips like this starter set ($13). Your cursive lettering will be more professional-looking and your rosettes might even look like real flowers.
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Rosemary Siefert