10 Highly Recommended Baking Tools

Since 2017, I've been exploring baking on my website, trying out more than a thousand recipes. About 250 of those were desserts. Along the way, I've learned that being a great baker doesn't mean having tons of tools. It's about having a few reliable ones that really make a difference.

I love everything about baking (well, almost everything). So, I've put together a list of my top ten baking tools. Why? Because I think you'll find them interesting and super helpful. I use these tools all the time, and I believe they're essential for any baker.

Top 10 Recommended Baking Tools

What's great about these ten tools is that they're simple and easy to get. Whether you bake now and then or you're a pro, these utensils are not just handy—they're crucial. From getting precise measurements with a kitchen scale to whipping up perfect peaks with a hand mixer, each tool plays a key role in making baking a success.

1. Kitchen Scale

• Why Recommend: In my opinion the most important tool in the kitchen. Ensures precise measurements for consistent results. Crucial for accurately measuring ingredients, especially in recipes were precision matters like cakes and desserts.
• Our top pick: Ultrean Digital Food Scale
• Important tips: Calibrate your scale regularly to ensure accurate measurements. Use the tare function to zero out the weight of bowls or containers before adding ingredients for precise measurements.

 

2. Hand Mixer

• Why Recommend: Versatile, easy to store, easy to use and efficient for mixing batters and doughs. Provides ease and speed in blending ingredients without the bulk of a stand mixer.
• Our top picks: Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer or KitchenAid 7-Speed Hand Mixer
• Important tips: Start at a low speed to avoid splattering ingredients, then gradually increase speed as needed. Also, periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

 

3. Ice Cream Scoop

• Why Recommend: Doubles as a consistent portioning tool for cookies, muffins, and more.
• Our top pick: Restaurantware Met Lux
• Important tips: Use an ice cream scoop to portion out cookie dough for evenly sized cookies. This ensures that all cookies bake at the same rate, resulting in a uniform batch with consistent texture and appearance.

 

4. Rubber Spatula

• Why Recommend: Ideal for scraping bowls, folding ingredients, and ensuring no batter goes to waste. Offers flexibility and precision in handling delicate mixtures without damaging them.
• Our top pick: Rubbermaid Commercial Products
• Important tips: Invest in high-quality heat-resistant spatulas to avoid melting or warping when used with hot ingredients. Silicone spatulas are ideal for scraping bowls and pans without scratching surfaces.

 

5. Pastry Bag and Piping Tips

• Why Recommend: Essential for decorating cakes, cupcakes, and pastries with precision and flair. Allows for creative expression and professional-looking finishes.
• Our top picks: 74 PCs Icing Piping Bags and Tips Set and 12PCS Large Piping Tips Set
• Important tips: Practice consistent pressure when piping to achieve uniform shapes and sizes. Also, keep the pastry bag twisted at the top to prevent any filling from leaking out while piping.

 

6. Stand Mixer

• Why Recommend: Offers power and efficiency for mixing heavy doughs and batters with ease. Saves time and effort, especially for frequent bakers or large batches.
• Our top picks: For beginner Aucma Stand Mixer or the high-end version KitchenAid Artisan Series 
• Important tips: Use the paddle attachment for creaming butter and sugar, the whisk attachment for whipping cream or egg whites, and the dough hook for kneading dough. Adjust the speed according to the recipe for optimal results.

 

7. Round, Square Cake Pans and Other Pans

• Why Recommend: Essential for baking cakes of different shapes and sizes. Allows for versatility in baking various types of cakes, from layer cakes to sheet cakes. Every baker should have at least one these: 8-inch round baking pan, 9-inch round baking pan, 8-inch springform pan, 9-inch springform pan, 8-inch square baking pan, 9-inch square baking pan. If you like tall cakes with several layers, then you should have 2-3 of each pan.
• Our top picks: 8-inch round cake pan, 9-inch round baking pan, 8-inch springform pan, 9-inch springform pan, 8-inch square baking pan, 9-inch square baking pan, Muffin pan, loaf pan
• Important tips: Grease and flour cake pans thoroughly, paying extra attention to the corners of square pans to ensure easy release. Allow cakes to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

8. Cooling Rack

• Why Recommend: Facilitates even cooling of baked goods and prevents sogginess. Ensures proper airflow around baked items, preventing condensation and maintaining texture.
• Our top pick: cooling rack 
• Important tips: Allow baked goods to cool completely on a rack to prevent sogginess. For items like cookies, transfer them to a cooling rack as soon as they are firm enough to handle to prevent them from overcooking on the hot baking sheet.

 

9. Baking Thermometer

• Why Recommend: Ensures accurate baking temperatures for perfect results. Prevents undercooked or overcooked baked goods by monitoring internal temperatures.
• Our top pick: ThermoPro TP03 Digital or Rubbermaid Commercial or No Touch Thermometers
• Important tips: When making sweets like custards, caramel, or fudge, use a thermometer to accurately monitor the temperature during cooking. This ensures that your sweets reach the precise temperature required for the desired texture and consistency, whether it's the soft ball stage for fudge or the firm stage for caramel.

 

10. Cake Turntable or Cake Stand

• Why Recommend: Facilitates easy frosting and decorating of cakes from all angles. Allows for smooth and precise application of frosting, ensuring professional-looking results.
• Our top pick: 12 Inch Rotating Cake Turntable
• Important tips: Use a turntable or stand to easily rotate cakes for smooth and even frosting. Start with a crumb coat to seal in any loose crumbs before applying the final layer of frosting for a professional-looking finish.

Now that you have all the required baking tools to bake desserts, cakes, and cookies, you can try one of my many recipes: cake recipes, cookie recipes, or dessert recipes.