Baking is all about precision, which in a way makes it very democratic for home cooks. If you’re willing to make exact measurements and follow instructions to a T, there’s no reason you can’t expect a consistent outcome. There’s no taste-and-adjust when it comes to baking like there is in cooking. Once the cake, pie or batch of cookies goes into the oven, very little adjustment can be made at that point to affect the outcome.
That being said, anyone who has ever baked has probably relied upon some not-so-precise tools from time to time. I’ve personally rolled dough with a wine bottle, with some degree of success. And who among us hasn’t approximated a measurement here and there with an eating utensil or mug?
While those can possibly work for you in a pinch, it’s probably best to save the creativity for the decorating process. Because baking relies upon precision, the tools you use matter. Beyond the baking pans and ingredients themselves, here are 11 baking essentials that every kitchen should have, according to chefs who use them all of the time.
1. Oven thermometer
Precision in measurement is arguably the most important aspect of baking, but precision in temperature is typically regarded as a given. You set your oven temp, you get that oven temp, right? Well, not always. Not even brand new, state of the art equipment can always be relied upon for accuracy, depending on a multitude of variables in your kitchen.
As an apartment-dweller with a not-so-state-of-the-art appliance, I can report that my oven runs a full 50 degrees cooler than advertised. If you frequently experience, “Why didn’t this work?” frustration even after measuring your ingredients with the precision of a surgeon, a wonky oven temperature might be to blame. Fortunately, it’s a quick fix: a thermometer that lives inside your oven lets you know what’s going on in there so you can adjust accordingly.
2. Digital kitchen scale
Note the absence of any mention here of measuring cups or even spoons, the reason being, according to just about every chef we profiled, you really should be weighing your ingredients for baked recipes.
“Measuring by weight rather than volume makes baking far more accurate, ensuring consistent results every time,” says Dennis Littley, founder of Ask Chef Dennis. “Flour, in particular, is easy to mis-measure with cups, but a digital kitchen scale removes the guesswork and helps home bakers avoid dry cakes or dense pastries,” he says. “A digital scale with a tare function is ideal for quickly measuring multiple ingredients in the same bowl,” which even reduces the number of dishes there are to wash at the end of the process.
3. Stand mixer
Many recipes can be mixed by hand, but for nuance of speed and the ability to whip air into certain kinds of batters, more power is often needed. A stand mixer requires a bit of space (and budget), but if you’re an avid baker, it really is important.
“In practical terms, a stand mixer is an essential tool for anyone serious about their craft,” says Jean-Baptiste Scordel, executive pastry chef of The Group Hospitality. “If your budget allows for one, it can significantly improve consistency and efficiency, making your work smoother and more precise,” he says. “It also helps keep your workspace cleaner. Once you’re familiar with how to use it, a stand mixer can elevate your skills and take your creations to the next level.”
4. Hand mixer
That being said, if your budget or pantry doesn’t allow for a large countertop appliance like a stand mixer, a hand mixer can provide the power you need for big jobs, and may even be more appropriate for smaller ones as well.
“For smaller jobs, like making whipped cream, or for portability, a hand mixer is so convenient,” says Lynne Just, chef and consumer test kitchen manager at Hamilton Beach, who admits to taking it on vacation with her. “It can perform most of the same tasks as a stand mixer, and also solves storage issues as it only requires a small space in a cabinet.”
5. Silicone spatula
“One of the most simple, versatile, and in my opinion, best baking tools is a silicone spatula,” says Katherine Sprung, pastry chef and founder of Squish Marshmallows.
While a simple spatula can’t measure or mix for you, its function is precise, with a multitude of uses. “There are very few things that you won’t need this for,” says Sprung, “from scraping down bowls with cookie and cake batter, and cleanly portioning and pouring out ingredients like whipped cream and frostings. Plus it’s safe to use to stir anything on the stovetop like curds, jams, and pastry creams.” The only downside here is that a silicone spatula leaves less batter behind for licking the bowl. (Or maybe that’s an upside?)
6. Bench scraper
Another tool used in the moving and portioning of doughs is a bench scraper, which can be made of a pliable material such as silicone or a rigid one like metal.
“A bench scraper is another must-have,” says Princess Pitts Pierre, chef and founder of Love Her Stuff. “It’s perfect for handling dough, cutting pastry, and scraping up flour from countertops. It also makes cleanup easier by gathering crumbs and scraps in one swipe. Whether you’re shaping bread or portioning cookie dough, a bench scraper is a simple tool that does a lot.”
7. Fine mesh sieve or sifter
Jenny DeRemer, chef and founder of Not Entirely Average, says that although it might not look like much, a fine mesh sieve is something she can’t work without.
“I was not always a baker but became a darn near expert when I began using tools that made all the difference,” she adds.
A sieve or sifter is a tempting tool to skip when it comes to baking recipes, but is one that aids in the precision required for certain preparations, and shouldn’t be overlooked. “The sieve helps to aerate flour by itself, or to sift together multiple dry ingredients to avoid clumping.”
8. Rolling pin
While the wine bottle trick might get the job done in a pinch, the correct tool for rolling dough can get the job done better.
”For bakers who love making pastries, a rolling pin with thickness rings can make all the difference,” says Littley. “These adjustable rings let you roll out dough evenly to a precise thickness, which is crucial for things like cookies, pie crusts, or puff pastry.”
Recipes that require rolling almost invariably rely on even thickness, so you don’t end up with burnt or undercooked spots in your creation.
9. Silicone baking mat
A silicone baking mat is less about precision, but more about avoiding frustration and it also helps preserve the integrity of your baking pans. Or, if you are clinging to some heirloom baking pans in questionable condition, it can help give them some integrity to begin with.
“A silicone baking mat replaces parchment paper and provides a nonstick surface for cookies and pastries,” says Pierre, and it can also be used for some roasted savory preparations.
“It promotes even baking, prevents sticking, and is reusable, making it a more sustainable choice,” she adds. “It also helps keep baking sheets cleaner, cutting down on washing time.”
10. Offset spatula
If only there was a tool that allowed a person to apply frosting to a cake surface without the awkward angles of using a butter knife. Enter an offset spatula.
“A quality offset spatula is one of those tools that seems small but makes a huge difference,” says Littley. “Whether you’re spreading frosting, smoothing batter or lifting delicate cookies off a baking sheet, an offset spatula gives you more control and precision than a regular knife or spoon.”
The tool features an L-shape form that makes physics your friend rather than your enemy.
11. Pastry brush
When you’ve gone to the trouble of precisely weighing your ingredients and hand-sifting your flour, the details at the endgame are what elevate your baked goods from unassuming to awe-inspiring.
“For those who love pastries, a pastry brush is a game-changer,” says Pierre. “It evenly coats dough with egg wash, butter, or glaze, giving baked goods a golden, professional-looking finish. A silicone version is easier to clean, but natural bristles provide better coverage for delicate pastries.”
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