From fledgling home bakers to professional pastry chefs, some baking essentials are a must-have all around. With the right 25 must-have tools and a little practice, everyone will be whisking their way to baking greatness.
I think this is a timely post, don’t you? After my discussion about baking yesterday and the holiday gift buying season underway, chatting about some baking essentials seems like a good idea! I also wanted to semi-continue my cooking tools series that I started in the summer (and totally failed on delivering again) with my top 15 kitchen prep tools. Plus, putting these kind of lists together is kind of fun! Everyone loves browsing gift guides and top product list posts, right? I know I do! So now that I like to include “baker” in my title, I’ve made a list of what I think are the 25 essentials for any level baker to have!
25 Must-Have Baking Essentials
1. Set of Mixing Bowls – You need a good set of mixing bowls. Enough said!
MY LATEST VIDEOS2. Set of Magnetic Measuring Spoons – I love that these are magnetic!
3. Set of Magnetic Measuring Cups – Same as the spoons, these cups stick together as well!
4. OXO Angled Liquid Measuring Cup – In baking, measuring liquid with the correct cup can either mean a success or a fail!
5. OXO Good Grips Whisk – You much whisk to mix! (Or if you’re lazy like me, I sometimes end up just using a fork 😉 )
6. OXO Good Grips Cookie Scoop – For accurate cookie measuring so you end up with equal size cookies! (Unlike me and my laziness…see above.)
7. Silicone Spatulas – These are great for smoothing out the tops of poured batters as well as getting every last bit of batter out of the mixing bowl!
8. Angled Icing Spatula – You want a pretty iced and smooth cake? Use the right tool!
9. Classic Wooden Rolling Pin – Roll that dough! Tip: if your dough is sticky, place it on a piece of parchment, cover with another piece, and then use the rolling pin!
10. Handheld Dough Blender & Pastry Cutter – If you don’t like to get you hands dirty, but you need to do some quick kneading, this little tool will be you friend! It doubles as an accurate pastry cutter too!
11. Digital Food Scale – I finally got a digital scale! Now for those recipes that call for grams or if I want to be super accurate with measurements (all flours weigh differently), I can do just that!
12. Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat – I got these last year and they are one of my favorite all-time kitchen tools! Baking cookies (or anything that sticks) has never been easier!
13. Parchment Paper – Same as the Silpat, you won’t have to worry about sticking here! Plus parchment is great for lining pans, the rolling pin method, etc.
14. KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer – Okay, I don’t personally have one (o how I want one!), but they are a baker’s essential. The possibilities (and don’t even get me started on stand mixer attachments!)
15. Set of Baking Sheets – The most essential pan you will ever have!
16. Wilton Non-Stick Doughnut Pan – I think this is self explanatory as well. Life will never be the same once you have a doughnut pan!
17. Wilton Muffin Pan – And muffins are a baking must as well! What would life be like without muffins? Standard size is best for most uses!
18. Pretty Paper Baking Cups – You can get usable silicone cups, but I like paper ones best! This was you can actually take them and give them! (Great stocking stuffer!)
19. Loaf Pan (both 8×4 & 9×5) – Obviously I think loaf pans are a must! I have both sizes and use them equally.
20. Springform Cake Pan – This is a recent edition to my kitchen and I love it! Simply unlock to take out the cake with no struggle!
21. Wilton 8 inch Square Cake Pan – I use this baking pan the most and not just for baking. Most people I’m sure already have one!
22. 9 inch Round Cake Pan – This pan is perfect for cakes, cornbread, really anything that you want round! The circular counterpart to the square pan above!
23. Wilton 9 inch Pie Pan – For those of you who do love baking traditional pies, a real pie pan is a must!
24. Set of Porcelain Ramekins – If you’ve learned one thing from reading my blog over the years, you’ll know that I love my ramekins!
25. Wire Cooling Racks – Finally, you need a safe place to allow those beautiful baking creation to cool and not get a soggy bottom! Plus they look pretty in pictures!
So tell me:
+ What is you #1 must-have baking essential?
+ Any new baking tools on your list this year? Possibly the KitchenAid…but they are pricey!
+ What “must-haves” or gift guides would you like to see next?
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Mary, Living a Sunshine Life says
You have similar taste in kitchen supplies as I do! I love KitchenAid and OXO! Two of my favorite brands!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Quality, right? 😉
Doug says
Silpats are my favorite! I got them for a gift and can’t believe how much I use them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I really have no idea how I went so long without them!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
So many great ideas! Love that Kitchen Aid stand mixer.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope to get one!
Linda says
Great list! Very comprehensive 🙂 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, thanks!
swayam says
Beautiful list !! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Tiffany says
Great list, Rebecca! I have a strange fascination with great mixing bowls and cupcake liners. :0)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, no shame 😉
Sherry says
I haven’t tried the slipit baking mat, but it’s on my radar. I love OXO products. I use a digital scale all of the time. I can’t live without parchment paper.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The silpat will change your life!
Erin says
I absolutely love my silpats and recommend them to everyone who will listen! 🙂 great list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha, you sound just like me 😉
kimberly says
What a great gift guide! I am Featuring you this week.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you! 🙂
Stephanie says
GREAT list- I am actually purchasing my first ever SILPAT today for a new cookie recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Your life is about to change 😉
Kati | Houseful of Handmade says
Great list! I’m laughing cause I have everything on this list. Another large item I would add is a food processor. I use it a lot in my baking (and lots of other cooking).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
My food processor is on my other list 😛
The only thing I don’t have here is the stand mixer!
Suzannah Kolbeck says
I got my Kitchen Aid stand mixer for $125 at a yard sale; they never used it, has all attachments and is bright and shiny red. I love it!! I also found pop-up, single-sheet parchment paper that is the BEST.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That is one KILLER deal! What a lucky girl!
masala girl says
i love my silicone sheet & muffin “pan”! a doughnut pan would be nice 🙂 i’d also say a blender or hand blender is really useful!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I have 4 blenders and I use none of them 😛 Hahaha! I love my food processor though! (And get a doughnut pan, stat!)
Rebecca says
Yes please I’d like all of it! I didn’t even know doughnut pans existed! My favourite baking tool is my big mason cash mixing bowl – and my food processor! x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I need a super huge mixing bowl. The biggest one I have is always just a bit too small for some recipes!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
This is a very comprehensive list. I need to buy me some new cupcake pans. Oh and I really like the magnetic measuring cups and spoons. Very cool idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I know! I loved the magnets!
Hil says
I love my Kitchen aid mixer too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That seems to be the consensus!
Karen Grosz says
I have to say that discovering Parchment Paper was probably my best find. It just makes clean up so easy. Wouldn’t go without it now. Thanks for the list.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Parchment is so good! I never used to use it and now it is more than a must in my house!
Jess @hellotofit says
YES!! I love all of my KitchenAid products, esp. the stand mixer and immersion blender. The silipat is a thing of beauty, isn’t it?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I could not live without my silpat!
Charlotte says
I NEED new non-stick tins! they are definitely an essential – i’ve also got digital scales on my list this year haha you read my mind!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Otherwise you end up with sad stuck on messes all to often!
Kayla says
Yes! Digital scales are a must!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They make you feel professional!
Katie says
Great post, I have all of these with the exception of the cookie scoop and the donut pan – although I have always wanted a handy dandy cookie scoop! I think the #1 essential took is a sturdy spatula for sure, can’t cook/bake without one! I received a red Kitchen Aid stand mixer for a big Christmas present one year and it does make life in general so much easier, highly recommended! Thanks for sharing this great list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ah, what do you use your stand mixer most for?
Katie says
Lots of things – whipped cream, making cookie and pizza dough, shredding chicken or meat, mashed potatoes, I love how I can just toss stuff in and have my hands free to do something else!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Alright, I think you 100% have me sold now!
Angela at Daysinbed says
I really need to invest in some new baking trays and wire racks ! There are some fab suggestions here! I like the look of the mixer.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Good pans are a must! And so is a mixer….maybe 😉
Amberjane says
I am hoping Santa brings me a red mixer 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You and me both!
Akaleistar says
Love the KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Same 😉
Suzan says
I NEED a donut pan ! This is a great list ( even if I have everything on it – some of those things need to be updated – I’m embarrassed by the condition of my cookie tins LOL !
Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
No shame 😉 Sometimes the older the better for those types of things!
And yes to the doughnut pan! I can’t recommend it enough!
Andrea B. says
Oh, no – I kind of want all of these things. Ehem.
ALL. OF. THEM.
I’m addicted to kitchen gadgets and whatnot. And now I’m going to read your other post, too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha! Me too! I love having EVERYTHING even if I don’t use it all the time 😛
Sara at Saving For Someday says
As much as one might think they don’t need a donut pan, they’re pretty awesome! I have two mini-donut pans and I use them much more frequently than I thought I would.
I just got a set of really nice ceramic knives and I may never go back to my other set (which are also really high quality).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I know right!? And they are so affordable! Pocket change for such a great pay out 😉
Haha, well I don’t consider knives baking at all 😛 But I do covet my one favorite chef’s knife I use for all my cooking!
Sara at Saving For Someday says
You need good knives to chop chocolate. And to make sure no one notices when you take a tiny slice off the brownies. Right?
Evi @ greenevi says
Great list, Rebecca!
I would really love to have a kitchen aid too, but I think I wouldn’t use it as often as I should, since I bake so rarely….still, I want everything here 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It seems like you WOULD use it…or already have one! Hahaha!
Lauren says
A donut pan is on my wish list! I’d love to be able to make donuts at home!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
And they’re so cheap! Can’t beat $7 of perfection!
Emily says
Oh man this is the perfect reminder of how unstacked my baking utensils are haha! I think a Target stop is in order. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahahaha 😉 I guess so!
Lindsey says
Looks like we have basically the same list of favorites! Although I haven’t tried these magnetic measure spoons… can’t wait to try them!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Kinda a genius idea 😉
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
I was doing really well until we got to the cooling racks. Surprisingly I don’t have any at my apartment, which is a realization that just hit me. I think I’m going to steal one of my mom’s to take back with me, they’re so great for pics too! And well my measuring spoons aren’t magnetic, so I have a bit of teaspoon envy over here. I could use that though, then I wouldn’t lose them since they all stick together 😀 And I know it’s not baking specific, but I’d still be lost without my blender for baking.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O dear, you can’t have soggy bottoms!!! And yea, I’m crushing on how they come out in pictures 🙂 The nice old tarnished ones too!
The magnetic would be so good for organization to…those down rings that come with most annoy me 😛
I don’t think I’ve ever used my blender to bake :O
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
I’m a fork and spoon stirrer as well lol! I have a Kitchen Aid and don’t use it often, I am not blending butter and sugar so dragging out my Kitchen Aid and having to clean it… yeah no way, I’ll use the fork!! I love silicon muffin liners and a ceramic baking sheet.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Confession…the REAL reason I want a stand mixer is so I can finally make marshmallows I can eat!
I have silicon ones to…and never used them 😛 They only seem good if you are going to eat all the goods yourself and right away! I love to freeze and giveaway 😛
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple says
Ok so I pretty much want EVERYTHING on this list. I have a few of the items.. but need most of them!! Passing on to family members in case Santa is looking for ideas 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Santa always needs ideas 😉
Trish says
Wonderful list and timely for me, since I want to get back into baking in 2016. Thanks for posting this list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well now you can be fully stocked!
Farrah says
So many baking goodies! <3 I love OXO! I also need ramekins in my life at some point, hehehe. :]!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Girl, ramekins are like…kitchen essentials…every day LIFE essentials!
Chelsey says
YES! I agree with ALL of these!!! The best! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The “bare” essentials, eh? 😉
Victoria says
Totally agree with the Silpats! We use them for everrrrything! Any time we make something in the oven, cookies or otherwise, we use one. Makes clean up so easy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I don’t know how I lived so long with out them!
Harriet Emily says
Love this list Rebecca! I am obsessed with my electric measuring scales – they’re the best. The battery died the other day and it has been horrible not being able to use it!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They are so great! So much accuracy for those finicky baking projects!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Mine is many years old. It’s the Professional 550 HD.
Linda @ Veganosity says
Fabulous list, Rebecca! The Kitchen Aid mixer and good baking pans are a must in any kitchen. Oh, and good knives. Very important. 🙂 Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That kitchenaid 😉 what model do you have?