12 Baking Utensil Essentials for Experts-in-the-making Bakers in the Kitchen

Made up your mind about baking and don’t know where to start? Follow our list to invest in these utensils that are a must-buy if you are seriously considering baking for the long term

If you are new to baking and moving past the ingredient list to the instructions makes you sweat, this is for you. Baking without the utensils at your fingertips is a nightmare, especially when you are sitting with the batter in a mixing bowl, only to realize there are different kinds of paper needed exclusively for baking, and different utensils used to yield different shapes and quantities.

To avoid the last-minute stress and giving up mid-way on your baking journey, we suggest you stock up on these baking utensils that are a staple in most baking recipes across the board. Consider your kitchen space and the storage you have before going on a shopping spree for these.

1. Mixing Bowls

Leave the one-bowl finesse to the experts, while you get more comfortable baking and find your balance in the kitchen. As for the material, plastic mixing bowls are absolutely fine to buy, but metal bowls are the best. They can act as a boiler—think melting chocolate, and you won’t need a separate utensil to do so. Buying a set of varying sizes is a good idea for those recipes that require more paraphernalia.

2. Metal Whisk

Metal whisks are essential for baking as they help incorporate air into batters, and help blend wet and dry ingredients smoothly. Its wires allow mixing thick batters efficiently and thoroughly, incorporating air to lighten textures.

3. Rubber Spatulas

These are essential for baking as they help scrape mixing bowls cleanly to ensure no batter is wasted. Their flexible edge reaches into corners and the best part is that they are heat resistant, making them perfect for mixing batters on the stovetop, or scraping every last bit from the mixing bowl. We recommend keeping them only for baking and not using them for cooking daily meals that might leave a residue over time.

4. Muffin Tins

Effortless muffins will be at your fingertips with this utensil, and they ensure muffins and cupcakes bake in the proper shape and don't spill over the sides during baking. Their individual cups make portioning batter and serving finished dishes neat and easy.

5. Measuring Cups

You will be okay with your regular table and tea spoons, but some recipes call for measuring cups that are particular about the exact quantity of dry ingredients and liquids poured precisely to guarantee results. Their standardized sizes simplify substitutions and ensure recipes can be replicated successfully.

6. Baking Trays

Brownies and certain cakes call for baking trays, as they provide an even surface for cookies, biscuits, or slices to bake through without burning on the bottom. These make serving and dividing your dessert into equal portions as well, and a great addition to your repertoire. Consider an aluminum or aluminum-steel combination if you really love your brownies. They will also be good for baking dessert bars and bread.

7. Ramekins

From serving sweet to savory items, such as dips, certain desserts heavily depend on ramekins like creme brulee. These little utensils are perfect for custards, puddings, or casseroles to bake evenly and they aid with even heating and easy portion control.

8. Ice Cream Scoops

Get these for those tricky recipes that call for creating shells or ask for a scoop of your favorite ice cream on your favorite dessert. Melon scoopers are also a good investment for the smaller scoops, say chocolate bomb shells that can’t be too big for they won’t fit or look good in coffee mugs.

9. Baking Paper

These prevent baked goods from sticking to pans and butter paper though easily available is not a substitute as it lacks the non-stick quality of baking paper. They can be reused multiple times and act as a non-stick surface for rolling out dough, making cleanup easier.

10. Pastry Bags and Tips

These are used for decorating cakes and pastries and allow precise piping of frostings and fillings. Tips come in various sizes and shapes for different effects. It’s an easy tool for professional-looking presentations.

11. Sieve

The tea-stained channi or pasta colander are absolute no-nos as a baking utensil essential. They should be kept separate and used only for baking because they sift dry ingredients like flour, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. It removes lumps ensuring smooth batters and doughs and aerates ingredients for lighter textures.

12. Springform Cake Pan

This is the perfect utensil for a cake to be baked in, especially in circular shapes. They are the golden standard for layered cakes and their higher sides—higher than square baking pans—are for cakes that rise above the rim while baking. The best part is that the sides are detachable, and you won’t even need to worry about extracting the cake from the pan.