You love spending time in the kitchen, especially when it comes to baking delicious treats. But have you ever wondered what tools professional bakers rely on to create their masterpiece confections? From perfectly shaped cakes to perfectly flaky pastries, we’ve got you covered with the top 5 baking tools recommended by professional bakers. These must-have tools will elevate your baking game and make your creations look and taste like they were made by a pro. Get ready to take your baking skills to the next level with these essential tools.
Mixing Tools
Stand Mixer
A stand mixer is a must-have tool for any serious baker. Its powerful motor and sturdy construction make it perfect for mixing thick dough and batter. The stand mixer comes with multiple attachments, such as a paddle, whisk, and dough hook, which allow you to tackle a wide range of recipes. With a stand mixer, you can effortlessly mix ingredients without straining your arm muscles, saving you time and energy in the kitchen.
Hand Mixer
If you don’t have the space or budget for a stand mixer, a hand mixer is a great alternative. It is smaller and more portable, making it ideal for small kitchens or for bakers who like to bake on the go. Despite its compact size, a hand mixer is still powerful and can handle most baking tasks, from beating eggs to whipping cream. It is also easier to clean compared to a stand mixer, as it doesn’t have multiple attachments.
Whisk
The humble whisk is a versatile tool that every baker should have in their kitchen. It is perfect for incorporating air into ingredients, such as whipping cream or beating eggs, to create light and fluffy textures. Whisks come in various sizes, but a medium-sized whisk is a good all-purpose option. Whether you’re making meringues or mixing batters, a whisk will be your go-to tool for creating the perfect consistency.
Spatula
A spatula is an essential tool for scraping ingredients out of bowls and folding delicate mixtures. It is a flexible and heat-resistant tool that ensures you get every last bit of batter or dough out of the bowl, reducing waste. A silicone spatula is ideal for working with sticky batters or scraping ingredients from the sides of the bowl. It is also gentle on non-stick surfaces, making it a versatile tool for all your baking needs.
Mixing Bowls
No baking arsenal is complete without a set of mixing bowls. They come in various sizes and materials, such as glass, stainless steel, or plastic. Glass mixing bowls are great because they are non-reactive and can be used for both mixing and serving. Stainless steel bowls are durable and can withstand heavy-duty mixing. Plastic bowls are lightweight and often come with airtight lids, making them perfect for storing leftover batter or dough. Having a set of mixing bowls in different sizes ensures that you have the right bowl for any recipe.
Measuring Tools
Digital Kitchen Scale
A digital kitchen scale is a baker’s best friend when it comes to precise measurements. Unlike measuring cups and spoons, which can vary in terms of accuracy, a scale provides consistent and accurate measurements. This is especially important when it comes to baking, where even a slight variation in ingredient quantities can greatly affect the outcome of your baked goods. With a digital kitchen scale, you can easily measure ingredients by weight, ensuring that your recipes turn out perfectly every time.
Measuring Cups
Measuring cups are a staple in every kitchen. They are used to measure both liquid and dry ingredients. When using measuring cups, it’s essential to ensure that you fill them correctly, especially when measuring dry ingredients. The correct method is to spoon the ingredient into the cup and level it off with a straight edge. Measuring cups are available in different materials, such as stainless steel, plastic, or glass. Choose a set that suits your needs and preferences.
Measuring Spoons
Just like measuring cups, measuring spoons are an essential tool for precise baking. Measuring spoons come in sets with various sizes, including 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon. They are used to measure small quantities of ingredients, such as spices, baking powder, or vanilla extract. When using measuring spoons, make sure to level off the ingredients with a straight edge for accurate measurements. Stainless steel measuring spoons are the most durable and are dishwasher-safe.
Baking Pans
Cake Pans
Cake pans come in different shapes and sizes, from round to square to heart-shaped. Choose a cake pan that suits the specific recipe you’re making. Whether you’re baking a layered cake or a single sheet cake, having a few different cake pans on hand will allow you to experiment with different designs and presentations. Non-stick cake pans are a good option to ensure your cakes come out easily without sticking to the pan.
Baking Sheets
Baking sheets, also known as cookie sheets or sheet pans, are versatile pans that are essential for baking cookies, biscuits, and sheet cakes. They have a flat and shallow design, making them perfect for baking goods that need to spread and brown evenly. Baking sheets come in different materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, and non-stick coating. Aluminum baking sheets are lightweight, while stainless steel sheets are more durable. Non-stick baking sheets make it easy to remove cookies and prevent sticking.
Loaf Pans
Loaf pans are used to bake bread, pound cakes, and meatloaf. They have a rectangular shape and are available in various sizes. A standard loaf pan measures about 9×5 inches, but smaller and larger sizes are also common. Non-stick loaf pans are recommended to ensure the easy release of your baked goods.
Muffin Tins
Muffin tins, also known as muffin pans or cupcake pans, are used to bake individual-sized portions of muffins, cupcakes, or even mini quiches. They are typically made of aluminum or non-stick coating to prevent sticking and facilitate easy removal of the baked goods. Muffin tins come in different sizes and have multiple cups, allowing you to bake multiple muffins or cupcakes in one batch.
Springform Pans
Springform pans are unique baking pans that have a removable bottom and sides held together by a latch. They are commonly used for making cheesecakes and delicate cakes, where removing the baked goods from a regular pan could be challenging. Springform pans allow you to release the sides of the pan, revealing a perfectly intact cake. They come in various sizes and are usually non-stick for easy removal.
Oven Thermometers
Probe Thermometer
A probe thermometer is a handy tool for ensuring the internal temperature of your baked goods is just right. You insert the probe into the center of the food, and it provides an accurate temperature reading. This is especially important for baking meat dishes like roast chicken or pork, ensuring they are cooked thoroughly and avoiding any risk of foodborne illness. Probe thermometers are easy to use and give you peace of mind when it comes to food safety.
Infrared Thermometer
An infrared thermometer is a non-contact thermometer that measures the surface temperature of an object. In baking, it can be used to check the temperature of your oven or to test the temperature of melted chocolate or sugar. It provides instant readings and eliminates the guesswork when it comes to temperature-sensitive recipes. With an infrared thermometer, you can achieve precise temperatures for perfect baking results.
Pastry Tools
Rolling Pin
A rolling pin is an essential tool for rolling out pastry dough, cookie dough, or pie crust. It allows you to flatten the dough evenly and achieve the desired thickness. Rolling pins come in various materials, including wood, marble, or stainless steel. Wooden rolling pins are a popular choice as they provide a good grip and are easy to maneuver. Marble rolling pins are heavier, which can make rolling out dough easier, while stainless steel rolling pins are sleek and easy to clean.
Pastry Brush
A pastry brush is a tool used for brushing liquids onto pastries, such as egg wash, melted butter, or glazes. It ensures a smooth and even distribution of the liquid, resulting in a beautiful golden-brown finish or a glossy shine. Pastry brushes have bristles made from either natural or synthetic materials. Natural bristle brushes are ideal for oil-based liquids, while silicone brushes are better for water-based liquids. Choose a brush that suits your specific needs and use it to add the finishing touches to your baked goods.
Pastry Cutter
A pastry cutter, also known as a pastry blender or dough blender, is a tool used to cut cold butter or shortening into dry ingredients, such as flour, when making pastries or pie crusts. It helps create a crumbly texture and distribute the fat evenly throughout the dough, resulting in a tender and flaky pastry. Pastry cutters have a handle and multiple curved blades or wires that cut through the butter or shortening. They are easy to use and make the process of incorporating fat into flour much quicker and easier.
Pastry Blender
A pastry blender is a versatile tool that can be used for various baking tasks. It is often used to mix dry ingredients, such as flour and sugar, or to blend butter into flour when making pie crusts or biscuits. It has multiple blades or wires connected to a handle that cuts through the ingredients, ensuring they are evenly combined. A pastry blender is also useful for mashing cooked potatoes or avocados. Its compact size makes it easy to store and clean.
Silicone Baking Mats
Non-stick Surface
Silicone baking mats are a game-changer when it comes to baking. They provide a non-stick surface that makes it easy to remove baked goods without the need for greasing or parchment paper. The non-stick surface also ensures that your cookies, pastries, or bread come out perfectly, with no sticking or burning. Silicone baking mats are a greener alternative to disposable parchment paper and can be reused many times.
Even Heat Distribution
One of the key benefits of silicone baking mats is their ability to distribute heat evenly. This ensures that your baked goods bake uniformly, with no hot spots or uneven browning. Whether you’re baking cookies or a cake, a silicone baking mat will help you achieve consistent and professional-looking results every time.
Reusable
Unlike parchment paper or aluminum foil, silicone baking mats are reusable and durable. They can withstand high temperatures and can be used over and over again without losing their effectiveness. Simply wash them with warm, soapy water or put them in the dishwasher after each use, and they will be ready for your next baking adventure. Investing in a few silicone baking mats will save you money in the long run and reduce waste in your kitchen.
Cooling Racks
Allows Air Circulation
Cooling racks are essential for properly cooling your freshly baked goods. They allow air to circulate underneath the baked goods, preventing them from becoming soggy or developing condensation. Whether you’re cooling cookies, cakes, or bread, placing them on a cooling rack ensures they cool down evenly and maintain their texture.
Prevents Sogginess
Without a cooling rack, your baked goods may become soggy as they sit in their residual heat on a solid surface. The steam released during the cooling process needs to escape to prevent moisture build-up. Cooling racks elevate the baked goods and allow the steam to dissipate, resulting in crispier cookies, fluffier cakes, and less sogginess overall.
Faster Cooling
Using a cooling rack speeds up the cooling process significantly. The elevated design allows for better air circulation, dissipating heat more efficiently. Faster cooling is especially useful when you need to frost or decorate your baked goods. With a cooling rack, you can ensure that your desserts are cool enough to handle and won’t melt or smear the frosting.
Bench Scraper
Clean Work Surface
A bench scraper, also known as a pastry scraper or dough scraper, is a versatile tool that helps keep your work surface clean and organized. It is typically a rectangular piece of metal or plastic with a straight edge and a handle. You can use a bench scraper to gather and scrape off excess flour, dough scraps, or ingredients from your countertop, making cleanup a breeze.
Cut and Divide Dough
A bench scraper is an essential tool when working with dough. Its sharp edge allows you to cut through dough and divide it into equal portions. Whether you’re making bread, pasta, or pastry, a bench scraper makes it easy to portion and shape your dough precisely. It is especially useful when working with sticky or soft dough that may be difficult to handle.
Scrape Off Excess Flour
When rolling out dough, it’s common to use flour to prevent sticking. However, excess flour can affect the texture of your baked goods. A bench scraper comes in handy for scraping off excess flour from the dough, ensuring that it doesn’t end up in your final product. It helps you achieve the right balance of flour while maintaining the desired consistency of your dough.
Piping Bags and Tips
Decorating Cakes and Cookies
If you love to add decorative touches to your baked goods, piping bags and tips are a must-have. They allow you to pipe frosting, buttercream, or royal icing in intricate designs, transforming plain desserts into stunning creations. Piping bags are usually made of cloth or disposable material, making cleanup a breeze. Coupled with a variety of tips in different shapes and sizes, you can unleash your creativity and create professional-looking decorations.
Creating Intricate Designs
Piping bags and tips open up a world of possibilities when it comes to creating intricate designs on your cakes or cookies. Whether it’s writing a personalized message or adding delicate flowers, lace patterns, or intricate borders, the right piping tip can make all the difference. With practice and experimentation, you can develop your own unique decorating style and impress your friends and family with your artistic creations.
Different Nozzle Shapes
Piping tips come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, each serving a different purpose. Some common nozzle shapes include round tips, star tips, petal tips, and leaf tips. Round tips are great for piping simple lines or dots, while star tips create beautiful rosettes or borders. Petal tips are ideal for creating realistic flower petals, and leaf tips can add a botanical touch to your designs. Having a range of piping tips in your kitchen will allow you to unleash your creativity and achieve professional-looking decorations.
Kitchen Torch
Caramelizing Sugar
A kitchen torch is a handy tool for caramelizing sugar to create a crisp and caramelized topping on desserts like crème brûlée or tarts. The torch generates a high-intensity flame that quickly melts and caramelizes the sugar, creating a golden-brown, brittle crust. It allows you to achieve that classic crunchy caramel layer that adds a delightful contrast to creamy desserts.
Browning Meringue
If you enjoy making meringue-topped pies or desserts, a kitchen torch is a game-changer. It allows you to brown the meringue quickly and evenly, giving it a beautiful toasted appearance. Using a kitchen torch ensures that the meringue topping doesn’t become too brown or burn in the oven, as it allows for precise control over the browning process.
Toasting Marshmallows
A kitchen torch is not only useful for baking, but it also adds a fun element to your culinary adventures. You can use a kitchen torch to toast marshmallows for s’mores or to add a golden finish to a meringue-topped dessert. It offers a quick and convenient way to achieve that delightful toasted flavor without the need for a campfire or an outdoor grill.
In conclusion, these top baking tools recommended by professional bakers will help elevate your baking skills to the next level. From stand mixers and hand mixers to measuring tools and baking pans, each tool serves a specific purpose in ensuring consistent and delicious baking results. Pastry tools like rolling pins and pastry brushes allow for precise techniques, while silicone baking mats and cooling racks improve the overall baking process. Piping bags and tips unleash your creativity, and a kitchen torch adds that final touch of perfection. Investing in these essential baking tools will not only enhance your baking experience but also impress your friends and family with your delicious creations. Happy baking!
