14 Essential Baking Tools Every Baker Needs

If you are interested in baking, there are essential baking tools every baker needs. When Melissa, first started taking baking seriously, she did not have most of the baking tools that are required and just did things by feel and went with the flow.   

At first, we thought this would be just fine until she came across a few baking problems.  

After doing some research we realized that her old hand mixer was outdated and wasn’t an industry standard, Melissa needed a stand mixer that was equipped with a powerful motor. That will allow her to mix more effectively when creaming butter and sugar together or folding dry ingredients.   

Instead of using the same old outdated mixer, I ended up going to Macy’s and purchasing her a 5-quart KitchenAid Artisan and pretty much every tool that I could get my hands on in the home and kitchen department. I spent well over $500 for everything I picked up but I knew this was an investment that will pay off in the long run, and I was right.  

Now, more than a decade later, the stand mixer is still Melissa’s best friend in the kitchen and her profitable home-based baking business continues to blossom.  

The tools that I recommend for baking are a digital scale, measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, sheet pan, wire whisk, stand mixer, Round Cake Pans, cutters & presses, pastry brush, offset spatula, silicone spatula, cake board, cake stand, piping bag, piping tips. Those are the tools that we use and are extremely helpful when baking.   

14 Essential Baking Tools Every Baker Needs  

1. Digital Scale  

Every serious baker uses a scale because precision is essential, any mistake can produce dramatically different results. This might be one of the most important items on this list.    

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2. Measuring Cups and Spoons  

When baking you want to make sure you’re using measuring cups and spoons, especially if you’re baking in high-demand volume measurements. When you think of a scale you think of weight, and measuring cups measure by volume. Measuring cups are a must-have tool in your kitchen.  

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3. Mixing Bowls  

Mixing bowls are nearly as essential as a digital scale, measuring cups, and pots and pans. You simply couldn’t do without them in your kitchen. We mostly use stainless mixing bowls which need to be deep enough but also wide enough for easy whisking. Mixing bowls may not be sexy or buzz-worthy but no baker can function without them.   

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4. Sheet Pan  

There are two types of sheet pans, cookie sheets, and baking pans, but the key is to use the best plan suited for what you are making. Baking pans have a rolled edge, and cookie sheets have none.  Most home ovens can accommodate but sheet pans are huge so measure your oven first before buying.    

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5. Wire Whisk  

Most of us know a whisk for tangling with our utensils in the utensil drawer but a whisk can also help you with sifting flour or making whipped cream. There are several types of wire whisks for different tasks but you might be more familiar with a French and a Balloon Whisk. They can do just about anything you need to whip up. Wire whisks are most useful for hot and cold instead of using silicone or wooden.  

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6. Stand Mixer  

A stand mixer was a game-changer for Melissa and took her baking to a whole new level. A stand mixer allows you to mix, whip, and blend for a long period vs a hand mixer can cause fatigue. Both are valuable in the kitchen but you’ll enjoy the extra power and functionality of a stand mixer. When it comes to a stand mixer, we recommend KitchenAid as it’s very reliable and much nicer to use than a hand mixer.   

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7. Round Cake Pans  

Using a round cake pan can shape the batter and help it rise and distribute the heat evenly. A great round cake pan is the difference between a beautiful baked and one that’s sunken or discolored. When purchasing a cake pan make sure you choose one that is sturdy, can handle the heat, and is not any old pan from your local grocery store.   

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8. Cake Cutters & Presses

Cutters & Presses are used to cut or press out different shapes from fondant or simple dough to make amazing designs. Cutters and presses are more commonly used around the holiday season. They’re fun and very easy to use.  

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9. Pastry Brush  

Pastry brush serves a multitude of purposes but for baking, it’s useful for coating the tops of pastries. Silicone bristles pastry brushes are the better option when it comes to being bacteria resistant.  

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10. Offset Spatula  

I watched Melissa use an offset spatula for years and didn’t understand why an ordinary Knife wasn’t good enough until now. Offset Spatula makes frosting a cake or cupcake much easier than using an ordinary kitchen knife. The handle is polypropylene, which makes it more comfortable to hold in your hand, also the blade is taper-ground for flexibility and better control. Once you used one you will never go back to a kitchen knife.   

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11. Silicone Spatula  

A silicone spatula is very useful for batter folding and to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom. They are also heat-proof. A great tool to have in your essential baking tools.  

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12. Cake Board  

Cake board helps to withstand the weight of your cake and provides space around the cake to complete your design. They can also enhance your design. Cake boards can be wood, Styrofoam, plastic, foam core, and corrugated cardboard.   

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13. Cake Stand  

After you designed a beautiful cake you want to nicely display your creation with style using a cake stand. There are many cakes stand on the market so you have to find one that works well for your baking.  

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14. Piping Bag and Tips  

Pipping bags and tips are a must-have tool if you plan on making special occasion cakes or cupcakes. They’re also included in the cake decorating tools such as the Wilton Cake Student Decorating Kit which I used for my Wilton course at Michaels. I learned so much from Wilton decorating books from hand positions, which tips to use for different techniques, and how to fill a piping bag the correct way.   

• Wilton® How to Pipe Simple Icing Flowers Kit  
• Wilton® How to Decorate Cakes & Desserts Kit  
• Wilton® How to Decorate with Fondant Shapes & Cut-Outs Kit  

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Happy Caking!!