Have you been inspired to start baking but don’t know where to start? Whether you’re looking to equip your own kitchen or are looking for baking gifts, my guide to Essential Equipment for a New Baker is a great place to start.
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Those of us that grew up in households where cooking and baking was a natural part of everyday life sometimes forget that not everybody was that lucky. But baking is a brilliant hobby and huge numbers of people are making a start on their baking journey everyday.
One of the hardest parts of starting out is knowing what equipment to invest in. I’ve put together this guide to show you some of the most basic equipment that will start you on the road to being a Star Baker. There is nothing fancy, nothing “out there” and everything I’ve linked to is reasonably priced.
I hope that you find this guide useful whether you’re looking to stock your own kitchen or buy some gifts for a budding baker in your life.
Mixing Bowl
A good sized and solid mixing bowl is a great place to start with baking. Whether thats whipping up a cake, beating egg whites or mixing a pie filling, a bowl is the first thing you need.
It doesn’t matter if you have a classic Mason Cash bowl like this or cheap plastic bowls, they will all so the same job. But the Mason Cash ones do add an extra something to a baker’s kitchen!
Now make this:
Dense Chocolate Muscovado Cake
Silicone Spatulas & Utensils
A wooden spoon might be traditional but a good silicone spatula is my go-to implement in the kitchen. I use them for every type of cooking and baking.
They won’t scratch nonstick surfaces, they’re easy to clean and best of all, they scrape food/batter off surfaces like nothing else. There is no wasting of ingredients when using a good silicone spatula.
A good set of silicone utensils will not only look great in the kitchen but cover almost all bases in the kitchen. This set includes a silicone pastry brush and whisk as well as a palette knife and spatula.
Now make this:
Chinese Steamed Cake (Ma Lai Gao)
Electric Scales
Electric weighing scales are possibly the most essential piece of baking equipment. You can of course bake using cup measures but that way is so inaccurate, I wouldn’t generally recommend it.
I find that a flat scale which you can use any bowl on is preferable. You should also look for one that is deep rather than wide or the bowl has a habit of hiding the screen and making life rather difficult. This is the set that I have and use with zero complaints.
Now make this:
Cocoa Orange Date Bars – Nakd Copycat (Vegan & Gluten Free)
Measuring Spoons
Alongside a good set of scales, a good set of measuring spoons is essential for any baker. Multiple sets are ideal but at least one will do!
Look for spoons with sharp edges for greater accuracy and at least five different sizes.
Now make this:
Peach Compote with Ginger & Bourbon
Cake Tins
Most new bakers start out by making simple sandwich cakes. I certainly did.
A set of two medium sized cake tins is therefore the best place to start. You can look to expand the collection with various sizes, spring-form tins and loaf tins as time goes on.
Now make this:
Victoria Sandwich Cake with Buttercream
Cake Storage Tins
You’ve baked up a storm and now you need somewhere to store all that baked goodness. A nesting set of cake tins in a good answer to the problem.
They are easy to store, never go out of fashion and provide a copious storage solution for cakes, biscuits and slices.
Now make this:
Russian Slice
Measuring Jug
I know that I’ve already recommended investing in two other ways of measuring ingredients but a jug to measure liquids is also essential.
A good jug will pull double duty. As well as measuring those liquids, you can also use it for accurate pouring of loose batters like pancakes.
Now make this:
How to Make Pancakes
12 Hole Muffin Tin
After sandwich cakes, next on the list for new bakers are cupcakes and mini cakes. A 12 hole muffin tin has a myriad of uses and will always be a valuable addition to a kitchen.
A muffin tin is my preference to a smaller bun tin which barely holds any batter.
Now make this:
Proper Yorkshire Puddings
Nigella Lawson’s How to Be Domestic Goddess
Whilst obviously you are already in the best place to find awesome baking recipes, you can never have enough cookbooks.
This book is my baking bible. It is full of classic recipes which are the basis of nearly all of my baking. I literally cannot recommend it enough.
Now make this:
Homemade Sesame Bagels
Are there any other essentials that you think I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments!
Want More Ideas?
Check out my Baking Shop which is park of my wider Shop section. I’ve added loads of links to products which I recommend or use myself. There is everything from cookbooks to mixing bowls and pots & pans.
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