You might not bake a lot, but every once in awhile we’re all bitten by the baking bug. And when the urge to bake something takes over, be ready to indulge. Whether it’s a warm apple pie or a decadent chocolate cake, having the right tools and ingredients on hand makes all the difference.

 

MUFFIN PAN  - even if you’re not into making muffins, these are great for making little quiches or pies. Pour in your favorite cake batter and make individual cakes.

 

TART PAN - fluted edges and a removable bottom make this pan a keeper. 

 

SPRINGFORM PAN - who doesn’t love a good cheesecake? It’s one of the easiest cakes to make, and a springform pan makes it super easy to remove. Great for any other type of cake too!

 

LOAF PAN - pound cake and bread both make this pan useful. So does meatloaf!

 

PARCHMENT PAPER - line your pans with parchment and your baked goods won’t stick. And that makes clean up a breeze.

 

MEASURING SPOONS - these are listed in Kitchen Essentials, but for baking they are a MUST.  Deep ones that are easy to level off are best.

 

MEASURING CUPS - also part of Kitchen Essentials.  Remember that liquid measure and dry measure are different, so you should have both. 

 

SCALE - weighing ingredients is the only way to be absolutely accurate. A little too much flour or even a little less than the required amount can make a huge difference in baking. A digital scale is easiest to use.

 

SHEET PAN - I have several of these and use them for EVERYTHING, from cookies to bread to vegetables to pieces of chicken. Indispensable.

 

ROLLING PIN - make sure you’re comfortable with the size and weight. The American style has ball bearings and 2 handles. The French style is a baton with tapered ends. Try out both to see which you like better.

 

BENCH SCRAPER - great for scraping up dough that sticks to the counter, scooping up cut vegetables and herbs or cutting up pieces of dough.

 

COOLING RACK - whether it’s cookies or a cake, you’ll want to cool your baked goods on a rack so air can circulate under the pan as well as around it. 

 

MIXER - if you don’t want to invest in a big one, or don’t have the space, get an electric hand mixer. For those times that good old fashioned elbow grease just won’t cut it.