Baking Essentials for Beginners: Tools to Kickstart Your Journey

BAKING

10/9/20253 min read

Kitchen with bowls and mixer.
Kitchen with bowls and mixer.

Getting Started with Baking

Baking is an art that can beckon both novice and seasoned chefs alike. If you're passionate about stepping into this delightful world but feel unsure about where to begin, don’t worry! Everyone starts from scratch, and even small steps can lead you to delectable outcomes. Today, I’m going to share some essential tools that have improved my baking adventures.

Must-Have Baking Tools

Equip your kitchen with a few basic tools that will empower you to take on any recipe with confidence. First, invest in a reliable set of measuring cups and spoons. Precision is key in baking, and having the right measurements can mean the difference between a fluffy cake and a dense brick! I highly recommend when baking to use a kitchen scale as flour and other ingredients can vary when only using measuring cups or spoons.

Next up, a good quality mixing bowl is essential. I recommend one that’s sturdy and comes with a non-slip bottom to keep things steady as you mix. Don’t forget a dough scraper and bench scraper; it’s perfect for scraping batter from the sides of bowls and ensures you leave no delicious goo behind!

Essential Baking Equipment

Moving beyond the basics, let’s talk about baking pans. You’ll want to start with a few different sizes, like a 9x5 loaf pan, a jelly roll baking pan, and a dutch oven for good measure. I bake my breads in either loaf pans or my dutch ovens. I love the control in moisture that the dutch ovens allow for.

Baking Essentials I recommend,

  • Mixer (Amazon link) I truly enjoy my kitchen aid, but if I ever get the chance I'd love a Bosch!

  • Dough hook attachment - I like this one for dough (Amazon link)

  • Loaf Pan (Amazon link)

  • Dutch Oven (Amazon link)

  • Jelly Roll Pan with lid (Amazon link) trust me, you'll appreciate the lid around the holidays!

  • Parchment paper sheets (Amazon link) (yes you can use a roll and cut what you need, but I have LOVED these pre-cut sheets for easy baking)

  • Sourdough Starter jar (Amazon link) This one is awesome! Other great options are Weck jars.

Another invaluable tool is a whisk. Whether you’re whipping egg whites or combining wet ingredients, a good whisk will make your life much easier. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever baked without one!

Don’t Fear the Process!

If you let the fear of failure hold you back, you’ll miss out on the joy that baking can bring. Remember, every great baker has faced their share of mishaps. The key is to embrace the learning process and continue trying even when things don’t go as planned. With just a few essential tools and a positive mindset, you'll be well on your way to creating sweet masterpieces!

So, are you ready to step into baking? Remember, it’s all about enjoying the journey, and with these basics in your corner, you’ve got everything you need to get started. Happy baking!

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Explore these to get started!

Kitchenaid Mixer 4.5qt

I love my KitchenAid! It can handle bread dough, cookie dough, and even mashed potatoes so well.

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BAKING ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS

Dutch Oven (6qt)

I'd recommend the 6qt for your bread loaves. Also wonderful for soups!

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Measuring Cups and Spoons

I have linked here a magnetic set which are wonderful in the kitchen!

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