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When you’re first starting out with baking, it can be so overwhelming to try to find easy recipes, figure out what tools to buy, learn how to measure things, etc. If this is you, then you’re in the perfect place! You don’t need anything super fancy or expensive when you’re just starting out. In this post I’m going to share with you my top baking essentials for beginners. A lot of these tools are specifically for building good habits as a baker. Learning to use all these tools when you’re first starting out is going to set you up for success in the future. For legal purposes, these pictures aren’t the exact tools I use, but I’ve linked all my tools in the titles of each section so you can find them there! 🙂
Food Scale
This is my number one recommendation to ANY baker. It is truly what separates an amateur from a professional baker. I know using a scale sounds scary, but honestly it’s so much easier and wayyyy more accurate than measuring cups can be. In one of my baking classes we did an experiment where we measured flour in three different ways – using a food scale, scooping from the flour bag with a measuring cup, and using the spoon and level technique (spooning flour into a measuring cup and leveling it off with the back of a knife). Each measurement gave us a different result. When measured by scooping with a measuring cup, the flour was off by about 15-20g. Using a scale is the only way to ensure you’re getting the perfect amount of each ingredient.
Do it for future you!!
When you get better at baking and want to make more advanced things like puff pastry, eclairs , or macarons you’ll realize it’s almost impossible without weighing your ingredients. The more advanced you get, the more specific the recipes get! Owning and knowing how to properly use a food scale will help you tremendously in the long run! I bought this one on amazon for only about $15. It’s nothing fancy at all, but it works!
Measuring Spoons
Of course! Though you’ll weigh out most ingredients, you will still have to use tablespoons and teaspoons a lot of the time. Things like salt, vanilla, and spices can always be measured with spoons because it won’t make a huge difference if it is off by a little bit. You can find measuring spoons almost anywhere. Mine are the ones you see above and they’ve lasted me about 8 years so far! You can also find them at places like Home Goods, Walmart, or Cookware stores.
Metal Whisk
Metal whisks come in handy for so many things! I prefer the metal ones because the plastic ones are a bit more flimsy and don’t last as long. Whisks are great for mixing batters (like muffins, cakes, and brownies) mostly, but have many other uses. Whisks can be used to break up large chunks of brown sugar, baking powder, flour, etc. They can also be used to beat eggs to ensure that you don’t end up with any large chunks of eggs in your finished product.
Straight Rolling Pin
This rolling pin is hands down the best rolling pin I’ve ever used! I used to swear by the ones with handles, but once I started baking harder recipes that require strategic rolling I realized how much more convenient a straight rolling pin is. Rolling pins are essential for things like cinnamon rolls, bread, pastry, and more. Plus, if you make super flaky scones, you’ll need a rolling pin.
Glass Mixing Bowls
You can use pretty much any large bowl to mix ingredients in, but these Pyrex bowls are my favorite because they come with lids! This is perfect for when you need to chill cookie dough or bread dough. Buying glass bowls is always my preference because you can use them as a double boiler as well. You’ll need this when making things like chocolate ganache (like in my Bailey’s Irish Cream Brownies!) or when making lemon curd. Investing in glass bowls now will save you money in the future.
I hope this post helped you realize that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get started with baking. These baking essentials for beginners are all you need for now! Baking can be overwhelming at first, but stick with it. You’ll get the hang of it. If you’re looking for a great beginner recipe, check out my Maple Pecan Scones. Happy baking! 🙂
