If you’re new to baking, have just moved out, or want to save money by making your own snacks, you’ll need some supplies! Here’s a list of baking essentials for new bakers.
There’s nothing quite as delicious as freshly-based muffins out of your own oven! If you haven’t baked much before, it’s honestly so much easier and faster than you think to bake your own cakes, cookies, muffins and more.
Here is my list of baking essentials for new bakers.
Bowl
A good, sturdy mixing bowl is an essential kitchen item you’ll use for many years to come. It’s worth investing in a solid one as it’s so much easier to mix in a heavier bowl than a light plastic one.
spatula
Perfect for mixing, shaping and scooping, a spatula is a must-have when you’re baking cakes, muffins or cookies. I prefer one made of silicone because it won’t scratch my bowl or pans.
measuring cups and spoons
Measuring cups with a spout tend to make far less mess than those without, especially for liquid ingredients. Buying good quality measuring cups and spoons will ensure the measurement markings don’t wear off and you’ll get a lot of years of use out of them.
rolling pin
Some cookie recipes require a rolling pin and you’ll find it handy for making pizza dough, scrolls and other baked treats.
baking trays and pans
To make cookies, you’ll need a large flat baking tray and for muffins, I recommend a 12-hole muffin pan (most recipes use this type) unless you specifically want to make mini muffins or jumbo muffins.
If you’re making a cake, you can get any number of pan shapes and sizes but the basics are a round cake pan, square cake pan and a loaf pan. I always use silicone pans – they make baking so much easier than trying to scrape your precious baking out of a tin pan. Muffins especially are a breeze – just pop them out!
recipe book
I still love a hardcopy recipe book. I find it easier to refer to than a screen. If you like my baking recipes, you can find them compiled together in my Lunchbox Recipe book.
Kat’s tip: Start by just buying what you need for one recipe and build your bakeware collection as you go.
cooling rack
When your baked goodies come out of the oven, they need air to circulate under them while they cool so they don’t go soggy. Add a wire cooling rack to your baking cupboard so you can quickly do the transfer.
mixer
I love my Kitchenaid but if you’re a new baker, start out with an affordable electric hand mixer. They are easy to plug in and when you’re done, just pop the beaters in the dishwasher.
Ingredients
Every recipe is different, but if you’re wanting to buy the basics, here is a starter list of the most common ingredients in cookies, cakes and muffins –
- Plain flour
- Self-raising flour
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Bicarb soda
- Milk
- Butter
- Vanilla essence
- Eggs
- Cocoa
- Honey
- Oats
- Desiccated coconut
