What do I need to get started in baking? If you are a novice baker you may have asked that question. The market is overflowing with tools, gadgets, and clever accessories for baking. Some of these are helpful, and others are worse than useless, but in the end all you really need are a few simple things to start baking.
Here is exactly what you need to bake a cake, cookies, or a loaf of quick bread from scratch. This is the prep list; we'll cover pans and other accessories throughout the week.
First up, measuring spoons...
1. Measuring spoons - Measuring spoons are for the small quantities: cinnamon, baking powder, salt. We prefer stainless steel spoons. They hold up longer. Look for spoons with clear markings; you don't want to spend a minute or two puzzling over whether this is a teaspoon or 1/2 teaspoon.
These RSVP Spice Measuring Spoons ($10.95, Amazon) have the advantage of narrow bowls so they can easily fit into small spice bottles.
2. Dry ingredient measuring cups - Dry ingredients should be measured using standard-sized cups. They usually come in 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 1 cup sizes. Look for measuring cups that have long handles and wide, shallow bodies that can be easily dipped into deep flour and sugar sacks and canisters.
These All-Clad measuring cups are expensive ($49.95, Cooks.com) but are sure to be heavy-duty and long-lasting. Also check out this Miu Stainless Steel Set ($25.99, Amazon).
3. Liquid measuring cup - Liquid measuring cups are calibrated for liquids as opposed to dry ingredients, and for accurate measuring it's important to use a separate cup for liquids.
This Pyrex 1-Quart Glass Measuring Cup ($4.99, Amazon) is a kitchen classic. Glass is better than plastic, we feel, since it stays clearer and doesn't scratch. This 1-quart size is also just right.
4. Three bowls - You need two or three mixing bowls: One very large one for big batches of cookies and general mixing, and a slightly smaller one for mixing dry ingredients when a recipe calls for mixing dry and wet separately. A smaller bowl is also handy for beating eggs, although a soup bowl will also do.
We like deep metal bowls and we really wish we had this set with lids: Revere 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set with Covers ($13.99, Amazon).
5. Spoon and fork - You need something to mix doughs and batters, and to beat eggs. While a whisk is ideal, a fork works just fine for beating eggs and thin batters. For spoons, a variety of long-handled (for leverage) wooden spoons are terrific. We find some of the bigger silicone-handled mixing spoons too unwieldy. Soup spoons are a little small for mixing dough, but they can also do in a pinch.
This Wooden Spoon Set is $2.32 at Amazon.
What are your baking prep essentials?
Great post! I'm just starting to build my kitchen supplies collection and this is really helpful. ;)
view Sofia E's profile
I'd have to add one good silicon spatula. I am constantly grabbing for mine.
view TowerGirl's profile
A digital thermometer and bench scraper are useful too.
view art's profile
Quick question on the measuring spoons -- i hate the look/durability of plastic, but have always shyed away from metal, because i'm afraid of the metal reacting with acids (ie. lemon juice). Thoughts?
view mh330's profile
mh330-
I've had two sets of metal measuring spoons for years (one set is pretty thin and the other is much sturdier). I routinely use them to measure things like lemon juice and have never noticed any type of reaction. I think if you get yourself a decent set, you'll be just fine.
view J's profile
when my mom gifted me with my kitchen aid standing mixer, she also threw in an extra bowl. it's been a great thing for the wet/dry thing (although i usually do the dry mix on waxed paper so i can easily pick it up and slide it into my wet ingredients) and also when you have to beat the egg whites separately before folding them into the main mixture. with limited storage, i use those two bowls for lots of things besides batter!
view abby's profile
mh300: you'll be fine as long as the spoons are stainless steel. aluminum is reactive, but on the other hand, it's highly unlikely that you'll have the ingredients in contact with the metal long enough to make a difference.
in any case, stainless steel would be fine.
i found a set of spoons and cups by progressive. it cost maybe $15-$20 and the quality is excellent: very heavy duty, but a fraction of the ridiculously overpriced all-clads.
view renata's profile
mh330, the lemon juice is in the meauring spoon for such a short amount of time that I can't imagine it being a problem. If you're still worried, though, you can just get two sets of spoons -one metal & one plastic. I keep multiple sets of measuring spoons for when I need to measure wet and dry ingredients.
view Nougat's profile
thanks for the posts, I'm trying to put together a good kitchen and i want quality stuff.
view Christibyte's profile
A rolling pin. A good one.
view Zora 's profile
I would add a liquid one-cup measure, too. Measuring a quarter-cup of liquid in the quart measure is not the best idea.
view Tomorrow Never Knows's profile
a rolling pin, a bunch of spatulas and a silpat.
view fizziwink's profile
A glass measuring cup is vital for measuring things like boiling water or for sticking in the microwave to melt butter. Plastic will crack and metal won't go in the microwave. I only have a 1 cup glass measure and find it's sufficient for almost everything. The quart size is probably overkill.
view angorian's profile
I recently bought a mini measuring cup. It goes from 1/2 TB to 1/4 cup. It is perfect for anything calling for more than one tablespoon; I am not sure how I got along without it!
view Eliza's profile