10 Kitchen Gadgets Every Baker Should Have
When it comes to baking, there are certain kitchen gadgets a baker just shouldn’t live without. Whether you’re new to baking or you have been baking for years, it’s important to keep your kitchen stocked with the necessary tools in order to make your baking life easier. By keeping these staple kitchen tools on hand, you will not only make baking more efficient for yourself, you will also turn out baked goods that look like they were done by a professional, and not to mention totally Instagram-worthy! To be sure you’ve got the right mixing, scooping, and baking gadgets on hand in your kitchen check out this list of 10 kitchen gadgets every baker should have!
1. Stand Mixer
You’ve likely seen one of these if you’ve ever watched a baking show. And once you have one of these kitchen gadgets on your own counter, you’ll understand why all of the Food Network chefs use them! A stand mixer is a must-have when it comes to the baking world. While hand-mixing is certainly okay when for some cookie dough and cake batter recipes, there are some things that just can’t be mixed without an electric standing mixer. From whipping egg whites into stiff peaks to mixing pizza dough with the dough hook attachment to churning butter for homemade buttercream frosting, a stand mixer is the only way to execute these steps effectively. Having one of these cute and colorful kitchen gadgets on your counter is a must!
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2. Cooling Rack
There’s nothing worse than winding up with soggy-bottomed baked-goods due to cooling your cookies the wrong way. While placing your freshly baked desserts on a paper bag or large plate as a way to cool them might be okay as a last resort, the lack of air circulation under them can result in a build-up of condensation leaving your muffins with soggy bottoms. Even cookies need to be cooled the right way in order for them to crisp-up correctly! A cooling rack is the perfect kitchen gadget to do the job! Be sure to pick out one that has a tight grid to prevent your baked-goods from falling through. Cooling racks also come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to bake as many or as few treats as you want! Next time you bake a batch of pumpkin muffins, skip the makeshift paper-bag cooling mat and opt for a cooling rack!
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3. Quality Measuring Tools
“Cooking is an art, baking is a science.” It is extremely important to have quality measuring tools in your kitchen when it comes to baking. Believe it or not, there is a difference between dry measuring cups and liquid measuring cups! While they measure the same amounts, a liquid measuring cup allows you to pour a liquid into it without spilling it. A dry measuring cup measures an exact amount of a dry ingredient and must be leveled off. It’s important to have both dry and liquid measuring cups and tools in your kitchen in order to allow for accurate measurements when mixing batters and dough. Another slightly surprising baking necessity is a scale. While America has never adopted the metric system of measurement, the rest of the world has. While converting measurement may be a process, a scale allows for a more accurate approach to measuring dry and liquid ingredients. Be sure you have these necessary measuring tools in your kitchen the next time you bake!
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4. Rolling Pin
No, a wine bottle will not do the same job a rolling pin does. One of the most under-rated kitchen gadgets out there is the rolling pin! There are two styles of rolling pins: rollers and rods. The roller types are generally thicker and have handles on each end. The rod types are thinner and simply taper off rather than have handles. A rolling pin allows you to flatten uniformly as well as with ease. Larger barrels will make the job easier as they require less revolutions. Smaller rolling pins, while easier to store, will require more rolling but also work better for thinner dough. No matter what type of rolling pin you go with, be sure to always have one of these staple kitchen gadgets on hand!
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5. Rubber Spatula
You probably already have one of these but it doesn’t hurt to add it to this list of kitchen gadgets just to be sure! A rubber spatula is great to have on hand for several reasons! Some common things you’ll find yourself in need of a rubber spatula for include scraping clean the bottom of bowls, transferring batter from a bowl to a pan, spreading and evening out batter, and scraping dough or batter off of utensils and stand mixer attachments. Another great element of rubber spatulas is that they won’t scratch the surfaces of pans, bowls, and dishes. Rubber spatulas are an all-around great gadget to have in your kitchen and will always have a place on this list!
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6. Parchment Paper
While this one may not be considered a “gadget,” it is still a super important element of every baker’s kitchen. Parchment paper and baking go hand in hand. Parchment paper is paper that is actually specially-treated to be used in the oven. The treatment it gets makes it grease- and moisture-resistant, meaning it won’t rip, break, or stick to anything you put on it. It’s also heat-resistant which is always a plus! It’s especially a must-have when it comes to baking cookies! Rather than cover the baking sheet in oil to prevent cookies from sticking to it, place a piece of parchment paper on the sheet and your cookies will slide off easily when it comes time to cool them. Parchment paper is also great for lining cake pans, brownie pans, baking food in, and covering surfaces with to prevent a mess. You should also note that unlike aluminum foil, parchment paper is the same on both sides so it’s double-sided! Kitchen gadget or not, this baking essential is a win!
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7. Sifter
You may think you can get by without one of these, but a sifter is definitely an important and necessary gadget to have in the kitchen! A sifter’s sole purpose is to sift, or sieve, dry ingredients. Sifting dry ingredients, such as flour, will break up any clumps as well as aerate them. Sifting will also create a much lighter consistency of the dry ingredient allowing for easier mixing and combining. While this kitchen tool has only one job, don’t skimp on it and be sure to make it a part of your kitchen toolbox!
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8. Ice-Cream Scoop
Talk about versatility! This kitchen gadget is definitely something every baker’s kitchen should carry. It may not seem like it, especially when considering the very specific name, but an ice-cream scoop can be used for so many things! The most obvious being for scooping ice-cream. Using it as a baking tool is when you get to be a little more creative! One of the best uses of an ice-cream scoop is for scooping batter and dough. By using a scoop you will not only have uniform cookies and cakes, but turning the cake batter and cookie dough out onto pans to be baked will come with ease as many ice-cream scoops have a release lever. Another great use for this gadget is for portioning homemade truffles. An ice-cream scoop will help shape the truffles into perfectly rounded treats! You won’t have to do any measuring or scraping yourself with one of these baking essentials!
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9. Muffin Pan
A muffin pan, sometimes known as a cupcake pan, is great for both muffins and cupcakes. It’s also great for a variety of other baking purposes! A muffin pan can help organize, shape, portion, and prep both sweet and savory treats. These pans are great for creating so many baked-good from mini-meatloaves to personal quiches to portioned bread bowls and everything in between! Muffin pans are an absolute must-have in every baker’s kitchen!
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10. Various Cake Pans
Last but certainly not least, every baker needs a variety of cake pans in their kitchen. Whether for a cake or for something else entirely, having a variety of sizes of cake pans is important. A cake is typically 8- or 9-inches in diameter, and almost always round, so be sure to have one of this size on hand. You can easily find cake pan sets that come with a 6-inch, an 8-inch, and a 10-inch cake pan. This allows for building tiered cakes as well as for giving yourself options when it comes to what size cake or pie you want to bake. A square cake pan is also a good thing to have, especially when making goods like brownies and bars. You should have both a square cake pan and a rectangular cake pan. The average square pan is usually 8-inches while a larger rectangular pan is normally 9 x 13-inches. Having a collection of cake pans that vary in size make baking not only easier but much more interesting!
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