New To Baking? Here Are 5 Kitchen Essentials Every Beginner Needs
Baking can be daunting at times, but the satisfaction you get after your first successful bake is worth it. The taste of the first delicious treat from your kitchen is something that can’t be replicated. It can be difficult to know exactly what tools you need in your kitchen. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to bake but don’t know where to start, then this post is for you. In this post, we’ll discuss five essential items every beginner baker should have. For those wondering how to stock your kitchen like a professional baker, here are a few of the tools you just can’t do without.
Measuring Tools
If you are baking for the first time, the real key is preparation. Accurate measurements are the key to successful baking recipes. To ensure precise baking, invest in measuring spoons and cups that come in multiple sizes. You should have all of the standard sizes so that you can ensure you have the right tools for any recipe. Plastic or metal measuring cups and spoons will both work as these materials are commonly used in baking utensils.
Mixing Bowls
Baking recipes often require mixing various ingredients, so it is important to have a few different sizes of mixing bowls on hand. Smaller mixing bowls are suitable for separating ingredients, before combining them in larger bowls. You can often find mixing bowls in a set of several sizes. Choose bowls made with non-reactive materials such as stainless steel, glass, and ceramic for optimal results. When choosing your mixing bowls, make sure to pick ones that are microwave safe and oven-proof if you need to heat ingredients before combining them into the batter.
Mixers
Depending on the recipe, mixers can help combine ingredients before adding them to the batter. Stand mixers are great when you have large quantities of ingredients or if you need to cream ingredients together for cakes, cookies, or meringues. Hand mixers can be used for smaller recipes or when requiring less power than a stand mixer can provide. Whichever mixer you choose, make sure it has various speeds that can handle the items you plan on baking.
Bowl Scrapers
Bowl scrapers are helpful for baking tasks like kneading dough or lifting cake layers from their pans. These tools ensure that no batter is left on the sides of the container. They can keep their shape even when pressed against different surfaces. Bowl scrapers come in plastic and metal varieties and should have curved and straight edges for more versatility when scraping out ingredients from bowl walls and rimmed pans.
Baking Pans
Quality baking pans can affect the taste and texture of your baked goods. Pans come in various shapes, including round, square, rectangular, and loaf. Aluminum is one of the most popular options among bakers due to its lightweight yet durable design. Other materials like stainless steel and carbon steel are heavier but conduct heat well, so they are suitable for baking at higher temperatures.
Conclusion
Baking is a great way to express your creativity and have fun making delicious treats. Beginners and experienced bakers can benefit from having the right tools in the kitchen. With the right kitchen items, utensils, and ingredients, any baker can enjoy the process of creating tasty treats from scratch.