1. Baking Tools and Equipment (and Their Uses)
Measuring Tools
Spoons, cups, bowls. Measuring tools in a number of different materials and sizes, and it’s
important that you have a set. You’re going to need them to measure out your wet and dry
ingredients. It might cost you a pretty penny, but you should definitely purchase good quality
ones that will last you. Some great brands to consider are Cuisipro, King Arthur Flour, Anchor
Hocking, and Pyrex.
Make sure you get a whole set of cups and spoons; you’re going to regret it if you only
purchase a quarter cup especially when you have to dump in three cups of flour to make
some bread. The same can go for spoons. Using a teaspoon to count out three tablespoons
can be a pain, especially if you end up losing track. Try out your new measuring tools when you take a course in
making gluten free bread.
Baking Pans
When putting your baked goods in the oven, you’re going to need a pan to place
them in or on. Stoneware is an excellent choice, but it does need to be preheated
for best results. Aluminum pans are another great choice. You’re going to want a
number of different pans. There are cookie sheets, brownie pans, circular pans,
square pans, rectangle pans, and specialty shapes. Don’t forget pie pans too.
Specialty pans are great for special occasions like weddings, birthdays, and so many
other parties. You can find pans in a number of different shapes from flowers to
monkeys. Take a look at your local craft store, and decide what specialty shapes you just can’t live without. Those
specialty pans will come in handy while taking a course on cake decorating for fun and profit. Yes, you can make
money selling your baked goods once you get good at them.
Parchment Paper
This particular baking tool has a number of different uses. You can line your pans to keep
your baked goodies from sticking, or you can lay them out on your counters to protect that
beautiful granite top from flour and sugar. It’s also a great way to store your baked goods
so they don’t dry out in your refrigerator. Parchment paper is grease-resistant and
moisture-resistant.
Wax Paper
Like parchment paper, wax paper can be used for lining baking pans or storing baked
goods so they don’t dry. The only difference between the two papers is really the fact
that wax paper has a thin wax coating on both sides, and parchment paper is really heavy
paper. Wax paper is moisture-proof and nonstick.
Oven Thermometer
If you’ve ever used an oven, you’re probably wondering what you would need this
particular tool for. After all, ovens have dials or buttons that you push, and they’re marked
with the temperature. Right? Well, the problem is that ovens tend to become faulty over
time so it’s best to check the temperature manually. This way you have the perfect
temperature every time you bake something. Oven temperature can make a big difference
in baking so don’t consider this tool optional.
2. Rubber Spatulas
Like parchment paper, this tool has different uses. You can use it to scrape bowls so every
last drop of batter ends up in the pan instead of down your sink. You can also use them to
fold your more delicate ingredients, and they’re great when wanting to stir things gently by
hand. Be sure to get them in a variety of sizes so you have one for whatever baking fiasco
you might run into.
Icing Spatula
If you’re planning to take a course in cake decorating, you’re going to want one of
these. However, an icing spatula is quite a versatile tool. In my household, we even use
it for buttering bread and slapping mayonnaise onto a sandwich. You can also use it for
smoothing out your batter in the pan so you end up with a flatter surface at the end
(less wasted cake when you go to level it). It’s also great for loosening your baked
goods from the pan. Any baker can tell you that even with oiling your pan, you’re going
to have some slight sticking. So, plan ahead with an icing spatula in your arsenal.
Whisk
Different shapes have different uses, which few people actually know. A balloon whisk is great
when you have to deal with lots of batter. You can also use it for folding sometimes too.
Narrower whisks are great for use in your pots and pans when making curds and pastry creams
on the stove top. You’re going to want wire whisks and silicone-coated whisks. The silicone
ones have the added bonus of scraping the sides of bowls like a rubber spatula.
Pastry Brush
Even if you haven’t baked before, you might have seen those smaller paint brushes in
the baking area and wondered what exactly they could be for. Brushes like those
actually have a lot of uses from brushing on BBQ sauces to applying glazes to baked
goods. The traditional style had natural or nylon bristles that shed and held onto
flavors and colors.
This made it difficult to use the same brush for cooking and baking. Now, there are silicone brushes that don’t hold
onto colors and flavors, and they don’t shed. This means you can use that pastry brush you used for a blueberry glaze
the other day to give your Thanksgiving turkey a nice rubdown in the oven.
Bench Scraper
This tool is especially versatile. You can use it to chop up nuts or cut dough when
making large batches. You can use it to scrape down your counters so you don’t end
up with sticky dough left behind. You can also use it to scoop up ingredients to dump
into a bowl. Once you have one, you’re going to wonder how you ever did without it