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New Baker Must-Haves
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items Soooo learning how to bake is on your list of resolutions this year! When I first decided I wanted to give baking a try, I felt so unequipped—I didn't know why it was important to buy sticks of butter instead of butter in a tub, or what kind of tools...
Sections
2
Staple Ingredients
Tools
Staple Ingredients
Staple ingredients are things I feel every baker should have at the ready—I'm able to make most things with these ingredients, and I can usually swap out any specialty ingredients in a recipe with something else I have at home. If you have these ingr...
I usually buy store-brand or in bulk from Costco—I personally haven't noticed much of a difference between bleached/unbleached/enriched but you can take a closer look at those qualifications if that matters to you!
All-Purpose Flour - King Arthur Baking Company
Any brand of granulated sugar will do! I'd be surprised if a recipe for a baked good doesn't include this.
Sugar
I personally love dark brown sugar in any recipe that requires brown sugar—the extra molasses adds a depth that I appreciate, especially in chocolate chip cookies.
Brown Sugar
You'll need this for frostings and icings! If you're baking unfrosted cookies, muffins, or quick breads, no need.
Powdered Sugar
You probably already have this at home! You'll have to note whether a recipe calls for kosher salt or table salt, though—the ratio for table salt to kosher salt is 1:2 (i.e., if you only have kosher salt and a recipe calls for 1 tsp table salt, you w...
Salt
Super easy to make at home if you have a few months to spare; otherwise, it's not the greatest sin to buy imitation vanilla extract from the store.
Homemade Vanilla Extract (2 Ingredients) - Sally's Baking Addiction
These are rising agents you'll need in most recipes. They're slightly different (baking Soda helps to Spread, baking Powder helps to Puff), so make sure you read the ingredients portion of your recipe carefully!
Baking Powder + Baking Soda
Large eggs are standard in any baking recipe, but if you buy regular or extra large by accident, no need to fret. It won't matter in a recipe unless you're using 3 or more eggs.
Large eggs
Make sure you buy unsalted instead of salted, and boxes of 4 sticks instead of tubs to be as accurate as possible!
Unsalted Butter
This item might be a surprise to you! Chances are, you already have some in your fridge from the last time you had a taco night for dinner. Sour cream's acidity helps with gluten development and moisture. I often use sour cream instead of buttermilk ...
Sour Cream
Tools
When I first started baking, I bought all kinds of molds, pans, and gadgets that I thought I'd need.. and then never used. After baking consistently for the past 4 years, these are all tools that I guarantee you'll ACTUALLY use :)
I ALWAYS measure dry ingredients—anything from flour to chocolate chips—with a kitchen scale, in grams. It's the most accurate way to make sure you're adding the correct measurements.
The 4 Best Kitchen Scales of 2025 | Reviews by Wirecutter
I bake so often that I have 3 different sets haha, you should be fine as long as you have ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, and 1 tsp, but I like having other spoons such as 1/8 tsp, 2 tsp, and ½ tbsp.
Magnetic Measuring Spoons Set of 8 Stainless
The flatter the better—I personally don't find much use out of the ones that are kind of like spoons and have a slight dip in the middle
Rubber Spatulas
Helpful for frosting! If you're just baking, no need.
Why an Offset Spatula Is the Tool I Can't Bake Without
Grab metal whisks in a bunch of different sizes—I like them better than silicone ones, and I love using little whisks to just give dry ingredients a quick stir. Whisks are also great if you don't want to commit to a hand or stand mixer yet.
Whisks
My ideal mixing bowls nest into each other, have rubber footing, and have handles and spouts. You can get metal or plastic, but be aware that metal bowls may affect the taste of certain curds and fillings.
Mixing Bowls
So useful! I have a 1 cup one and a 4 cup one :)
Liquid Measuring Cup
I've had the Cuisinart hand mixer for 4 years and I still love using it! You can mix with different speeds and lots of control. Great for batters and small amounts of chantilly cream. You can make cookie dough and frosting with a hand mixer, but I wo...
Hand Mixers
I love my KitchenAid stand mixer. For super bright, white vanilla frosting, you're going to want to break out your stand mixer and beat your unsalted butter on its own for at least 5 minutes—a hand mixer won't get you there as quickly (and your arm w...
Stand Mixers - KitchenAid
Sure, you could use a ziploc bag with the corner cut from it, but if you want to practice piping, grab a pack of piping bags and a good set of piping tips.
Piping Bags & Tips - Wilton
You might not need this if you're not decorating anything, but I think a good set of gel food coloring is great to have on-hand.
Soft Gel Paste - AmeriColor Corp.