I grew up with parents who are enthusiastic bakers. Biscuits on weekend mornings, pastries and cakes for birthdays and holidays, a thriving sourdough starter in the corner of the counter—baking was always fun, and we were lucky to spend time together in the kitchen. So when my now-husband and I first moved in together, I knew it was time to take stock of the small, but stalwart, array of equipment that had traveled with me through college and graduate school and invest in some quality supplies that would allow me to recreate my childhood baking adventures in our new home.
You may have taken a recent interest in baking due to similar nostalgia, or simply a desire for new ways to pass the time and provide food for your family, friends, and neighbors while many of us are spending more time at home. But baking can be intimidating. It’s all about precise measurements and well-practiced techniques, a pursuit of perfection that will hopefully produce flaky pastry, buttery scones, and layer cakes that look like those in a bakery window. One of the best ways to inspire confidence for your baking journey is to start with equipment that will set you up for success.
Whether you’re moving into a new place, searching for the tools to start baking seriously, or simply upgrading what you already have, here are some essentials that you can rely on to up your baking game: