Home baking utensils to invest in

There are essential baking utensils and tools you must have whether you're a beginning baker just starting out or a master chef looking to declutter.

1. Measuring Cups (Liquid and Dry) and Spoons

Baking is all about precision, so having a full set of measuring cups and spoons on hand is a must. Don't think you can get by with just one type of measuring cup, you'll need both dry and wet measuring cups to measure all your ingredients accurately.

Most measuring spoon sets include a tablespoon, teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, and ¼ teaspoon, while most measuring cups come in sets with one cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup, and ¼ cup.

2. Wooden Spoon(s)

One wooden spoon is enough, but this tool is so handy, it can sometimes be helpful to have a couple around. Wooden spoons are so sturdy they're great for all kinds of stirring. You'll be able to use them even with thick and heavy doughs. Just remember to handwash them when you're done, so they don't end up cracked.

3. Rubber Spatula/Scraper

This tool is ideal for scraping the last bit of batter or dough out of a pan or for scraping all the nooks and crannies out of your jam jar or mixing bowl. They're also super handy for folding together wet and dry ingredients. Note that silicone scrapers will stand up to high heat better than rubber ones.

5. Pastry Brush

This handy tool has more uses than you may realize. It can be used to grease a pan before pouring in cake batter, to coat the dough with melted butter or egg wash, or to "paint" milk on top of a pie crust. Especially if you're a frequent baker, this is a must-have!

6. Whisk

Yes, you can use a wire whisk to beat together a few eggs, but it's handy for other things too. In particular, it's one of the best ways to thoroughly mix together dry ingredients. It's also great for stirring mixtures.

7. Kitchen Scissors

Whenever we're making a recipe, baking or otherwise, we always have our kitchen shears handy. They can be useful in so many ways, including snipping fresh herbs, cutting parchment to fit a pan, or even just opening stubborn packages and containers.

8. Rolling Pin

Rolling pins are definitely most useful for rolling out pie crusts, cookie dough, and puff pastry, but there are other ways you can put this tool to work in your kitchen. For example, if you don't have a food processor and need to crush cookies, chips, or crackers for a recipe, just put them in a sealable bag, then use your rolling pin to smash them to pieces.

9. Fine-Mesh Sieve

For bakers, the sieve is probably the most useful for sifting dry ingredients or adding a dusting of powdered sugar to a finished pan of brownies or cookies. This piece of baking equipment also comes in handy for draining wet ingredients and removing seeds from raspberry sauces.

10. Rectangular Baking Pan

A regular baking pan (13x9x2 inches) is a definite must-have. You can use it for so many sweet things—cakes, brownies, cookie bars—and, of course, it has savory uses as well. If you pick only one baking pan to stock your kitchen with, make it this one.

11. Round Cake Pan

You should have two of these baking essentials on hand, since you'll need more than one to make a layer cake. Round cake pans come in 8-inch and 9-inch diameters, but either size will work with most layer cake recipes—just be sure you have two pans in the same size.

12. Loaf Pan

Banana bread, pumpkin bread, zucchini bread—all of our favorite homemade bread recipes call for a loaf pan. If you also want to bake your own yeast bread, it'll pay to have two of these pans in your cupboard.

13. Square Baking Pan

You don't always need to make a huge pan of brownies, and when you just want a small batch, you'll need a square baking pan. Cookie bars, cakes, brownies, and corn bread are just a few of the baked goods you can create using this baking essential.

14. Wire Rack

No one wants soggy, overbaked cookies and cakes for dessert, so make sure you've got a wire rack on hand. This handy tool allows air to circulate around baked goods as they cool, so they'll taste just as great at room temperature as they did fresh from the oven.

15. Muffin Pan

Use this pan to create a tray of freshly-baked muffins for a brunch, or to make cupcakes for your next birthday celebration. You can also use a muffin pan for many savory recipes, like meatballs, pizza cups, and mini meat loaves.

16. Hand Mixer/Stand Mixer

While you don't need to go all-out on a fancy stand mixer, you do need at least a hand mixer in your arsenal of baking essentials. It will make mixing doughs and batters faster and easier, and it's by far the best way to mix ingredients into a thick, stiff cookie dough without tiring out your arm.

17. Parchment Paper

Spreading a sheet over your pan before you start baking will make cleanup much easier and prevent your baked goods from sticking to the pan. Avid bakers might consider investing in a reusable silicone baking mat (Target) to be more eco-friendly.

18. Pastry Wheel

This tool is handy for frequent pie-makers, but not necessary for more casual bakers. It can definitely be used to cut pastry dough smoothly, but in a pinch, you can use a sharp knife instead. Just be sure to make level slices rather than one long cut, as dragging a knife through pastry can tear and toughen it.

19. Oven

This is about the most important equipment a baker must have because all the yummy baked goods you want to make can come out without been baked. Every baker needs an oven no matter how small.

20. Scale

This is also an important equipment a baker needs. Although, measuring cups and spoons are helpful but when baking in large volumes, the scale is of much importance. There are manual and digital scales which can measure up to 10kg at a time. If you are going to be baking in large quantities, investing in a measurement scale cannot be over-emphasized.

The baking equipment list is a very long one. As you continue to bake there is an increasing need for one tool or another but with the above tools listed above, you good to go start baking!