24 Essential Tools Every Home Baker Needs

Whether you’re an experienced baker or are just getting started, easy-to-use baking utensils are the secret ingredients needed for scrumptious homemade baked goods. Not sure which must-have baking tools are worth adding to your collection or how to use various pieces of baking equipment? Then check out this list of OXO’s best baking tools to take your baking to the next level. Just add your favorite dessert recipes.

Measuring Tools for Precision Baking

Ask someone who loves baking to list their essential baking tools and they’ll undoubtedly mention their preferred measuring devices. Why? Because accurate measurements play a critical role in creating the correct texture and an appealing appearance of baked goods. Too much flour or too little baking soda can throw off an entire recipe. To prevent that from happening, make sure to have these baking must-haves on hand:

A food scale

Professionals and serious home bakers alike know that weighing dry ingredients with a digital food scale is a surefire way to ensure you measure out the exact amount of a specific ingredient. Whether you’re making pizza crusts or cookie dough, learning how to properly weigh dry ingredients like flour and sugar is not only a useful culinary skill, it also can help cut down on clean-up. Do this by placing your mixing bowl directly on the scale and “zeroing” the weight, which means the scale will only measure the weight of any additional ingredients you add.

A digital timer

Baking includes a lot of multitasking. For instance, while you’re making the perfect pie crust, you might need to “rest” the dough before pre-baking it. The best way to keep track of the various demands of a recipe is with a timer that can keep track of more than one task. That way you won’t confuse cooking times.

An angled measuring cup

Baking can get messy—especially if you’re constantly lifting up measuring cups or spoons in order to read them, thereby causing them to drip or overflow. Avoid unintended spills and simplify how you measure with an angled measuring cup that makes it easy to read measurements from above.

Measuring spoons

While you’re baking, you’ll definitely need measuring spoons. However you might not need all your measuring spoons. That’s why OXO’s measuring spoons allow you to snap out only the spoons you require for a specific recipe.

Squeeze and pour measuring cups

Another way to streamline your baking routine is by measuring and microwaving in the same container. Using a flexible, heat-proof silicone measuring cup allows you to ensure you have the right amount of an ingredient that you can then squeeze directly into a mixing bowl or loaf pan.

Classic measuring cups

Every baker needs them. The only question is whether you prefer stackable measuring cups that reduce the space needed for storage or color-coded measuring cups that make it easy to grab the right size when you need it.

An adjustable measuring cup

If you’ve ever tried adding a sticky ingredient, such as honey or molasses, to a recipe, then you know that much of it often gets left behind. Make sure more of it ends up in your mixing bowl by using an adjustable measuring cup, which allows you to customize the size of the cup to the amount your recipe requires. Then the plunger acts as a squeegee as it gently pushes out every last bit of the sticky ingredient you’re adding.

Mixing and Prep Tools for Easy Baking

Having the right kitchen tools for baking within reach makes the prep process much less stressful, especially when there are a lot of recipe steps that need to be executed quickly. These are some favorites that will help with mixing, combining and chopping.

A silicone spatula

Without fail, every baking recipe calls for scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl and transferring the ingredients to a baking sheet or pan at some point. A silicone spatula can help effectively transfer every last bit of your batter. They’re also a safe, fun kitchen tool for kids who are keen to participate in cooking and baking.

A rolling pin

If you fancy making homemade crackers, tarts or pizzas, you’re going to need a non-stick rolling pin to get your dough flat and even. 

Good Tip: Chill your rolling pin in the freezer before using it so your dough stays firm while it’s being rolled out and shaped.

A whisk

A balloon whisk is positively indispensable in the kitchen, no matter what you’re cooking or baking. They’re great for mixing ingredients into sauces and dressings, and, of course, whipping cream until it’s light and fluffy.

A multi-purpose scraper & chopper

You couldn’t ask for a simpler or more straightforward gadget than a multi-use blade that portions, chops, helps loosen items from baking sheets and makes scraping down the counter during clean-up a total breeze. If you haven’t used one yet, you’re in for a treat.

An egg beater

Plenty of recipes call for beating eggs before folding them into dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. A hand-held egg beater is more efficient than using an electric mixer when the job is small and easier to clean up, too. Just pop the detachable base in the dishwasher and gently handwash the beaters.

Non-slip mixing bowls

Since baking often calls for vigorous whipping and beating, using mixing bowls with non-skid bottoms and soft, easy grip handles are a great way to limit spills and  ensure ingredients are thoroughly combined.

A silicone pastry mat

The countertops of a homebaker’s kitchen can get pretty chaotic. So, consider using a pastry mat to protect your countertop from spills and messy dough. The OXO Silicone Pastry Mat includes helpful measurements, conversions and substitutions printed right onto the mat.

A pastry brush

Many bakers consider pastry brush as one of their home baking essentials because it makes it easy to add an “egg wash,” which is usually made by whisking together egg and water  and then painting on to pastry dough before baking. The result? The golden color and shiny finish often found on pies, croissants and brioche bread.

A dough blender

When it’s time to cut butter into your dry ingredients and mix it in thoroughly, you’re going to be happier if you have a dough blender, which breaks up clumps of flour or butter that could otherwise lead to an uneven or soggy crust.  

A cookie scoop

Experienced home bakers know that using a cookie scoop helps create cookies that are consistent in size and shape. Once you’ve scooped up your desired amount of dough, gently press on the back of the scoop to release it onto your baking sheet. No scraping needed!

Bakeware for Perfect Results

Once things go into the oven, they are out of your hands—literally and figuratively! That’s why bakeware that conducts heat properly and is easy to manage at high temperatures is a key addition to your collection of must-have baking tools. We suggest:

A bakeware set

Not sure which baking pans and sheets you might need to take your home baking to the next level? Start with a bundle of essential baking must-haves that will set you up for baking cakes, loaves, cookies, cupcakes, pies and much more.

A silicone baking mat

The tried-and-true method of greasing a sheet pan makes it easy to remove most baked goods when they’re ready. But some recipes are so messy that they risk leaving behind baked-on and hardened ingredients that are difficult to clean. Using a silicone baking mat protects your trays, making clean up quick and easy.

A loaf pan

The trick to easily removing banana breads and pound cakes from their pans is choosing a loaf pan with a non-stick, microtextured surface that allows for even airflow and heat distribution.

Silicone baking cups

The trick to making perfect muffins, cupcakes and egg bites? Non-stick silicone muffin cups that ensure your baked goods don’t stick to the pan.

A cooling rack

When a recipe says “cool on a wire rack,” follow that advice! Freshly baked treats (especially cookies) that are left on a pan can burn since the heat lingers on the surface even after the pan comes out of the oven. Instead, place your cookies, cakes and loaves on a non-stick cooling rack to allow air to circulate around them from all angles, which stops the cooking process.

Tools for Decorating and Finishing

Once your baked goods have cooked and cooled, it’s time to dress them up. To do that, we recommend:

A bent icing knife

Frosting a cake is easier than you might think, especially with a flexible icing knife that allows for controlled spreading and that has a handle long enough to help prevent smearing. 

A silicone decorating bottle kit 

If you can envision it, you can create it. Add color and texture to your cupcakes and cookies by applying icing with squeezable silicone bottles and decorative tips.

Good Tip: You can also use the bottles to inject filling into puff pastries and homemade donuts.

A pie server

Another essential: A pie tool that cuts perfectly triangular slices of pie, quiche, cake or tart. Our silicone pie server makes it easy to slide the first piece out of the pan without wrecking it. Serrated edges cut smoothly through the pie and the crust too, so every slice looks like it was plated by a professional pastry chef.

Like so many things in life, baking is more fun with friends, so why not gift some of your new favorite baking essentials to someone special so you can enjoy baking together?

Additional reporting by Audrey D. Brashich.