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Hand & Stand Mixers
Stand mixers are typically a hefty investment, but if you are a home baker or from scratch cook I highly suggest the purchase. Here are a list of my top 4 recommendations for stand mixers. I personally have the KitchenAid 7 quart that was so graciously gifted to me for Christmas one year. It has been well loved and used almost daily. We make everything from homemade sourdough chocolate chip cookies to fresh sandwich bread in it.
For smaller batches or occasional baking, I believe every kitchen should have a hand mixer. Just like anything else, there is a wide price range depending on brand and accessories included. Some top brands are Hamilton Beach, KitchenAid, and Cuisinart. These are great places to start, but there are endless possibilities depending on needs and price range. You can quickly mix up frosting, cake batter, doughs, whipped cream, and so much more with ease using a hand mixer.
Baking Pans
If you are a beginner, I highly suggest a variety of baking pans. Round, square, and 9×13″ cake pans are ideal for brownies, crisps, cobblers, casseroles, cakes, and so much more. You will utilize these in almost every recipe in the kitchen. Loaf pans are a must if you want to make any yeast or quick breads, and most recipes call for two so a set of two is a great purchase! Another versatile pan in every kitchen is a muffin tin. Use it to make cupcakes, muffins or even single serving freezer meals. Last, but not least, in our pan section is the baking sheet. Great for making recipes for potlucks or large crowds, sheet pan meals, sheet cakes and more.
Mix and Measure
Both baking and cooking recipes typically require mixing bowls and measuring utensils of some sort. I strongly encourage you to purchase ceramic, glass, and/or stainless steel bowls to utilize in your kitchen. Plastic works for a cheaper option, but I wouldn’t do fermentation or any type of storage in them so microplastics don’t leak into your food. I also suggest stainless steel or glass for measuring utensils too. Liquid glass cups are typically microwave friendly so you can quickly melt butter or other ingredients for your recipe.
Utensils
A variety of silicone spatulas are so handy to have in your kitchen arsenal. You can use them for batters, frostings, sauces, brushing on washes, scraping, folding, etc. Also, a varying size of whisks is beneficial so you can mix in all shapes and sizes of bowls. Rolling pins are essential for cookie doughs like sugar or gingerbread, cinnamon rolls, and yeast breads. If you are making any of the aforementioned recipes, it would be wise to also have a bench scraper on hand. Finally, cookie scoops are not required for cookie making, but will make your life infinitely easier if you have a few different sizes on hand!
Specialty Products
All of these products are nonessential, but if you want to branch out I encourage you to purchase a couple or all of them! Ceramic casserole dishes make beautiful crisp or cobbler pans and make clean up a breeze. Once you have mastered simpler recipes like cookies and cakes, try your skills at a homemade pie. The rewarding aroma of a fresh baked apple pie filling your home is like no other. Ramekins are for those who want to make soufflé, custards, lava cakes or creme brûlée. I have yet to tempt these recipes, but if you do let us know! With any baking you do in the kitchen I strongly encourage you to purchase a couple of cooling racks, they aren’t necessary but they do make cooling and enjoying happen faster! Another useful, but not essential, addition is silicone baking mats that fit a variety of pans. You can always use parchment paper, but these reusable silicone mats are helpful too! And finally, if you are getting into sourdough or any dough making, I strongly suggest a Dutch whisk. It whisks circles around a standard whisk when it comes to doughs thanks to the design. It is also much easier to clean and remove dough.
I hope you found something useful in all of our suggestions! Some of these are utilized daily in our home, some are on my dream list to add to our collection. But all have their own unique uses for a multitude of recipes. Happy baking friends!
