19 Surprisingly Useful Baking Tools You Probably Don't Own

Apron

An apron not only sets the stage for you to become the best baker you can be, but it also protects your clothing from food contact, ensuring both safety and cleanliness. For those unfamiliar, an apron is a piece of clothing worn over your attire while cooking to maintain a tidy appearance. It’s a common sight to see bakers and chefs donning them during service and in the kitchen.

Aprons do more than keep culinary professionals clean; they also embody a sense of dignity, pride, and hospitality towards themselves, their craft, and, most importantly, their customers. Forgetting your apron is akin to leaving your laptop at the office. It’s one of the last items bakers and chefs handle before they begin and finish their work. So, take a cue from bakers and chefs — put on an apron, step into the kitchen, and start creating!

Offset spatula

An offset spatula is an essential tool for every baker, tucked away in their apron — it's crucial for icing cakes, cupcakes, and various desserts. This spatula features a slender blade that angles down from the handle and ends in a rounded tip. It comes in several sizes, with the most popular being the small 4.5-inch blade, perfect for creating beautiful swirls, particularly when decorating cupcakes and cakes. The medium 8-inch blade is ideal for larger cakes and for spreading batter evenly in a pan. Finally, the largest version boasts a blade of 9 inches or more, designed for moving baked goods and crafting smooth finishes on large desserts.

While you could manage with just one offset spatula, the miniature version is a favorite among bakers. It can handle most tasks, such as frosting cakes and spreading batter, all while taking up minimal space in your kitchen.

Oven thermometer

If you’ve ever found yourself puzzled as to why your cakes don’t turn out quite like the recipe suggests, the issue may not lie with you — it could be your oven. Occasionally, an oven may not be properly calibrated, which means that the automatic temperature gauge might be providing inaccurate readings.

A malfunctioning oven could be set to 350°F, but in reality, it might be several degrees lower or higher. This discrepancy can be attributed to various hot spots, which are areas within the oven that can vary by 10 to 30 degrees from the rest of the space. Even the shiniest, newest ovens can have these hot spots, which is why many bakers use multiple oven thermometers at different levels to get a more accurate temperature reading.

Precision and accuracy are crucial in all aspects of cooking. That’s why having an oven thermometer is essential in every kitchen — whether you’re roasting a chicken or baking brownies.

Pastry brushes

A pastry brush, also known as a basting brush, is a baking utensil designed for applying glazes, egg washes, fats, and liquids to pastries and desserts. These brushes come in various materials, including silicone, boar bristle, and nylon. Among these, boar bristle brushes are favored by bakers because they retain liquid more effectively, unlike silicone or nylon brushes, which tend to drip quickly and can compromise the integrity of the pastry or dessert.

In most bakeries, you’ll often see a pastry brush resting in a bowl of beaten eggs, ready for use in egg washes to coat pastries before they go into the oven. Investing in this tool is worthwhile if you aim to achieve a professional finish for your pastries and desserts. It is one of the final tools bakers use and is highly effective in giving pastries a perfect golden sheen.

High-heat silicon spatula

A high-heat silicone spatula is an essential tool for every bakery and home kitchen. This thoughtfully designed utensil can tackle any high-temperature task, whether it's stirring hot custards and jams or mixing simple syrup in a pot. Some heat-resistant silicone spatulas can withstand temperatures up to 600°F, making them safe for use on the stovetop. This spatula is a lifesaver during those hectic kitchen moments when you accidentally leave it resting over a pot of boiling water or simmering stew.

The versatility of a silicone spatula doesn't end there; it's also invaluable for folding egg whites into batter or scraping the sides of a bowl, ensuring you capture every last bit. So, the next time you're busy whipping up a delicious dish like classic vanilla pudding or mango sticky rice, make sure to have a high-heat silicone spatula at your side.

Flour wand

The flour wand, also known as a baker's dusting wand, simplifies the process of evenly distributing flour, powdered sugar, or starches on surfaces or baked goods without making a big mess. This handy tool consists of a metal utensil with a perforated ball that can hold 2 to 3 tablespoons of dry ingredients. Simply dip it into your chosen dry ingredient, open the ball, capture the contents, and dust away — it’s that simple!

Indispensable for dusting flour over a greased pan or banneton when making sourdough bread, the flour wand is even more effective for sprinkling powdered sugar on freshly baked cakes, cookies, and pies. Its versatility extends beyond just flour and powdered sugar; you can also use it to sprinkle cocoa or matcha powder for your latte art or to add a touch of seasonings and spices to homemade potato chips.

Piping bags

A piping bag, commonly known among professional bakers as a pastry bag, is a cone-shaped container made from cloth, paper, or plastic, designed for decorating desserts. In bakeries, it is typically filled with whipped cream or frosting to adorn cakes and cupcakes. By attaching a piping tip, bakers can create a variety of designs and patterns, allowing for intricate decorations on their confections. Piping bags are so integral to cake decorators that they are often considered an extension of their hands when assembling layered cakes.

Additionally, piping bags can be filled with ganaches, custards, and various sauces for piping into croissants, breads, and other baked treats. Having a collection of piping bags in your baking supplies is invaluable for decorating any dessert, especially when aiming for precision and uniformity in design.

Immersion blender

Did you accidentally overcook and curdle your custard? With just a few pulses from a convenient immersion blender, you can transform it into the silky, smooth custard you've always wanted. An immersion blender is a handheld device that doesn't require a separate bowl or jar. It consists of an electric motor connected to a metal wand with sharp, rotating blades. This versatile tool can emulsify, whip, puree, crush, and blend a variety of ingredients.

In the world of baking, it's common to use an immersion blender to puree custards, puddings, jams, and sauces after cooking. It guarantees a smooth, glossy finish and can turn any semi-liquid or liquid into a perfectly emulsified mixture. It's perfect for desserts, as well as for blending soups, such as this classic potato and leek recipe or a Thai-inspired coconut and pumpkin soup.

Rotating cake stand

Are you ready to move on from the sourdough bread craze of 2020? Why not pick up a new hobby by creating stunningly frosted layered cakes with the help of a rotating cake stand? Frosting an entire layered cake on your own can feel overwhelming, but this type of cake stand features a rotating turntable that allows you to effortlessly spin the cake as you smooth, frost, and add decorative touches. Unlike a standard cake stand, this one is slightly taller and wider, making it easier for bakers to reach the cake and simplifying the decorating process.

In addition to an offset spatula, a rotating cake stand is one of the most essential tools for any professional cake decorator or pastry chef. While having this cake stand won't instantly turn you into a master baker, it will certainly make the frosting and decorating process a breeze.

Baking mats

If your chocolate chip cookies consistently emerge from the oven with burnt bottoms or are stuck to the pan, it might be time to invest in some baking mats. These mats are specifically designed to provide nonstick surfaces and ensure even heat distribution on baking sheets. Typically made from a blend of silicone and fiberglass, baking mats come in various styles. The most common type is the full-sized mat, perfect for baking cookies or any dish you want to pop in the oven. Some mats feature pre-measured circles for macarons, while others have perforated holes that promote airflow, resulting in a crispier finish.

Fortunately, these mats are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze after those messy baking sessions or when dealing with sticky ingredients. Say goodbye to cooking spray and parchment paper, and consider purchasing a set of baking mats to elevate your baking skills.

Danish dough hook

Another utensil you might not have in your kitchen is the Danish dough hook. This unique baking implement features a wooden handle with two flat, coiled metal loops. The wide, hook-shaped loops are designed to mix flour and water for bread dough effectively. Their large size allows the dough to move freely, preventing it from sticking to the sides of the bowl or the tool itself. The coils are particularly useful for incorporating nuts, fruits, and seeds into the dough, and they also excel at stirring porridge, oatmeal, batters, and stews.

As its name suggests, this baking tool originates from Denmark, where it is traditionally referred to as a "brodpisker." Although it may be less familiar, the Danish dough hook has been utilized by the Danes and various cultures worldwide for centuries, making it a reliable addition to any beginner bread baker's collection.

French rolling pin

For novice bakers, rolling out pie dough for the first time can be somewhat challenging. The dough can easily tear or become too warm in your hands, and achieving a flat, smooth surface without bumps or cracks can be quite difficult. A French rolling pin is simply a long wooden dowel with tapered ends. Unlike a standard rolling pin, which typically has two handles, the tapered ends of a French rolling pin allow you to apply varying pressure on each side as you roll out the dough, making it much easier to create a smooth and even surface. If you have a standard rolling pin made of wood or plastic with handles in your kitchen, it might be time to switch to the more user-friendly French rolling pin.

Pastry knife

One of the most challenging situations for bakers to endure is watching someone ruin their meticulously crafted dessert by using a dull or inappropriate knife. To prevent this disappointment, consider investing in a professional pastry knife. Its slender blade and serrated edges allow it to glide through any baked good without crumbling or damaging the product.

Most pastry and restaurant kitchens are equipped with a dedicated set of pastry knives for slicing items such as viennoiseries, cakes, and bread. This knife is essential if you’re planning to explore cake decorating, as it can smoothly slice through a cake without compromising the layers. Stop damaging your desserts with an unsuitable knife—purchase a pastry knife to avoid any dessert disasters.

Perforated baking tray

If you're aiming for ultra-crispy baked treats, a perforated baking tray may catch your attention. This type of tray features small holes that promote air circulation and allow moisture to escape, resulting in crunchy, evenly baked tarts, bread, pizza, or pastries. The enhanced airflow is particularly beneficial for bread-making, ensuring a chewy and crusty loaf. For optimal results with this baking tool, consider using a perforated baking mat on top of the tray instead of parchment paper.

A perforated baking tray is essential for baking tart crusts, as the holes enable hot air to quickly reach the crust, ensuring a thoroughly cooked bottom that won’t crumble. If you want to elevate your baking, invest in a perforated tart ring to create uniformly baked tarts like a pro. With this setup, you'll unlock the secret to achieving crispy, crunchy, and golden crusts.

Banneton

You may believe that a regular bowl is adequate for proofing your beloved sourdough, but that’s a misconception. Originating from the bakeries of France, a banneton — or proofing basket — is crafted from spruce wood and features a cloth-lined interior. This specialized basket is designed to hold shaped bread dough as it rises, with its cloth and unique shape effectively drawing moisture away from the dough's surface. This process helps you achieve a perfect score, a robust structure, and a delightful crispy crust.

It’s essential to store these proofing baskets upside down after use to prevent mold from developing in the wood or cloth. A telltale sign that a Parisian bakery has closed for the day is the sight of a pyramid of drying bannetons. So, the next time you find yourself strolling through the streets of Paris, take a moment to peek into a closed bakery and look for the stack of bannetons awaiting their next use.

Digital thermometer

A digital thermometer is an essential tool in the realms of pastry, chocolate making, candy crafting, and bread baking. In the dessert industry, every minute counts, and this device delivers precise readings in just seconds. A digital kitchen thermometer is specifically designed to measure food temperatures during baking or cooking. It typically features a metal probe and a small display for temperature readings.

For the most accurate results, it's best to leave the thermometer inserted in the food for a few seconds, allowing it to fully calibrate and provide a reliable temperature. Today, many advanced digital thermometers are oven-safe and can connect to your smartphone. The temperature is often displayed via an app, making it an ideal choice for those who may feel anxious about baking.

Spice grinder

A spice grinder is an excellent tool for various reasons. Firstly, it allows you to grind nuts, adding a delightful texture to any dessert. Additionally, you can easily pulverize grains or seeds to create a versatile flour substitute, which is particularly beneficial for those baking gluten-free goodies. Spice grinders come in numerous shapes and designs; a handheld grinder is ideal for spices and dried herbs, while an electric grinder works well for nuts and grains when preparing garnishes or flour substitutes.

Grinding your own grains for flour is always preferable, as store-bought flour can spoil and lose its flavor over time. Moreover, freshly milled flours enhance the taste, color, and aroma of your baked creations. If you enjoy nutty desserts, consider grinding your own nuts. Pre-ground nuts tend to lose fat content quickly after being chopped, leading to a subtle difference in flavor compared to freshly ground nuts.

Ramekin

Mastering the art of baking a delicious, airy soufflé is a significant achievement for any professional baker. The key to a perfectly risen soufflé lies in its essential companion—the ramekin. A ramekin is a round baking dish with sturdy, straight sides and a fluted edge, usually crafted from ceramic, porcelain, or glass. These versatile baking tools come in various sizes. Originally designed for individual servings, ramekins quickly became recognized for their ability to create the ideal soufflé. Yet, these practical and essential kitchen items are not just for soufflés. Ramekins also serve as an attractive way to hold salt and pepper near your stovetop or as a container for classic crème brûlée.

Cookie press

One baking tool you might be missing in your kitchen is the unitasker cookie press. This easy-to-use gadget is designed for creating pressed cookies with unique imprints or patterns. It features a long cylinder made of aluminum or plastic that you fill with dough, topped with a plunger. You can easily swap out the plunger's perforated disks to create a variety of cookies, such as spritz, macaroons, butter cookies, or even savory biscuits. No need to worry about baking enough cookies for everyone—the cookie press is incredibly useful for whipping up large batches for any celebration, holiday, or simply to keep a cookie stash on hand. Glide through the holiday baking season like a pro by adding a cookie press to your collection, making any cookie challenge a breeze.