What makes an item a baking essential?
A great baking tool shares traits with your best friend: dependable, versatile, and always ready to lend a hand. It saves you time and takes the stress out of tricky techniques.
It brings on happy dances in your kitchen because it's not just about function but how the tool makes you feel.
A reliable whisk turns whipping cream into a light, airy dream. A stand mixer transforms a daunting sourdough into something you can enjoy making. These tools let you focus on the fun and creativity of baking, so it’s no longer just a task but a ritual you look forward to.
Now let’s get down to it – here are our 17 baking essentials (in no particular order).
Essential baking appliances
The stand mixer (the cornerstone of baking)
If baking were a symphony, the stand mixer would be the conductor. It brings everything together with power and precision, helping you master recipes from simple biscuits to intricate layer cakes.
Why it's essential
Kneading, mixing, whipping – tasks that can feel overwhelming by hand are effortless with the stand mixer. And its versatility? Game-changing. From bread dough to meringues, the appliance can handle it all, freeing you up to get creative.
What you can do with it
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Bread and dough. Forget tired arms and sticky messes. The dough hook kneads everything from sourdough to brioche to perfection.
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Cakes and batters. Mix cake batter or brownie mix to just the right consistency, and make sure every bake comes out as it should.
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Whipping and creaming. Whip cream for pavlova or beat egg whites into glossy peaks for mousses and meringues.
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Decorating and detail work. Pair it with precision tools to make smooth buttercream, whipped ganache, or perfectly-finished fondant.
Stand mixer attachments
The stand mixer is already a superstar, but the attachments take it to a whole new level. It becomes the ultimate baking multitasker.
Flat beater
Use the flat beater for heavy batters and thick mixes. Cream butter and sugar, mix cookie dough or combine wet and dry ingredients.
How to use it: Start slow to avoid splashes, then crank it up for smooth results.
Pro tip: Use the flat beater to mix dense gingerbread dough – it’ll save your wrists and give you beautifully even biscuits.
Useful for: Chocolate chip cookies, sponge cakes, or banana bread.
Flex edge beater
This clever tool scrapes the sides of the bowl as it mixes, so every bit of your batter gets incorporated. No more stopping to scrape!
How to use it: Perfect for thick batters like brownies, cheesecake fillings, or rich chocolate icing.
Pro tip: Use it for peanut butter cookies – the sticky dough doesn’t stand a chance.
Useful for: Fudgy brownies, cheesecake, or carrot cake.
Wire whisk
A wire whisk attachment will be included with most high-quality stand mixers. It’s an essential baking tool that makes light, fluffy magic happen. It’s ideal for anything that needs air whipped in – think meringues, whipped cream, or soufflés.
How to use it: Ensure your whisk and bowl are squeaky clean so egg whites can whip up perfectly.
Pro tip: For stable whipped cream, add a touch of icing sugar and whip until soft peaks form.
Useful for: Pavlova, lemon meringue pie, or a velvety mousse.
Dough hook
Hand-kneading dough can be satisfying, but let’s be honest – it’s a workout. The dough hook does the hard work for you, ensuring smooth, elastic doughs every time.
How to use it: Start on low speed. Watch for the dough to pull away from the sides and form a smooth ball.
Pro tip: If the dough is sticking to the bowl, sprinkle in small amounts of flour until it’s just right.
Useful for: Sourdough bread, focaccia, or soft cinnamon scrolls.
Sifter + scale
This clever attachment makes precision baking effortless. It weighs, sifts, and delivers your ingredients directly into the bowl, streamlining every step. Ideal for recipes where exact measurements make all the difference – like macarons, sponge cakes, or delicate pastries.
How to use it: Attach the sifter and scale to your stand mixer, load the hopper with dry ingredients, and let the attachment weigh, sift, and add them directly into the mixing bowl. You can also detach the scale to weigh standalone ingredients.
Pro tip: Use the sifter for clump-free, aerated dry ingredients. Make a light-as-air chiffon cake or delicate macarons.
Useful for: Macarons, sponge cakes, chiffon cakes, or any bake that demands perfect measurements and a fine, even sift.ere’s where it gets fun. Let’s put your blender to work with some ideas straight from our blog.
Ice cream maker
Use the ice cream bowl attachment to churn out creamy, homemade ice cream, sorbet, or gelato. Pair it with that hot apple pie fresh out of the oven.
How to use it: Chill the bowl in your freezer for 24 hours before starting. Pour in your chilled mixture and let the mixer do the work.
Pro tip: Add mix-ins like crushed biscuits or swirls of caramel during the last few minutes of churning for extra flair.
Useful for: Vanilla bean ice cream, raspberry sorbet, or dark chocolate gelato.
Food processor
Think of the food processor as your secret weapon for quick, flawless prep. You can chop nuts, shred chocolate or mix buttery short crust pastry in seconds. It’s a quick and easy option for a recipe and a day that requires precision and speed.
What it’s perfect for: Blitzing biscuits into a fine crumb for cheesecakes, shredding carrots for a luscious carrot cake, or slicing apples paper-thin for a rustic galette.
Pro tip: Use the pulse function when mixing pastry dough – it gives you control and keeps the dough from over-processing. No one wants tough crusts.
Recipe inspiration: Whip up a flaky shortcrust for fruit tarts, or create a perfectly even biscuit base for your next cheesecake.
K400 variable speed blender
Blenders aren’t just for smoothies. The K400 is strong enough to crush nuts into flour, smooth enough to blend roasted pumpkin into cake-worthy puree, and precise enough to create silky custards.
What it’s perfect for: Making lemon curd with a velvety finish, whipping up lump-free pancake batter, or blending fruits for a tart filling that bursts with flavour.
Pro tip: Use the blender to emulsify ganache – it’s faster, smoother, and saves your arm.
Recipe inspiration: Blend roasted pumpkin for spiced cakes, or whip up the creamiest custard you’ve ever tasted.
Cordless appliances
Whether you like your bench clutter-free or regularly cook outside (or even while on the road), these cordless appliances will help you bake delicious, nutritious meals.
Cordless hand mixer
The cordless hand mixer lets you bake wherever the inspiration strikes – whether at the kitchen bench, outside on the patio, or even at a friend’s house. Lightweight but powerful, it’s perfect for quick jobs and small batches.
What it’s perfect for: Whipping cream for pavlova, beating eggs for a sponge, or mixing a small amount of icing for cupcakes.
Cordless food chopper
This cordless food chopper is a compact, portable tool for chopping nuts, crushing pistachios, or even dicing dried fruit for biscuits. It’s great if you have limited counter space, but it’s even better if you’re not in a kitchen. Maybe you’ll use it while you cook outside, or maybe you need it to make healthy meals on the road.
What it’s perfect for: Prepping mix-ins for bakes like fruit loaves or cookies, or grinding spices. Use it wherever it's most convenient, whether in your tiny apartment kitchen or by the BBQ.
Essential baking utensils for every skill level
For beginners
Stick to the basics – mixing bowls, silicone spatulas, and a trusty whisk. These tools help you build confidence and tackle foundational recipes easily.
For advanced bakers
When you’re ready to level up, tools like pastry mats, bench scrapers, and cake turntables let you refine techniques and go big on creativity.
Recipe inspiration
Baking is about creating moments of joy. And these recipes are a celebration of all things delicious.
1. Classic pavlova
An Australian icon, this crisp-on-the-outside marshmallowy-on-the-inside dessert is a showstopper. Use your stand mixer’s wire whisk to beat egg whites into glossy peaks and your kitchen scale for precise sugar measurements. Find the recipe here.
2. Sourdough bread
Take your bread game to the next level with our simple sourdough. Let your stand mixer and dough hook do the heavy lifting while you focus on shaping and proofing.
3. Lemon meringue pie
This classic tart combines zesty lemon curd and fluffy meringue. Use a pastry mat to roll out a perfect crust and the wire whisk to whip up your meringue.
4. Carrot cake
Moist, spiced, and topped with cream cheese frosting. Use the flex edge beater for a smooth batter and the flat beater to whip up icing that spreads like a dream. Find the recipe here.
5. Strawberry sorbet
Bright, refreshing, and surprisingly easy. Let your stand mixer’s ice cream bowl attachment churn fresh strawberries into a velvety sorbet.
6. Gluten-free cinnamon scrolls
Soft, sweet, and swirled with cinnamon goodness. Use the dough hook to mix and knead your dough, then roll it out with a rolling pin before adding your filling.
7. Vanilla bean ice cream
Churn creamy, dreamy ice cream with the ice cream maker attachment, perfect on its own or served alongside pies and cakes.
8. ANZAC biscuits
A beloved Aussie classic. Mix your ingredients with the flat beater, then use your hands to form rustic, golden biscuits.
Troubleshooting baking challenges
Baking doesn’t always go perfectly. But here’s the good news – most problems have simple fixes!
Flat meringues? The likely culprit is grease on your whisk or bowl. Wash them thoroughly with hot, soapy water and dry them completely before whipping egg whites.
Sticky dough? Use the dough hook on your stand mixer to knead until smooth. If the dough remains sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time until it comes together.
Uneven cake layers? Weigh your batter using kitchen scales to ensure equal portions in each pan. Bake on the centre rack for even heat distribution.
Dense cakes? You may be overmixing. Use the flat beater on your stand mixer and mix only until ingredients are just combined.
Soggy pie crusts? Preheat your baking tray before placing the pie on it. The instant heat jumpstarts the crust, creating a barrier against moisture.
Tip: Keep a baking notebook. Jot down what worked, what didn’t, and any tweaks you’d make next time. It’s the best way to grow as a baker.
Final thoughts
Baking isn’t just about the end result – it’s about the process. The joy of creating something from scratch. The satisfaction of pulling a golden loaf from the oven. The happiness of sharing your efforts with loved ones.
With our baking essentials, every bake feels a little more exciting, a little more fun, and a lot more delicious. So grab your mixer and roll up your sleeves. What will you bake today?
Want to know more? Find 17 gift ideas for bakers, or discover what’s on our kitchen essentials list.
FAQ
What are the essential baking ingredients?
The essential baking ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda. These form the foundation of most recipes, providing structure, sweetness, moisture, and rise.
Other staples include salt for balance, milk or other liquids for hydration, and vanilla extract or spices for flavour. Depending on your baking style, you might also keep chocolate, nuts, or dried fruit on hand.
What’s the best way to clean and maintain my baking tools?
To keep your tools in top shape, clean them as soon as possible after use. Wash stand mixer attachments in warm, soapy water and dry them thoroughly to prevent rust. Silicone tools like spatulas and pastry brushes are dishwasher-safe but last longer if hand-washed.
If you have wooden tools like rolling pins, wipe them clean with a damp cloth and avoid soaking them in water to prevent warping. Use labelled bins or drawer dividers for long-term storage to keep everything organised and easy to find.
What’s the difference between a stand mixer and a hand mixer?
A stand mixer is more powerful and versatile. Use it for heavy-duty tasks like kneading bread dough or mixing large batches of batter. It also works with various attachments, transforming it into a multi-purpose tool for everything from making ice cream to rolling pasta.
On the other hand, a hand mixer is lightweight and portable, ideal for smaller jobs like whipping cream, beating eggs, or mixing frosting. If space or budget is a concern, a hand mixer is useful, but a stand mixer is a game-changer for dedicated bakers.