Basic Kitchen Needs List for Baking


Because we are all home and many of us are baking again, we probably have figured out what we didn’t have but needed in order to bake. So I thought it is time for me to give you my Basic Kitchen Needs List for baking to help you stock your kitchen!

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I have been baking for over 40 years, plus some. I also had my own successful cupcake and sweets bakery that I ran out of my home for years, so I have a pretty good idea of what you need.  

The following are some pieces that are perfect for your kitchen or for someone who is beginning to bake or who is just getting married and wants to build their own basic kitchen needs list.  

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Ok, so here are some items to start off with:

Sheet Pans

If you want to start with just one size, I’d start off with two half sheets.  They are not only great for baking but perfect for roasting vegetables; and if you have two half sheets, you can do more than a few vegetables at a time, separately.  I like these for many reasons: they are light, not heavy, easy to clean, and they come in three different sizes: half, quarter, and full sheet pans. Below are some suggestions for you.

 Silpat Sheet

They come in several sizes. Get the dimensions the same as the sheet pans you purchase.  The great thing about Silpat sheets is cookies bake evenly, and your cookies don’t stick to the pan. I have a few of these, including a quarter sheet, half sheet, and full sheet. I have purchased them from Sur La Table and from Amazon.

Silicone Pastry Sheet

These are used for measuring, especially when making pies, quiches, tarts, and pizza! Recently I skipped using mine when making quiches, and my pie crust was a little too small, so I had to take it out of the pan and roll it out again. Here are some that I suggest using.

Rolling Pins

You will find choices are from stainless steel to marble ones which are best for keeping the dough cold to nonstick ones for tough jobs to old-fashioned wooden pins. Some have handles, some don’t, and others have tapered ends. The key is you need to feel comfortable using it.  If ever in a pinch, you can use a wine bottle until you find the rolling pin you will like. Here are some of my favorites:

Kitchen Mixer

Twenty-three years ago I got my first KitchenAid Stand Mixer and I have never regretted having made that purchase, so worth it and a great investment! I have one in cobalt blue. Now they have so many colors to choose from, like aqua to hot pink, yes, hot pink!  They also have over 10 attachments; some include a juicer, an ice cream maker, a meat grinder, a pasta maker, a vegetable slicer and food processor, and more!

Note: The color of the mixer determines its price, so choose your color, then check the price of it and compare it to other colors.

Check out the coolest colors and all the attachments here:

Measuring Cup and Measuring Spoons

I personally like stainless steel when it comes to my measuring cup and spoons. The ones I have are over 25 years old, they still look brand new. Here are a few of my favorites and all for under $25! 

I also recommend the following item: Measuring Spoons  Even though they are not the typical measurements, you need them for baking and cooking.  The measurements are a drop, smidgen, pinch, dash, and tad.

Bundt Pan

If you have ever watched the movie ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ there is a scene when the main star named Toula, played by Nia Vardalos, invites her fiance’s parents over to meet her family. Ian is played by John Corbett. Ian’s mother brings a cake a ‘Bundt Cake.’ Toula’s mom, Maria Portokalos greets his parents, and when Ian’s mom hands Toula’s mom Maria the cake she says “it’s a Bundt,” she keeps repeating it because Maria doesn’t understand, finally she gets it. Maria responds: ” It’s a cake! I know! Thank you! Thank you very, very much.” Then whispers to her family member: “there’s a hole in the cake!” So that should give you a picture of what a bundt cake pan would look like.

I personally have two kinds: one is a non-stick pan, and the other is stoneware.  There are many to choose from, and I have used all kinds over the years.

I have had my stoneware pan for over 24 years. It has scalloped edges. Below are some choices, and if you plan on bringing a Bundt Cake to your table or to any occasion, a Bundt pan is a must-have in your collection. Here are a few of my suggestions below:

Cake Pans

I like using Wilton Cake Pans for the most part, and I recommend getting several sizes: Rounds of different sizes to make a graduated tiered cake, Two 9 x 13 rectangle pans, Two square pans, Two 9 inch rounds. I always line them with parchment paper which leads me to my next suggestion.

Parchment Paper

You always need a roll of parchment paper; it is great for so many uses, but especially for baking!  You can line the bottom of a sheet pan or cake pan for easy release of your baked goods.  It’s great for baking cookies too!

Springform Pan

Perfect for baking cheesecakes and ice cream cakes.  There are several good ones out there, and I have a few in my kitchen. Below are some choices I like using:

Spatulas for Icing

I suggest a set of three or four for icing cakes and cupcakes.  Some of them are angled: one large, one smaller, and then one that is completely flat. I like these by Wilton, Puckway, and Legerm for easy cleanup and top-shelf dishwasher safe.  The Legerm ones you should hand wash because of the wood.

I hope this Basic Kitchen needs list will help you add some baking tools in your home and that it can get you baking soon!

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