Holiday Toolbox: Baking Essentials Slideshow
Ateco Ultra Spatula, $9.99
The metal blade of a straight spatula is optimal for spreading frosing and icing on cakes because it is not flexible, as that of a rubber spatula tends to be.
Rubber or Silicone Spatula
Wilton Easy Flex 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set, $8.49
Rubber spatulas are great for scraping the sides of bowls and evening out batter in cake pans.
Bench Scraper
Oxo Good Grips Pastry Scraper, $8.99
Bench scrapers are used to help portion and handle all types of dough. When it comes to working with stickier doughs, such as bread dough, a bench scraper can be particularly handy.
Pastry Brush
Oxo Good Grips Silicone Pastry Brush, $6.97
A pastry brush is most useful for applying egg washes to pie crusts before baking. They are also great for brushing butter on pressed crusts before baking and glazes on cakes or doughnuts.
Pastry Cloth
Regency Pastry Cloth and Rolling Pin Cover Set, $6.03
When it comes to handling and rolling out dough, a pastry cloth can ease the process. They are typically made of canvas and have a non-slip surface on one side, which makes for a stable working area. Though some people prefer to use plastic wrap or parchment paper to roll out their dough, pastry cloths are durable and reusable alternative.
Balloon Whisk
Kuhn Rikon 10-Inch Balloon Wire Whisk, $14
With the vast variety of whisks available, it can be both pricey and challenging to figure out which kind best suits your needs. A balloon whisk is a great place to start your whisk collection, as it is the most standard and widely useful of its kind. The spacious, bulb-like shape of a balloon whisk makes it ideal for whipping and mixing batters.
Microplane Grater
Microplane Grater/Zester, $10.85
Whether grating ginger, lemons, or chocolate, a microplane grater is precise and easy to clean. Plus, the handheld nature of a microplane grater allows for ingredients to be grated right into a batter.
Silicone Baking Cups
Wilton Easy Flex Silicone 3-Inch Reusable Baking Cups, 12 Count, $9.66
Silicone baking cups are great for entertaining at home because they are resusable.
Flour Sifter
Mrs. Anderson's 3-Cup Stainless-Steel Crank Flour Sifter, $8.75
A flour sifter is an easy baking tool to overlook, however, it is a must-have item. Whether to use the crank, squeeze trigger, or sieve variety is based on personal preference.
Cooling Rack
Bakers Secret 10x16 inch Nonstick Cooling Rack, Set of 2, $9.99
Cooking racks keep cookies, cakes, and cupcakes from overcooking in the pan and allows for faster, more even cooling.
Silpat
DeMarle Silpat 11-5/8 by 16-1/2 inch Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat, $16.20
A silpat can be very useful when baking anything that tends to stick to the pan. In addition to making clean-up easier, you wont have to grease the pan with extra butter when using a silpat.
Hand Mixer
Cuisinart HM-70 Power Advantage 7 Speed Hand Mixer, $41.58
For blending, whipping, creaming and mixing, a hand mixer is a great tool to have in your kitchen.
Food Processor
Cuisinart SS Finish Food Processor 9-Cup, $136
A food processor is a great tool to have on hand in the kitchen. It is perfect for making a variety of doughs, fillings, and frostings.
