I’m not sure I ever really bought into the adage, “A craftsman is only as good as his tools.” That is, until I became the craftsman and my craft became my business. Nothing can replace genuine expertise and learned skill, but there is certainly something to be said for the level of efficiency and workmanship attained by elevating one’s equipment. Though it is difficult to resist the semi-impractical (but nonetheless enticing) kitchenware, and although I have, on more than one occasion, walked the aisles of Williams Sonoma thinking “I need this” when in fact I didn’t, I’ve learned to streamline my batterie de cuisine and decipher between really great tools and really great marketing. In fact, I’ve spent years vetting various products and finding my favorites. So, tried, true, and tested, here are 12 of my absolutely essential kitchen appliances and tools that everyone could use in their baking.

Granna’s Spoon (link to similar item)

If this spoon could talk, oh the stories it would tell. I was originally given this spoon by my grandmother, which is why I call it Granna’s Spoon, and I have yet to figure out its official name or find the exact version anywhere since. This spoon is probably my most well-loved kitchen item and it just goes to show that sometimes, the best tools are less flash and more substance. I use it for just about everything, and it has yet to fail me.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer (link)

In the all-purpose category, the KitchenAid Stand Mixer takes the cake. Each of my daughters has one and they use them to make cookies, frosting, cakes, brownies, savory dips, beat egg whites, mix bread dough, and even shred chicken (trust us, you’ll never go back to shredding with a fork). It checks every box, including durability, reliability, versatility, and aesthetics. In other words, it’s cute! The head also tilts to allow an easy swap of accessories and attachments, which are plentiful.

Bosch Mixer (link)

If you aren’t an avid or ambitious baker, this might not be a splurge that you make anytime soon, but a Bosch really is unmatched when it comes to mixing bread dough. My Bosch has lasted for years and survived the early days of my business when I could spend night after night and hour after hour pulling dough from its bowl.

French Tapered Rolling Pin (link)

My wooden rolling pin has seen me through many late nights at the kitchen counter. With how many hours I spend rolling out dough, it’s important that my rolling pin function and feel the way I want it to. Handleless, tapered pins are typically easier to maneuver, more comfortable to grip, and they provide a nuanced feel for the dough, what with fewer impediments between your work surface and you. They are also much easier to keep clean because they have less crevices for dough to get stuck in.

Ateco Mat (link)

I have used quite a few mats in my day, for rolling out crusts, rolls, and other doughs. This one out ranks the others by far. I’m all about keeping things quick and easy where I can, and with this mat, I can shake it off in the sink after use, fold it up, and set it in the freezer. It’s as simple as that!

Pampered Chef 1-Cup Prep Bowls With Lids (link)

These little glass bowls became a fast favorite of mine. If you’ve seen any of my IG tutorials, you’ve most likely seen me using these to measure my ingredients and keep them all organized. They make food-prep painless, cleanup seamless, and their utility is limitless.

Wooden Pastry/Butter Brush (link)

Luckily, this tool is small and inexpensive enough to own two; one for gluten-free baking and one for non-gluten-free baking. You can never underestimate the power of an excellent pastry brush. Or, better yet, never underestimate its ability to perfectly apply a thin-but-thorough, even coating of melted butter, hot glaze, egg wash, cream, or even water.

Large Silver Mixing Bowls (link)

With six kids, four grandkids, a hungry husband, and a constantly bustling household, most meals in our kitchen are made bigger and better. Recipes are usually doubled or tripled, which necessitates much higher capacity mixing bowls. In addition to accommodating my family, large mixing bowls are also perfect for proofing dough.

Press'n Seal and Parchment Paper

Two things I can never go without, neither at my commercial kitchen nor in my home. Press’n Seal and Parchment Paper are about as multifaceted as any wrapping or preserving material can be.

Brown Sugar Saver (link)

You can thank me later for this one. In the endless struggle to keep brown sugar soft, this little ceramic friend has indeed saved me. Soak it in water for 15 minutes, pat it dry, and place it on top of the brown sugar. When kept in a sealed container, this will keep brown sugar soft for up to 3 months. When the sugar begins to harden again, re-soak the ceramic sugar saver, pat it dry, and use it again. If that weren’t enough, it will also keep dried fruit, fruit cakes, marshmallows, and cookies moist that are kept in a sealed container.

White Flour Sack Towels (link)

If the large silver mixing bowls are the bread, these towels would be the butter. For anyone who actually bakes a lot of bread, or otherwise spends a good deal of time cooking everyday, a set of these standard white flour sack towels is paramount. They are relatively light, but with just enough surface area and texture to cover a lot of ground. Though they can be used for cleaning or any number of purposes, I use them primarily for laying over bowls of rising dough, after covering the bowls in a sheet of Press’n Seal.

Something to Listen To

Who says you can’t enjoy baking? Burning a batch of cookies might not feel like a win, but burning them because you were too busy dancing to your favorite tunes or distracted by a compelling podcast can temper the sting. The kitchen has always been a happy place for me, and having something to listen to has become crucial in sustaining that. After several consecutive hours of going from mixer to table and oven to cooling rack, the work can start to feel monotonous. Thank heavens for AirPods, Spotify, and Brene Brown!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re minimizing clutter or stocking your kitchen from scratch, working to pare down your gadget overload or looking for some new essentials, these tools and appliances will improve anyone’s baking experience.

For more ideas on how to elevate your kitchen game, recipes to test, and tips to try, make sure to follow us on Instagram (@cinnamomma_), sign up for our newsletter, and stay tuned on the blog!

12 Essential Kitchen Tools and Appliances For Baking