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When is National Baking Week?
It's celebrated every year from the 14th to the 20th of October and positions itself as a national awareness day that is inspired by the darker, colder night of autumn/winter. If you haven’t donned your apron and whisked up a storm in the kitchen yet, then what are you waiting for? It’s time to preheat the oven, channel your inner Mary Berry and create some delicious sweet treats.
If you’ve never dabbled in baking before, some recipes can seem like a daunting challenge, but once you get started you’ll realise that baking is a fun and enjoyable activity that the whole family can enjoy. If you’re ready to move on from the pre-mixed box cakes and bake from scratch, you’ll need the right equipment. Read on for 11 must-have baking tools that will level up your skills.
Pick a pretty Crumb Coat
Product Inspiration: Apron in Green Flower Print
Baking can be a messy business (particularly if you’re letting the kids join in the fun!). Keep your clothes protected with a pretty and practical kitchen apron. With multiple prints and patterns to choose from, you’re bound to find something you love that’s perfect for wiping sticky fingers on.
Baking can be a messy business (particularly if you’re letting the kids join in the fun!). Keep your clothes protected with a pretty and practical kitchen apron. With multiple prints and patterns to choose from, you’re bound to find something you love that’s perfect for wiping sticky fingers on.
Nobody needs Cream on their cookbooks!
Product Inspiration: Black Finish Cook Book Stand
If you’re new to baking, it’s a good idea to follow a tried-and-tested recipe. We recommend propping up your recipe book so you can easily refer back to it as often as you need to - and a cook book stand is a great way to do this. Angle it so you can glance across while you’re making baking magic.
If you’re new to baking, it’s a good idea to follow a tried-and-tested recipe. We recommend propping up your recipe book so you can easily refer back to it as often as you need to - and a cook book stand is a great way to do this. Angle it so you can glance across while you’re making baking magic.
Don't Fold on a measuring spoon
Product Inspiration: In The Forest Measuring Spoons
Ever used a standard dessert spoon to try and measure quantities, and had your cake come out all wrong? That’s because baking requires precision - and a set of measuring cups or spoons is truly an essential piece of kit for every kitchen. We recommend investing in both measuring cups and measuring spoons, as both products play a different role (and it’s handy to have duplicates so you can easily measure wet and dry ingredients without cross-contamination).
Always know the Score when adding liquids
Product Inspiration: In The Forest Measuring Jug 1L
For allocating liquid ingredients, you’ll need a measuring jug. Guessing is not an option (you know who you are!) Choose between ceramic, metallic or glass versions to best suit your needs. Remember to consider whether your jugs are microwave and dishwasher safe, as these can be helpful qualities.
For allocating liquid ingredients, you’ll need a measuring jug. Guessing is not an option (you know who you are!) Choose between ceramic, metallic or glass versions to best suit your needs. Remember to consider whether your jugs are microwave and dishwasher safe, as these can be helpful qualities.
Proof your weights accurately baking
Product Inspiration: 5kg Kitchen Scale with Bowl
Investing in a kitchen scale is a must. Portion out butter, flour, sugar and all manner of ingredients quickly and easily (without the hazards of guesswork). Digital models are available, which are easier to store away neatly in cupboards with their flat surfaces. Or why not choose a vintage-style scale with a bowl for a traditional look and feel that becomes part of the decor of your kitchen?
Investing in a kitchen scale is a must. Portion out butter, flour, sugar and all manner of ingredients quickly and easily (without the hazards of guesswork). Digital models are available, which are easier to store away neatly in cupboards with their flat surfaces. Or why not choose a vintage-style scale with a bowl for a traditional look and feel that becomes part of the decor of your kitchen?
Stop Sifting through your crockery and invest in a mixing bowl
Product Inspiration: Large Mixing Bowl in Charcoal / Copper
Let’s be honest, microwave mug cakes might be in fashion but you’re not going to be able to whip up a traditional Victoria Sponge cake in a cereal bowl. Investing in a large-capacity mixing bowl is a must. Whether you choose a lightweight metal product or a weighty ceramic version, there are plenty of chic or playful designs to choose from to fit in with your kitchen decor. Plus point? They can double up as a fruit bowl when you’re not baking. You’re welcome.
Everyone Knead's a hand mixer
Product Inspiration: Heat Soft Hand Mixer
Although they look great, you don’t need to invest in an expensive KitchenAid-style mixer to achieve incredible baking results. A simple hand mixer is one of the most effective tools in your arsenal as a baker; they are adaptable and easy to use, and you can eject the whisks and clean them quickly if you need to switch from one bowl to another. Mix your batters efficiently without the back-breaking work!
Although they look great, you don’t need to invest in an expensive KitchenAid-style mixer to achieve incredible baking results. A simple hand mixer is one of the most effective tools in your arsenal as a baker; they are adaptable and easy to use, and you can eject the whisks and clean them quickly if you need to switch from one bowl to another. Mix your batters efficiently without the back-breaking work!
Punch down on a weighted rolling pin
Product Inspiration: Marble Rolling Pin
When making pastry for pies or dough for biscuits, you’ll need to flatten it neatly and evenly, so a rolling pin is definitely a baking essential. Think carefully about materials - weighted rolling pins made from sturdy wood or marble aid you in the rolling process, requiring much less pressure. Don’t forget to dust your surfaces - and your rolling pin - with flour before you lay out your pastry to prevent sticking.
When making pastry for pies or dough for biscuits, you’ll need to flatten it neatly and evenly, so a rolling pin is definitely a baking essential. Think carefully about materials - weighted rolling pins made from sturdy wood or marble aid you in the rolling process, requiring much less pressure. Don’t forget to dust your surfaces - and your rolling pin - with flour before you lay out your pastry to prevent sticking.
Make your bakes Bloom with a decoration kit
Product Inspiration: Cake Starter Set
So, you’ve baked your cake or cupcakes, now for the finishing touches. Creating smart decoration can feel impossible when you’re starting out, but investing in the right tools can make a huge difference to your finished design. A decoration starter set gives you all the accessories you need to take the plunge. It’s time to start searching online for decoration inspiration!
Beat the back seat with a crafted cake caddy
Product Inspiration: Cake Caddy
If you need to transport your delicious delicacies, then specially designed cake caddies can be a helpful product. Crafted with a comfortable handle and a simple locking mechanism that allows the lid to snap on and off, it makes travelling with your baked goods a much less stressful affair.
If you need to transport your delicious delicacies, then specially designed cake caddies can be a helpful product. Crafted with a comfortable handle and a simple locking mechanism that allows the lid to snap on and off, it makes travelling with your baked goods a much less stressful affair.
Cake tins. You may need a Baker's Dozen!
Product Inspiration: Set of 2 Round Cake Tins
If like us, you’re inclined to eat your entire baking creation almost straight away, then you won’t be thinking of storage. But, if you’re more inclined to ration your goodies, then having tins and Tupperware available to keep your baking fresh and tasty is a good idea. We love traditional cake tins as they look great in your kitchen.
Whether you’re a Bake Off fan or not, knowing how to whip up a collection of cupcakes, a tin of brownies or a traditional sponge cake is a life skill we think everyone should have. With these essential baking tools on hand, you’ll be ready to enter baking competitions in no time.
For more inspiration to start baking, browse our bakeware collection for some irresistible items that every patissier, chef or humble novice needs! If you are in need of some spook-tacular Halloween ideas, head over to our blog hub.
