Baking Paraphernalia

Pots, pans, tins, cups, whisk, bowls and the list can go on and on and on. Without exaggeration I have a plethora of baking equipment and I just can’t keep myself from adding some more to my collection. Well there are a few must haves for every novice at baking. I started my baking adventure with an oven and a round cake tin, toying my way to awesome and sometimes disastrous bakes.

In India, baking at home has not been so common until recently. Most of us purchased bakery made cake and we still do. But the adventure and feeling after baking is just divine. So start this adventure with a few “gadgets” that will adorn your kitchen.

Oven : For beginners at baking invest in an OTG (oven toaster & Grill). Preferably invest in an oven with volume nothing less than 28Ltrs. Trust me once you get the hang of baking, you won’t stop and you may even contemplate getting your hands on a bigger oven (that’s my story). Make sure your oven has temperatures mentioned rather than numbers representing temperatures. For e.g. 150, 160, 170 rather than 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. You may also consider a microwave cum convection grill oven. There are many models and brands available in the market. Choose the one that suits your pocket and your need.

Hand held Blender : This is an electronic device with two whisking blades attached and helps you whisk eggs and cream with utmost finesse and ease. I use a Philips hand mixer with 5 speed levels. Make sure that your Hand mixer has at least 3 speed levels.

Baking Tins : Aluminium tins in different shapes are available in the market. 7” and 8” for baking wing will be good. The square one can be used for baking brownies and cookies. Also there are spring-form tins. These are used for baking cheesecakes and delicate setting cakes. Cupcake trays, loaf tins, bundt pans, pie and tart dishes also are an incredible investment.

Measuring cups/spoons : Well traditionally we use our kitchen spoons and tea cups for measuring, but baking does require measurements to be spot on. The taste texture and look of you bakes can vary due to slight alteration in measurements. Measuring cups and spoons will just help you bake better.

Parchment Paper/Wax Paper : This paper is available at your local stationary shop as well. It’s used to line your baking in so that the cake is released smoothly from the tin.

Serrated Knife : Also known as a bread knife, this is useful for cutting layers in your cake and slicing cake and bread.

Wire Whisk : This is a whisk used to incorporate air into mixtures. Mainly used to whisk up eggs, whites, cream, flour etc. You will learn the usage and importance of a whisk as you bake.

Spatula : This is like a flat spoon but having a silicon head and a wooden or steel handle. A spatula helps in folding in dry ingredients in to the wet ingredients. The silicon head works great to scrape out the batter well, into the tin.

All of the above equipment can be purchased online or at stores in your locality that sell bake ware. Since I’m from Mumbai, India, I purchase all my bake ware from Arife Lamoulde, it’s a Bakers paradise!