There is definitely a science to baking. Unlike cooking, which allows for a lot more flexibility and experimentation, you can't exactly throw together ingredients, choose a temperature and stick your creation in an oven. You'll end up with a disgusting and burnt mess, goop that didn't rise or some other horrifying result. So if you want to take up baking, you will need some tools. Of course, you must have your standard timer, measuring spoons and cups, whisk, sifter, cooling wrack, spatula, pastry brush, bowls, rolling pin, stand mixer, sheets and baking pans. But there are some other items that you may not have considered.
Silicone baking mats
Move over, parchment paper. There's a new kid in town. Silicone baking mats are reusable, lay flat on a cookie sheet and are great for pouring out toffee or brittle to cool or rolling out cinnamon roll dough. According to foodies, the bottoms of cookies are always evenly baked and they slide right off the mat. Cleaning these bad boys is a breeze since they're dishwasher friendly.
Oven thermometer
I know what you're thinking, "My oven already has a thermometer" but bakers know that without an independent oven thermometer you won't really know what temperature your oven is heating to. And that can ruin all your baked goods. So you're better off grabbing one of these, which can be hung from or be perched on a rack and also has a magnet.
Bench scraper
Baking can be a sticky, dusty, messy business. The bench scraper makes it a bit easier since you can use it for scooping up ingredients to transfer to bowls, easily cut up brownies and bars and clean up a lot faster. For example, after dusting your work surface with flour to roll out pastry, the handy dandy scraper gets every last bit of flour and dough off the surface once you finish. Oh, and it doesn't end there. It also chops up nuts for all those nutty cookies, muffins, brownies and more.
Food processor
It may not seem like an essential but when it saves you time it will. A food processor can be used to make the pastry, mix cake batter, chop nuts and puree fruit. It kind of does the hard work for you. Just make sure the one is you grab is easy to clean.
If you want to go beyond having the right tools and get the right knowledge too, Centennial College can help you make a career out of baking with its Baking and Pastry Arts Management program, which only takes two years to complete and includes lots of hands-on training.
By Izabela Szydlo