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Gear guide

What you need to start baking

Cookies, breads, cakes, pies, muffins and bars all lean on the same short list of tools. These are the ones our baking recipes use most, ranked by how many of them need each item. Start here and add the extras when a recipe calls for them.

Counted across our 47 baking recipes. The ranking counts how many of our recipes use each item; it isn't a product test or review.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Brands are suggestions; any similar item works.

  1. Measuring cups and spoons

    Needed in 46 of 47 recipes (98%)

    Accurate dry measures for baking.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Measuring cups and spoons (opens Amazon)

  2. Nesting mixing bowls

    Needed in 45 of 47 recipes (96%)

    A few sizes cover mixing, marinating and proofing.

    Suggested: Pyrex

    See price on Amazon: Nesting mixing bowls (opens Amazon)

  3. Balloon whisk

    Needed in 32 of 47 recipes (68%)

    Smooth batters and sauces with no lumps.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Balloon whisk (opens Amazon)

  4. Wire cooling rack

    Needed in 31 of 47 recipes (66%), nice to have in 15 more

    Air underneath keeps bottoms crisp instead of soggy.

    Suggested: Checkered Chef

    See price on Amazon: Wire cooling rack (opens Amazon)

  5. Parchment paper sheets

    Needed in 28 of 47 recipes (60%), nice to have in 3 more

    Nothing sticks and cleanup takes seconds.

    Suggested: Reynolds

    See price on Amazon: Parchment paper sheets (opens Amazon)

  6. Silicone spatula

    Needed in 23 of 47 recipes (49%)

    Scrapes every bit out of the bowl and handles heat.

    Suggested: GIR

    See price on Amazon: Silicone spatula (opens Amazon)

  7. Half sheet pan

    Needed in 21 of 47 recipes (45%), nice to have in 1 more

    Heavy aluminum bakes evenly and won't warp in a hot oven.

    Suggested: Nordic Ware

    See price on Amazon: Half sheet pan (opens Amazon)

  8. Hand mixer

    Needed in 17 of 47 recipes (36%), nice to have in 1 more

    Whips cream and creams butter without a big machine.

    Suggested: Cuisinart

    See price on Amazon: Hand mixer (opens Amazon)

  9. 8-inch chef's knife

    Needed in 14 of 47 recipes (30%)

    One sharp knife handles most prep.

    Suggested: Victorinox

    See price on Amazon: 8-inch chef's knife (opens Amazon)

  10. Rolling pin

    Needed in 9 of 47 recipes (19%)

    Even thickness for crusts and cut-out cookies.

    Suggested: J.K. Adams

    See price on Amazon: Rolling pin (opens Amazon)

  11. Liquid measuring cup

    Needed in 8 of 47 recipes (17%), nice to have in 1 more

    Read liquids at eye level for the right amount.

    Suggested: Pyrex

    See price on Amazon: Liquid measuring cup (opens Amazon)

  12. 9x5 loaf pan

    Needed in 7 of 47 recipes (15%)

    The standard size most quick bread and sandwich loaf recipes expect.

    Suggested: USA Pan

    See price on Amazon: 9x5 loaf pan (opens Amazon)

Nice to have later

These show up in the same recipes, but more often as optional than as needed.

How we count

Every Simmerbee recipe lists the gear it uses, and marks the extras that help but aren't required as "nice to have". This list counts the recipes that need each item and ranks the items by that count. As recipes are added, the counts update on their own.

More gear guides

Starter kitchen: the 15 things you'll use mostHoliday baking kitSmall-kitchen essentialsAll kitchen gear