The holiday baking season is upon us! Do you have what you need to make an easy task of all those cookies, cakes and pies? The fact is, just like with anything, having the right tools makes a world of difference. And the same is true for baking.
I know a thing or two about not having the right tools. I spent years baking with just what I had on hand- a hodgepodge of pans, utensils, tools and ‘whats its.’ There was nothing wrong with it. It’s just what a person did.
Need to frost a cake? Just grab a rubber spatula or a butter knife. No biggie, right? It worked. Sorta. I didn’t always get the results I wanted, tasks were harder than they had to be, more frustrating, and they took so. much. longer. than they should have. Baking wasn’t always fun.
Who wants that during the holidays? Or any time for that matter. There’s nothing like the feeling when cookies slide right off the sheet, cakes shimmy perfectly out their pans and you have exactly what you need to spread a whipped frosting with swirls and peaks like you’ve been doing it forever. Most of the time it’s not the know-how that we lack; it’s just a few little things here and there to eliminate the struggle.
Below, I’ve put together a list of my 18 absolute must-have essentials to take the headache out of holiday baking. There are pans, baking sheets, pie plates, cooling wracks, tools and other life savers that I depend on to make my time in the kitchen a success. Plus, towards the end of the list, you’ll find those things that you need to successfully serve and show off all your hard work. Don’t skimp on that step! You’re hard work deserves it!
My 15 Holiday Baking Essentials
Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Cookie Baking Sheets Set, 2-Piece
These cookie sheets cook evenly for perfectly golden brown cookie bottoms and cookies slide right off every time! They are what I use when I bake everyone's favorite Neiman Marcus Cookies.
Elite Bakeware 3 Piece NonStick Cake Pans Set with Silicone Handles
Commercial grade cake pans stand up over time. Cakes don't stick, and the handles make it easy to pull the cakes from the oven and turn them out onto cooling wracks. The handles are a must! Mamaw's German Chocolate Cake is a no fail recipe with these!
Wilton Perfect Results Large Nonstick Loaf Pan
For starters, this large loaf pan is perfect for banana, zucchini and lemon breads. I have two so that I can make a bread to keep and a loaf to share. Again, non-stick for the win! A must for Sweet Potato Pound Cake!
Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Muffin Pan, 6-Cup
No, this is not a Wilton sponsored post, but I do love their products and always have success with them. This is a JUMBO muffin pan. It turns out spectacular rolls, muffins and cupcakes like my my Cobblestone Apple Muffins.
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Bakeware 9-Inch Tube Cake Pan
When thinking bundt cake, you don't have to struggle with all those fluted designs and ridge that can stick and tear your cake. A tube pan can be a life saver and just as pretty! Mamaw's Fresh Apple Cake is the perfect recipe for this pan!
Wilton Recipe Right Non-Stick 13 x 9-Inch Covered Oblong Baking Pan, Set of 2 Pans with Lids
Baking a sheet cake, then taking it to that potluck? These are your pans! You are going to love the air tight lid. Perfect for Buttermilk Chocolate Sheet Cake, but also a no fail choice for taking Strawberry Jello Salad to that family dinner.
Pyrex - 9.5 Glass Pie Plates
Heavy duty glass pie plates are always winners. The glass plate makes it easy to see if your crust is done on the bottom. No one likes a soggy crust! And again, handles for ease! Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie is a must in these!
Silpat Silicone Baking Mat with Storage Band
Last Christmas, The Engineer gave me these baking mats. Hands down, they are one of the best things I have in my kitchen. I NEVER have to worry about anything every sticking again, plus clean up is a snap! Sausage & Cream Cheese Hand Pies bake up nicely on these, and they are a MUST for Apple Spice Caramel Corn.
Wilton Industries Perfect Results Mega Cooling Rack, Black
These are the perfect size for cooling 18- 2 dozen cookies. I can't help but to have 2-3 in my cabinets!
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
What can I say? I use this for everything. There is nothing like turning it on and letting it do the work while you wash up or prepare other parts of your recipe!
Flex Edge Beater Stand Mixer
My mom bought me one of these for my stand mixer, and I rarely use anything else. It actually scrapes the sides of the bowl for you as it mixes. Genius!
Professional Stainless Steel Cookie Scoop
Yes, you can use a regular spoon, but it is not quick and it is messy. This time saver will be your favorite!
Wilton Dessert Decorator Plus Cake Decorating Tool, Cake Icing Tool
Just when I think I couldn't love a kitchen tool more, I come across something like this. I cannot explain how EASY this makes anything to do with piping or fillings. Just squeeze the trigger. It's that simple. No Bake Pumpkin Pie Bites
Dough & Bowl Scrapers
I still use rubber spatulas, but not as often as I use these bowl scrapers. There is absolutely nothing that can scrap a bowl of batter clean like these work horses.
Cake Turntable with Angled Icing Spatula and 3 Comb Icing Smoother, Silicon Spatula
Let's talk TWO things here- 1) the turntable 2) the off set spatula. Frosting a cake will never be the same with these handy tools. The turntable makes it easy to turn the cake while you frost for a smooth and continuous finish. Secondly, the offset spatula is THE tool for the perfect frosting finish. Southern Salted Caramel Cake
Cake Knife and Server
Once you finish your masterpiece, it's important to have the right tools to cut and serve it. No more cake slicing disasters!
Locking Travel Dessert Dome
Sometimes you have to carry your cakes, pies and cookies to family dinner, potlucks, and friend's homes. This travel carrier has a domed cover and locking handles to keep your picture perfect frostings and meringues secure.
Footed Cake Stand with Glass Dome
Your hard work deserves to be shown off. Give it a place of honor on the buffet or table. There is nothing like a gorgeous pedestal for serving and enjoying holiday baking.
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