A Newbie's Guide to Baking Essentials

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New to baking? We've listed the baking gear you will need to get started!
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1. Rubber Spatula
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You will come across countless recipes that read something like, "Scrape down the sides of the bowl." A rubber or silicone spatula will flawlessly get this job done for you. It's also great for folding in last-step ingredients into your batter.
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2. Liquid and dry measuring cups and spoons
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Take note! You need different measuring tools for your wet and dry ingredients. Baking is all about precision-be sure you use the correct measuring tools for different kinds of ingredients.
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3. Electric hand mixer
Skip the bicep work-out and get one of these for all your whipping, creaming, and mixing needs. But hey, if you're ready for the Big Leagues, grab a spoon and muscle your way by hand.
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4. Metal and glass mixing bowls
You need metal bowls for when you are using a hand mixer so that the bowls do not get scraped by the mixer. Heatproof glass mixing bowls are perfect for melting chocolate-place a glass bowl over a small pot of gently simmering water to create a makeshift double-boiler.
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5. Parchment paper
Have no fear of cookies and cakes getting stuck to your pans! Parchment paper will have your goodies sliding right off. It makes cleaning up much easier, too.
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6. Ice cream scoop
Did you know using an ice cream scoop for your batter fills up cupcake tins perfectly? You could also use one for even and consistently sized cookies.
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7. Sieve
A sieve is ideal for getting rid of lumps in your flour, baking soda, and baking powder to get a smooth and even batter. You may also use it for dusting your goodies in icing sugar!
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8. Wire whisk
A wire whisk does everything from whipping up egg whites to aerating your dry ingredients. Look for a silicone one-this type will not scrape the bottoms of your pots when you make pastry cream or citrus curds.
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9. Cookie sheets
Find a cookie sheet that is sturdy and durable. Aluminum ones conduct heat well and do not rust. You'll be a cookie queen (or king) in no time!
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10. Baking tins
The standard sizes for cake pans are 8 or 9-inch round pans. Light colored tins are better for evenly-baked cakes.
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11. Wire Rack
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This is an absolute essential if you want to get the right texture for your baked masterpieces (yes, be proud of your work!)-let your cookies and cakes cool down on a rack to prevent them from getting soggy.
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Images from Williams-Sonoma, Pinterest