From Prep to Presentation: 25 Must-Haves for Better Home Baking

Whether you’re stocking a new kitchen or upgrading your gear, these 25 editor-approved essentials—from precise prep tools and versatile bakeware to showpiece serveware—make every stage of baking easier, more rewarding, and more delicious.

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Baking can often be more of a science than an art: The precise chemical reactions, ingredient ratios, and strict cook times are sometimes tricky to master. But once you get the technique just right, the end result is oh-so-satisfying. From our favorite mixers and bowls to nonstick pans, tins, measuring devices, and more, we’ve rounded up the best baking tools and supplies to help turn kitchen experiments into foolproof masterpieces. Keep scrolling to discover all the essential baking tools to gear up for baking success!

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A quality zester makes short work of finely grating hard spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, star anise, and dried chiles, as well as softer things like garlic and citrus zest. This pro-caliber tool from Microplane has super sharp steel blades and an ergonomic handle—plus, it’s dishwasher safe.

Whether it’s a classic apple pie or something more creative, this beautiful ceramic dish from Emile Henry goes straight from oven to table and has an elegant design available in a range of colors. Made in France from Burgundy clay, it offers superior heat diffusion and retention, ensuring pies bake evenly and stay warm longer once served. Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, it’s a timeless staple for every baker’s kitchen.

Caraway’s nonstick oven pans are as stylish as they are practical—perfect for cookies, tortilla chips, veggies, oil-free granola, crispy tofu, hearty sheet-pan dinners, and lots more. Your food bakes evenly, releases easily, and tastes fantastic—no oil required. Plus, the ceramic coating is completely nontoxic, so you can cook with confidence. Use code FORKS10 for 10% off your entire order.

With its long handle, this flexible silicone scraper helps you scoop out the very last bit of jam or nut butter without getting your fingers sticky. It’s also handy for spreading frosting on mini cupcakes or reaching into tight corners of jars and containers. Sturdy enough to hold its shape, yet flexible enough to glide into every nook, this durable, dishwasher-safe tool is a small but mighty addition to any kitchen.

Every kitchen needs a trusty set of mixing bowls, and this trio has you covered for jobs big and small. Lightweight yet durable, they’re easy to handle whether you’re whisking on the counter or mixing as you move around the kitchen. With flat bottoms for stability and dishwasher-safe convenience, these long-lasting stainless steel bowls are as practical as they are versatile.

This set of silicone spatulas will see you through every kind of kitchen task—scooping, stirring, and mixing—while being safe to use on hot pans. Built with a heavy-duty stainless steel core, each spatula has just the right weight and balance, making it comfortable to hold and a pleasure to use. Choose the full set of five or the smaller set of three to suit your needs—either way, you’ll always have the right tool at hand (and a spare ready for a helper in the kitchen).

Made from durable stainless steel, this cooling rack quickly and evenly cools cookies, muffins, cakes, and more, keeping bottoms crisp instead of soggy. Sized to nest perfectly into Caraway’s nonstick baking tray for easy storage, it also doubles as an insert for roasting root vegetables, allowing complete airflow for even cooking.

In addition to making any recipe look spectacular, fluted bundt pans help dense cake batters (many vegan recipes fall into this category) cook all the way through. This high-quality Boxiki pan has a steel frame to keep it from wobbling when filled with batter, while the silicone mold releases finished cake with ease. BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.

Use a kitchen thermometer to make sure your plant milk is heated to just the right temperature for activating yeast without killing it. While there are cheaper options out there, the ThermoPop 2 gets high marks for precision (an important trait in a thermometer), so we think it’s worth the extra spend. Each unit is individually tested and certified for accuracy. The auto-rotating display makes it easy to read temps from any angle.

Parchment paper is a must for oil-free baking—but beware: many brands hide “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in their coatings. According to consumer-advocacy expert Leah Segedie, the natural pre-cut sheets from King Arthur are among the safest options.

Some kitchen tasks just can’t be done quickly or easily by hand. (Aquafaba whipped cream, anyone?) That’s when an electric mixer comes in handy. Look around any professional kitchen and you’ll probably see a KitchenAid stand mixer among the equipment. We like the Artisan version, which blends pro-level power with home kitchen convenience.

Muffins and cupcakes are particularly prone to sticking, even when you grease the pan. Flexible silicone solves the problem without any grease at all. With a metal-reinforced frame, this tray is sturdy enough to slide in and out of the oven without wobbling, while the flexible silicone makes releasing muffins simple and mess-free. Practical, durable, and easy to clean, this two-pan set is a must-have for any baker.

If the price point and kitchen space required of a stand mixer are out of the question, this hand mixer gets high marks for its powerful motor that makes short work of heavy-duty tasks. It’s a mixing essential for bakers with limited space who still want to whip up impressive treats.

Dishwasher-safe stainless steel won’t crack or get bent out of shape with constant use. Metric equivalents are marked on all the handles of these measuring cups and spoons, making for easy conversions. Bonus: The spoons nest neatly together, thanks to magnetic grips.

Homemade crumbles, cobblers, and casseroles deserve to be showcased in a dish that’s beautiful enough to go from oven to table. Le Creuset’s eye-catching baker comes in a rainbow of gorgeous colors and will last a lifetime.

A shallow tart pan with a removable-bottom is a dream for oil-free baking because it provides easier access when unmolding. This pan is made in France with nonstick-coated steel and has a removable bottom. Gobel tart pans are built to last, and the 9.5-inch size can be used for most recipes that call for traditional 8- or 9-inch pie pans.

These home-baking essentials make oil-free layer cakes, including birthday cake, a no-fuss reality. The 100% silicone pans withstand temperatures as high as 500°F and release finished cakes with ease so your bakes always come out looking pristine.

Six ounces is just the right size for single-serving desserts—hot or cold. Simple and elegant, these porcelain ramekins are restaurant-supply quality and can safely go in the oven, microwave, and freezer.

Angled measuring cups let you see measurements from the side and above for less uncomfortable bending and squinting as you bake. This three-piece set from OXO gets consistently high marks for precision from baking experts.

Scoops are the solution for no-mess prep and perfect-looking baked goods. Medium  (1½-tablespoon) scoops are ideal for cookies and mini muffins, while large (ice cream size) scoops fill muffin tins without drips. We like the sturdy construction and comfortable grip of Jenaluca’s scoops. The elegant packaging makes them great as gifts, too.

Make the switch from unwieldy old-fashioned batter bowls to a lighter model with a handle, spout, and lid. This Anchor Hocking bowl features a pourable spout; measure markings in cups and ounces, and a BPA-free plastic lid so that you can stash batters in the fridge, no plastic wrap needed.

A well-made wire whisk will last a lifetime and can be used to combine dry ingredients as well as mix, whip, and stir wet mixtures and batters. The OXO whisk has a comfortable, easy-grip handle that stays cool when using it over the stove.

Give homemade baked goods the love they deserve by pulling out a dedicated serving set when it’s time to cut them. The sharp, serrated knife in the Lenox server set gives this two-piece bundle an edge over other cake servers.

A tiered stand turns anything you put on it into a luscious display while making more room for treats on the counter or table. Lighter than a glass or ceramic stand, the Nambé Portables Tiered Dessert Stand goes with any decor—and even fits in on an outdoor patio as you display summertime desserts.

Silicone pan liners aren’t just for baking; they can turn any sheet pan into a nonstick roaster for savory foods as well. The fiberglass mesh built into these Silpat mats promotes even heat distribution and makes it stronger than silicone-only liners.