Shug’s Top 10 Baking Gadgets

Today, I’m sharing with y’all my all-time favorite baking gadgets. I swear by all of these items on the list and use them regularly in my own kitchen. Whether you’re an old pro, or a kitchen novice, these tools can help elevate your skills. For convenience, I’ve added the Amazon links directly so you can easily purchase by clicking on the photos! Put on your aprons and put your hair in a bun, let’s get to baking.

1. Silpat Silicon Baking Mats

It was love at first batch with my Silpat baking mat. I LOVE these for baking cookies because they help prevent burned bottoms and keep the cookies from spreading too much or sticking. I also use mine for rolling out delicate pie dough and making biscuits. Guess what? They’re dishwasher safe – I just roll them up and put them on the bottom rack. I have four of these, and when the holiday cookie season hits, I’m always thankful I have extras. Every home baker needs a baking mat, or two.

2. Microplane

Every time I unload my dishwater, my microplane is always in there – I seriously use this gadget all the time. I use it for zesting lemons, oranges, limes, and grating whole nutmeg, garlic, and even ginger. Never grated your own nutmeg for a recipe? Try it – whole nutmeg is found on most baking aisles with all the spices and herbs. It’s relatively inexpensive and is a game-changer for spice cakes like my Apple Cake and homemade béchamel sauce.

3. Spatula for Mixing Bowl

This is a real good spatula. I have the red version of this spatula (to match my stand mixer), and these KitchenAid ones are made specifically for the mixing bowls in their stand mixers. I’m loving this minty Tiffany blue color. Every kitchen needs a few good spatulas!

4. Cookie Scoop

I’ve had this cookie scoop since 2006. I use it for cookies, filling cupcake/muffin tins, meat balls, coconut macaroons, and ice cream. You’ll find many cheaper options out there, but you’ll get what you pay for. The cheaper ones tend to get stuck/clamp up when you’re trying to scoop anything super cold, like chilled cookie dough or ice cream. The medium size (18/8) is just right for almost all of your baking needs.

5. Small Food Chopper

I’ve owned this inexpensive Black & Decker chopper since I was in high school. Mama actually had the exact same one for years. I use mine for giving nuts a quick chop, making a puree of berries, or finely chopping pimentos for homemade pimento cheese like Mama made.

6. Brown Sugar Bear

Mama got me one of these years ago, and it’s a game-changer. Ya know how brown sugar (especially dark brown sugar) gets really clumpy and hard and is difficult to scoop & measure? These little ceramic brown sugar bears maintain the moisture in your brown sugar so it does not dry out, i.e., becoming hard and clumped! They’re cheap and they work extremely well.

7. Good Whisks

I like to have several different sizes of whisks in my kitchen. Whether you’re doing serious baking and mixing, or making a bunch of omelettes, it never hurts to have an extra whisk. I’m a big fan of the silicon because it will not scratch your pans. Plus, how cute are the color options?!

8. Pastry Cutter

I have this OXO pastry cutter and I love it. If you ever make biscuits, pie crust, scones, or anything that requires “cutting” butter into your dry ingredients, then you need this in your gadget drawer.

9. Lemon/Citrus Press

Every kitchen needs a lemon press! I love the flavor of fresh squeezed lemon juice on almost everything, but I loathe digging out seeds. This citrus press does all the hard work by holding onto the seeds and getting out way more juice than squeezing by hand. Also, nothing beats fresh squeezed lemon, orange, or lime juice in a cocktail :).

10. Silicon Brush

I love my silicon kitchen brushes because they’re super easy to clean and dishwasher safe. I use mine for adding an egg wash to baked goods, drizzling glazes, and brushing sauce onto meats and veggies while grilling. They’re one of those gadgets you won’t use everyday, but you’re so glad to have it when you need it!

Are there any must-have kitchen tools you recommend?! I’d love to hear what everyone else uses! Cheers to more baking adventures.

From Asheville, with love,

-Shug

Life is what you bake of it.