12 Must-Have Baking Tools Our Editors Swear By

Shop the baking products that HGTV staffers always use to create professional-level pastries and bread at home, from kitchen scales to cupcake liners.

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April 30, 2020

Few things soothe the soul like a fresh batch of cookies or a warm loaf of bread — homemade, of course. When we're feeling domestic or just in need of a pick-me-up, our staff frequently turns to baking for comfort and as an outlet for creativity. After many years experimenting with and perfecting recipes, there are a few tried-and-true tools we rely on for expert results. Shop our editor-approved baking must-haves below.

$29.95

"I received this rolling pin as a gift last year, and I honestly don't remember how I ever lived without it. If you're into baking pastries, pies or anything else that requires rolling out dough, hear me when I say you definitely need this. Fill the roller with flour and easily flip it over to shake out flour when the dough or countertop gets too sticky. Bonus: It's made of stoneware, so it helps keep the dough cool for better baking results." — Farima Alavi, Editorial Assistant

"To get the most consistent baking results, it's best to measure by the weight of your ingredients rather than the volume — many baking recipes will provide both measurements and a small digital kitchen scale makes that simple without taking up much space. I've got a 12-year-old digital scale that's hanging tough, but if it ever bites the dust I'm getting this OXO scale with a pull-out display. If you're weighing something in a large mixing bowl on a small digital scale it can be hard to read the display, so the pull-out display makes the OXO scale stand out from its competition." Beth Rucker, Digital Assets Manager

$13.99 (Set of 2)

"With 4.7/5 stars and more than 15,000 reviews, it's obvious I'm not the only one who loves these baking mats. After trying to eliminate aluminum foil in the kitchen, I bought this set of mats and haven't looked back. They're always dirty because I use them for everything — French fries, bacon, cookies, garlic bread, you name it. Plus, it means I spend way less time scrubbing a baking sheet and more time, well, eating." Kayla Kitts, Managing Editor

$34.99 $25

"Honestly, this seemed too good to be true when I bought it: A KitchenAid paddle attachment that scrapes the bowl as you mix?! I can confirm, though, that it legit works. It cuts out the step of stopping the mixer to scrape the bowl, meaning you get cookies more quickly and with less hassle. I think we can call agree that's a total win." Liz Gray, Producer

$25.99

"I didn't know these existed until I spotted cooking-show contestants using them. I love to bake — and have the burn marks up and down both wrists to prove it — so this has been a game-changer for pulling hot dishes and large trays of cookies out of the oven." Mariel Clark, VP Editorial & Programming

$14.95

"A simple cookie scoop is the handiest little tool to have if you're into baking cookies. Whether you're making dough from scratch or using a pre-made mix, having a scoop makes the process easier and less messy. Plus, your cookies will all be a uniform size. You can also use it to scoop melons, butter, soft ice cream, etc." Jackie McGilvray, Editor

$9.99

"At first glance, it's nothing revolutionary, but I bought a nice balloon whisk. My last metal whisk was cheap, and it fell apart in the dishwasher. My backup whisk was a plastic one, and it took me a long time to replace it, but I'm glad I did. I can really tell the difference with the new whisk. So far, I've made custard for a tiramisu, melted down some chocolate, various salad dressings and a hollandaise sauce — you can really see the air being whipped into whatever you're making, and it's much easier to work with than the rigid plastic one I had been using." Jessica Yonker, Online Editor

$36.99

"This thing is so cool. I really didn't want to invest in a bread maker, but wanted something that helped make baking bread a little easier. What I love about this tool is you literally use it as the bowl to mix the ingredients in, then you shape it and bake it in the same thing. The shape comes out great, and the bread is really delicious. Plus, it comes with a little cookbook that gets you started off on some easy bread recipes." — Karen Webb, Associate Producer

$19.99

"My new favorite baking tool is this textured nonstick carbon steel pan from the Food Network line at Kohl's that's great for baking cookies. The small grooves on the base encourage airflow for a more even bake. The texture and nonstick reinforced coating means food also comes up much easier, leaving behind less mess to clean. This pan is sturdy, and I find that it hasn't warped like my thinner baking pans have. It's heat safe up to 450 degrees, and while hand washing is recommended, a quick rinse and scrub usually does the trick." Laura James, Editor

$15.99 (Pack of 200)

"I love these liners for cupcakes and muffins because they elevate baking, making baked goods look more 'artisanal' and less 'bake sale.' They're also taller than regular cupcake liners, so baked goods don't end up looking too overfilled with the dreaded spilling-over-the-sides muffin top." Felicia Feaster, Managing Editor

$49.99 $35

"My KitchenAid Hand Mixer is an easy go-to that I use on all kinds of sweet and savory concoctions. My favorite thing to whip up is homemade cream cheese frosting." Lauren Fansler, Editor

"My husband is the baker in the family. He has been making sourdough for about eight months. He's been having some trouble with maintaining a steady temperature for the dough as he works into a bake, so he has purchased this lovely [machine.] ... [H]e purchased this over other options [because] it folds flat. It also is a slow cooker, and he's going to start trying to make his own Greek yogurt as well." Michele Purcell, Executive Producer

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