5 Baking Essentials for Every Beginner Bake
Baking is not just mixing ingredients together and cooking them at the right temperature. Baking is an art form that requires a lot of dedication and practice. Once you get into the process is a relaxing activity that can help you calm your nerves and forget about anything else. It also increases your creativity and inspires you to create new recipes. Plus, it's not an expensive hobby and you'll get to try so many new flavours. But to do all of this you'll need the right equipment and tools. Start with the basics and then upgrade as you get more experience.
One of the main essentials you should have as a baker should be a pie tin. Who doesn’t love a delicious cherry or apple pie? It takes some time to learn how to make them properly, but with the right pie tin, you’ll be able to practice a lot. When you decide to buy a high-quality pie tin online or at the store, the first thing to consider is the material.
They can be made of steel, cast iron, ceramic, glass, porcelain and metal, and each one of them has its pros and cons. Ceramic pans hold heat, bake the pie evenly, and are well-insulated. Glass allows you to keep an eye on the crust and not overbake it because it’s see-through. Metal is durable, inexpensive and a great heat-conductor. However, this can lead to the crust being done before the filling inside.
Always check if the material is thermal-shock resistant in case you want to cook a frozen pie at some point. Aluminium disposable pies are a practical way to freeze pies or give them as presents. Aluminium is recyclable, however, it has the disadvantage of being a single-use, which makes it a less sustainable product.
The tin’s depth and width are also important. The majority of pans are 2.5-3cm deep. There are ones that can go up to 5cm and they’re good for larger pies and dishes. Keep in mind that a bigger depth means more cooking time. These pans can also vary in diameter. They can range from 20-30cm. Of course, there are smaller and bigger ones, but they’re not that common.
Pans with extra features are also versatile. Get a freezer-safe pan if you want to make pies in advance. Also, see if the pan is microwave-safe in case you want to heat the leftovers. Some tins come with a lid. This makes them great for storing leftovers or taking the pie to a friend. There are pans with crimped edges. As a beginner baker, this is a wonderful way to get ruffled edges.
Baking Pans
The baking pans you’re cooking in are almost as important as the ingredients in your baked goods. Aluminium is a popular material because it’s a great heat conductor and will bake evenly. Aluminised steel is another good option because they’re thicker and more durable. This makes them more expensive but they’re worth the investment.
Glass behaves differently because it’s not a good heat conductor. The pan will get hot but the goods inside won’t bake as fast and can sometimes have overbaked edges. Silicone will leave the bottom of the cookies or brownies not as baked as the top part. Stoneware is not recommended for beginners because can have different consistencies.
If you can, get pans with a non-stick surface. They will make cooking and cleaning much easier. You won’t have to line them with parchment paper or cover them in butter. These pans come in many shapes as well. They can be round, square, rectangular, and of several sizes. Go for pans with straight-sided so you get a sturdier structure when you’re stacking that cake.
Ramekins
When you’re shopping for a pie tin online, look for some ramekins as well. They're small, multi-purpose dishes that can be very practical and help you develop as a baker. The main material between them is the material they’re made of. Porcelain is the most popular choice because it heats up evenly and makes evenly-cooked goods.
Stoneware ones look more rustic and retain heat longer. This way the dishes you serve won’t get cold fast. Ramekins are good for desserts and appetizers. You can use them for individual servings or as a decorative element. They can be round, square and oval and come in many sizes. The smaller ones are good for serving condiments and the larger ones can fit an individual serving of a dish.
Rilling Pin
Every baker knows how important rolling pins are for baking. There are many types of rolling pins on the market, and which one you choose is solely based on your personal preferences. The first thing to consider is the pin’s shape:
- Handheld – has two handles, very traditional;
- Handle-free – no handle, easy to control;
- Tapered – has tapered ends, looks elegant, easy to roll;
- Dowel – straight pin, thick and simple.
Rolling pins can be made of wood, silicone, marble, ceramic, metal, nylon and acrylic. Wooden pins are a classic. They're most popular because they’re durable and don’t conduct heat. Marble has a wonderful aesthetics but it’s very heavy and can squeeze your dough and it won’t look good in the pie pan. Ceramic pins are a good colourful gift because they’re often ornately painted.
Silicone has a non-stick surface and it’s easy to clean. Metal pins are also easy to clean but can conduct heat, which is not a good idea when working with dough. Nylon and acrylic pins are usually smaller and are often used to make the decorative elements for baked goods. They're also lightweight and have a non-stick surface.
Cookie Cutters
Cookie cutters are there to help you develop and accentuate your creative side. They come in so many shapes and sizes that it’s impossible to choose just a few. They're often made of metal and are very sturdy and durable. There are plastic cutters as well but they’re often of lower quality. There are even cutters with handles that can be very helpful if you’re making big batches of cookies.
