My Cake Baking Tools and Utensils

Many of you might be waiting for the first cake recipe - but please hold on... I want to first give a little introduction on the tools and utensils, which I use in a regular basis. This post is mainly for the beginners and new-comers in the world of baking. You can start to invest in these most basic items, to start your baking journey with me. I would also like to mention that I am too trying to build up my stock, so whatever I am showing in this post is not all-inclusive. The more you build up your stock, the more variety of cakes, you can work on. Currently, I am in search of a perfect set of cake icing tool and when I get it, I'll surely keep you all updated. :)

Cake Baking Tins: This is the most basic thing, you will need. Yes, you can make microwave cakes in coffee mug, but that's not a proper cake. These tins are available in most of the common grocery stores like Big Bazar, Star Bazar, Spar, Spencers etc. You will get these in a variety of shape. To start with, you can buy one 7" or 9" circular shaped tins. A 9" cake is perfect for 8-10 people. However, if you want to start experimenting with shapes then there are various shapes like square, star, flower etc.

Wooden Spatula: A wooden spatula is perfect for mixing the dry mixture and later the batter. This is also available in most of the utensils stores. You can easily pick this up.

Hand Whisks: When I was trying my hands in baking, I didn't have any plan to invest in a electric-run hand mixer. So I started with this one. The beginners, who just want to have some cake baking experience, for them this is a nice alternative. Make sure you are not tired or impatient - because blending egg and sugar using a hand whisks - is quite a job! And also don't blame me, if you need to apply pain-killer ointment in your arm, after the whisking job! :) Here, I must admit one thing - when I used to work with this... my daughters took a great part in whisking the egg with their super enthusiasm, so I never had to apply pain-killer ointment... :)

The above 3 items are a-must for baking. But I have few more items to share with you...

Silicon Cup Cake Molds: These are available in a variety of shapes and colors. The silicon-ones are easy to clean and use, however you can buy the metal versions, as well. The blue-colored muffin pan, I bought from a utensil shop at MG Road, Pune. That time I was quite surprised to find these silicon versions. The single cupcake molds are my latest captures, from the famous Dorabjee's store. This store is a gold-mine for bakers like me. I make a point to visit this place religiously, almost once in every month.

Spring Form Cake Baking Pan: The spring form pans are most useful for cheesecake. I am yet to use this one, as I am looking for a perfect occasion to bake a cheesecake. Last time I baked a cheesecake, I used my normal baking pan with a layer of aluminum foil and it was little messy. You can use spring form pans, even for regular cakes.

Electric Hand Mixer: This is probably the best buy, as of now. It has become immensely useful from the day I bought it. Be it the batter or icing mix, I use it for every purpose. If you are thinking of serious-baking, then you must go for it. Most of the electronic stores have this. I've got the simplest model from the store - Chroma, and it was not too expensive.

Icing Spatula: This icing spatula is the latest in my stock. This one worked well but I think the metal ones are definitely better than this. If you can get hold of the steel spatulas, then nothing like it. In near future, I am surely going to have a better one. However, to start with, this has been quite good.

The final one is obviously, my microwave. It's a convection one, so it is as good as an oven. For last 5 years, it has been my most faithful part of the kitchen - never betrayed in any cooking project including baking. For personal baking projects, a convection microwave is good enough. If I ever can fulfill my dream, then may be one day I'll go for a proper cake oven. Till then, I'm quite satisfied with the performance of my microwave.

So, I promise - my next blog will be the most basic cake recipe. By then, get ready, at least with the most primary items, so that by next weekend you can enjoy your homemade cake with your family and friends...! :)