You don't need to buy high-end baking tools to become a baker. They can be from the dollar store. Honestly, as long as you have the following items, you can learn to make delicious desserts for your family, your friends or just yourself.

Mixer (can be a stand-up or a hand-held)

If you want to invest in a sturdy stand-up mixer, do it. Makes life as a baker so much easier. I highly recommend KitchenAid, Cuisinart or Hamilton Beach. KitchenAid is superior in my opinion. However, as you are getting started, a hand-held mixer will do the job. As you advance in your baking skills, a stand-up mixer will help you create everything you want.

Amazon affiliate link to the hand-held mixer I have: https://amzn.to/4d4U15y

Bowls of different sizes

Some recipes call for more than one bowl to be used at once so having at least two, maybe three mixing bowls on hand, will be useful.

Measuring cups and spoons

You need at least two full sets of cups and spoons -- one for dry ingredients and one for wet. You never want to use a wet spoon to measuring baking soda/powder. It's a pain when you measure flour or sugar and some of it sticks to the measuring cup because you just used it to measure oil. 

Amazon affiliate link to my favorite measuring spoons: https://amzn.to/47xo98y

Lots of spatulas

Scraping bowls is part of your life as a baker. You gotta get used to it. 

Silicone cake knife

I found these by accident and now I don't know how I lived without them. When you are cutting brownies or a cake, you don't want to scratch your pan, so this comes in handy.

Amazon affiliate link to some I have: 

8 by 8 or a 6 by 6 square baking pan

Some recipes are particular but make sure you read the recipe to see what pan it calls for. You can get away with having only one of these. You might have to bake the dessert a little longer or shorten the time. Use your best judgement.

Amazon affiliate link to one I have: https://amzn.to/4etuLHm

Round cake pan

This is used for cakes, typically. However, you will need more than one if you want to make a layered cake. 

Loaf pan

So many delicious breads are made in a loaf pan including pumpkin bread, zucchini bread and banana bread. You might need two of these since most recipes make enough batter for two loaves.

Wire rack

This is where you leave cookies and cakes to cool. Sometimes if you leave them in the pan or on the sheet, they stick and therefore makes your life harder trying to scrape them off. 

Amazon affiliate link to the ones I have: https://amzn.to/3XxH8eJ

Muffin pan

This isn't just for muffins. You can create mini cheesecakes, quiches or just about anything.

Cookie sheet

Having two of these would be best. Buy light-colored ones; the darker they are, faster your cookies are destined to be burned. 

Parchment paper/Baking Mat 

Either one is fine to put on your cookie sheets when baking. If you're trying to be cautious of the amount of trash coming out of your household, then baking mats will be your ideal. They make clean up a whole lot easier.

Amazon affiliate link to the ones similar to what I have: https://amzn.to/3XxBvNm

Wooden spoon

Mixing ingredients such as heavy dough, this bad boy makes that job easy peasy.

Wisk

Many times, the recipe tells you to wisk the dry ingredients together or beat the eggs. This tool will help you do just that.

Now that you have the essentials, you are on your way to becoming a sassy baker! Can't wait to see what you create!

Sincerely,

The Sassy Baker