Back to basics: Baking tools

HAVE you ever wondered which cup should you use when a recipe calls for a cup of sugar? Or what are the basic tools when baking a cake?

A successful baker must have the right equipment to transform raw ingredients into a perfect cake. Here are some basic tools that you will need to get some baking done.

Cake mixers

If you want to make cakes often, invest in a heavy duty mixer as it is a worthwhile buy. Make sure it has a whisk, a dough hook and a paddle attachment. A handheld mixer is handy for fillings and beating eggs but it cannot take heavy duty mixing.

Measuring cups and spoons

These come in standard sizes. Your teacup or the coffee teaspoon aren't the right tools. Cups and spoons are available in standard sizes, making measuring small amounts more accurate.

Mixing bowls

If you do not have a cake mixer, you can always mix the batter the old-fashioned way. Get a mixing bowl and whisk away the ingredients.

Wooden spoons

They come in handy when not using an electric mixer to mix the ingredients together.

Spatula

Useful when scraping batter from the mixing bowl.

Oven

All ovens are different. Get to know your oven well. Accurate oven temperature is an important factor to the success of a of a cake. Test oven temperature with an oven thermometer.

Scales

Get an accurate set of scales for good and consistent result. Common kitchen scales are the digital and spring scales. A digital scale is advised for those who have difficulty in reading measurement from manual scales. If you decide on a digital scale, look for one which is able to switch from grams to ounces.

Sieves

They will remove any lumps in flour or icing sugar. Sieves are used to aerate flour which in turn makes cake lighter.

Cake tins

They come in various shapes and sizes. You can buy the basic tins and rent odd-shaped tins to save space. Check with you local baking supply store to see if they rent tins.

Greaseproof paper

Line tins to prevent cakes from sticking to the pan.

Oven gloves

It is essential that you have a good set of gloves when removing anything hot from the oven.

Wire racks

Once your cakes are out from the oven, you need to cool them on wire racks. They allow cakes to breathe.

Timer

A reliable timer is important to know when a cake is done.

Cake tester

It is inserted into the centre of the cake as a test for doneness. If you do not have a cake tester, a toothpick will do the trick.

Cake boards

You will need a board to place your cake on before it can be decorated. Thick boards are for large and heavy cakes. Thin ones for lighter cakes.

Apron

Very important to have to protect your clothing.

The Star/ANN