The best baking tools for fans of 'The Great British Baking Show’
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The world has turned to two things for comfort during this long pandemic winter: baking and binge-worthy TV shows. 'The Great British Baking Show' on Netflix satisfies both cravings, each season following 12 self-taught bakers competing for the title of Britain’s best amateur baker through 10 weeks of mouth-watering competition. While most competition shows are grueling and contentious, 'The Great British Baking Show' leaves you more tranquil than you were before watching. With contestants so friendly they're actually sharing ingredients with their competition, bubbly background music, and a host (for some seasons) with the name Mary Berry, you're hard-pressed to find a more relaxing show.
Unfortunately, the next season isn't coming until this spring which means that you'll have to get your fix of GBBS some other way. Enter: quarantine baking. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your skills to one day become "GBBS Star Baker" or simply trying to pass time this winter, these products tested by our cooking experts will help you to bake like the pros.
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1. The best stand & hand mixer
Quality stand and hand mixers can save you a whole lot of time and physical labor. The KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer has been a staple in homes for years and is loved by many (including the late Julia Child!) for not only its distinct look and vibrant colors, but because it’s the highest-performing stand mixer that money can buy. We proved this when we tested the KitchenAid against other popular stand mixers and it came out on top.
If you don't want to spend the money on a KitchenAid, as they are quite pricey, a hand mixer is a great alternative. The top pick that we tested is the Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer with Storage Case.
Get the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer from KitchenAid for $399.99
Get the Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer with Storage Case from Amazon for $79.95
2. The best mixing bowls
Whether you’re throwing all of your ingredients together or mixing them thoroughly, you need a reliable bowl. When we tested mixing bowls, the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls were our top choice. They’re light enough to move around easily and with one hand, but they have enough weight to hold them in place when you require minimal movement. Not to mention, they come with very convenient air-tight plastic lids so each bowl doubles as a storage container.
Get the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids, Set of 3 from Amazon for $31.99
3. The best measuring cups & spoons
Baking is a science that requires the utmost precision. That’s why you need to use the best measuring tools. The best dry measuring cups we tested are made by Bellemain out of stainless steel. They're easy to use, easy to read, and outperformed the competition. For liquid measuring cups, we prefer the Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup because it's easy to grip and inexpensive. And lastly, for measuring spoons, our favorite is the Cuisipro Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set because it's especially sturdy and deeply-etched so they won't fade in the dishwasher.
Get the Bellemain Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set, 6 Piece from Amazon for $17.95
Get the Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Glass Measuring Cup from Amazon for $14.50
Get the Cuisipro Stainless Steel Measuring Spoon Set from Amazon for $15
4. The best pie dish
To make a great pie, you need a great pie dish. There’s nothing worse than pouring your heart and soul into a homemade pie, just to have the aesthetic ruined by an aluminum foil pie tin. The best pie dish we tested is the Emile Henry Modern Classics Pie Dish. We loved it because of its perfect depth that allows for heaping fillings, plus it’s beautiful. It comes in various colors and the ruffled top adds to its appeal.
Get the Emile Henry Modern Classics Pie Dish from Amazon for $40
5. The best loaf pan
Everyone and their mom seem to be making bread these days, especially now that pumpkin season is upon us. You need a high-quality loaf pan for the tastiest results. Our pick for a loaf pan is the Rachael Ray Yum-o! Nonstick Oven Lovin' Loaf Pan. It’s roomy, has silicone inserts that make gripping it easier, and the non-stick works time after time.
Get the Rachael Ray Yum-o! Oven Lovin' Loaf Pan from Amazon for $9.59
6. The best baking sheets
A good baking sheet is essential, whether you’re reheating fries or baking a fresh batch of cookies. You need a sheet that’s large, distributes heat evenly, and is easy to clean. That’s why we like the Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Half Sheet. It does all of those things, plus it’s lightweight and will last you for ages. For a nonstick cookie sheet, we love the AirBake Nonstick Cookie Sheet because it heats evenly, has "micro-dome technology" to avoid burning, and the nonstick coating works like a charm. It's a rimless sheet, which makes it perfect for cookies but a little tricky for everything else. Pairing it with the Nordic Ware Half Sheet will cover all your bases.
Get the Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Half Sheet from Amazon for $21.15
Get the AirBake Nonstick Cookie Sheet from Amazon for $23.03
7. The best rolling pin
Every kitchen should have a rolling pin, but if you want to level up to the Great British Baking Show, you need the best rolling pin. We love the J.K. Adams Plain Maple Rolling Dowel. It's so simple, and yet rolls dough perfectly every time. The medium-heavy weight makes it easy to control the amount of pressure you use, it's easy to clean, plus—flour sticks well to it, meaning the dough does not.
Get the J.K. Adams Plain Maple Rolling Dowel from Amazon for $27.99
8. The best spatulas
Spatulas are a crucial part of any bakers' toolkit. We love the Di Oro Seamless Spatula because the silicone material and curved head make scraping the sides of mixing bowls a piece of cake. The medium/large size makes the job faster and more efficient, too. For frosting, you're going to want something a little more delicate like the Ateco Offset Spatula. Its narrow shape makes for easy spreading and the ability to create interesting textures and patterns if you’re attempting to decorate like the contestants. Lastly, you're going to need a flat spatula for flipping and moving your treats. Unfortunately our favorite flat spatula, the Cutco Turn n’ Serve, isn't available at the moment, but the KitchenAid Slotted Turner is our favorite nonstick spatula and a great and sturdy alternative.
Get the Ateco 1385 4.5” Offset Spatula from Amazon for $5.17
Get the KitchenAid Slotted Turner from Bed Bath & Beyond for $9.99
9. The best oven thermometer
There's nothing worse than following directions to a T and having your masterpiece burn because the oven was hotter than it said it was. With an oven thermometer, you can ensure that never happens. We find the KT Thermo to be the Goldilocks of thermometers: it's just right. The size is large enough to get a clear reading, yet compact enough to be unintrusive with whatever is going in your oven. Plus, it reads the most accurate temperature of all the oven thermometers we tested.
Get the KT THERMO 3" Oven Thermometer from Amazon for $12.60
10. The best cake pan
Last but certainly not least, what is the art of baking without decadent cakes? But to really take your cakes to the next level, you need a good cake pan. With so many out there, it's hard to know which cake pan will guarantee a fluffy texture and perfect browning. That's where we come in. After testing many highly-rated options, we found the Chicago Metallic Commercial II Non-Stick 9-Inch Round Cake Pan to be superior. It bakes evenly, cleans with ease, and its durability ensures it will last for years to come.
Get the Chicago Metallic Commercial II Non-Stick 9-Inch Round Cake Pan from Amazon for $13.55
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: The best baking tools for fans of 'The Great British Baking Show’
