Baking Equipment Worth Splurging On

Baking can be a wonderful way to pass the time, but it can also be a nightmare. The problems sometimes arise due to poor equipment. The truth is that you can follow a recipe exactly and the final product be ruined because of poor quality baking equipment. That's why it's essential to splurge on certain items. Not everything has to be high dollar though, but some baking equipment is worth the extra money.

Stand Mixers

Whether you're making bread or a batch of cookies, a good stand mixer can make all the difference. You can go out and purchase a cheap stand mixer for around $20, and it will even do some jobs quite well. But, a good stand mixer, such as a KitchenAid or Viking, will do all the baking jobs you it to and do them properly. A good quality mixer should have several power levels allowing you to mix delicate items and stiff doughs. It should also come with a large stainless steel bowl and the attachments you need to do basic baking, such as a dough hook, a mixer paddle and a whisk attachment. If you're the average baker, a basic stand mixer will do just fine and will cost less than $200. On the other hand, if you bake several times a week, a powerful 575 watt mixer may be necessary and will cost $400 to $500.

Insulated Cookie Sheets

Nothing can be more frustrating than preparing the perfect cookie dough only to have the cookies ruined by a cookie sheet. Cheap cookie sheets ruin cookies because of their design. The thinness allows cookies to burn on the bottom before the top browns. The best cookie sheets you can purchase are insulated cookie sheets made of heavy duty aluminized steel. The air inside the cookie sheet slows down the baking process so that you don't end up with burnt cookies. The heavyweight aluminized steel not only prevents warping, but provides for even heating as well. These aren't your 3 for $5 cookie sheets that you find at dollar stores. High quality cookie sheets cost around $15 to $25 for one large cookie sheet, but this is one splurge worth making.

Digital Scales

If you are serious about baking, you know that the proper weight of ingredients is more important than the measurement. A large digital scale ensures that you have the right amount of ingredients. You want to purchase a large scale so that you can place measuring cups and mixing bowls on the scale. Digital scales are also much easier to read. A digital scale isn't too big of a splurge, but is necessary for hardcore bakers. This purchase will set you back less than $50.