Welcome to my kitchen! Here you’ll find all of my favorite tools, ingredients, and pantry staples — the same ones I use every day when testing recipes, baking something cozy, or shooting food photos for the blog.
These are the items that make cooking easier, baking more consistent, and cleanup a whole lot faster. I’ve spent years finding products that actually hold up, perform beautifully, and make being in the kitchen more enjoyable. I’m so happy to share them with you here.
My Must-Have Baking Tools
These are the workhorses.
Stand Mixer
A reliable stand mixer is one of the best investments if you bake regularly. I use mine for cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, cookie dough, frostings, and enriched sourdough doughs. It saves time and protects your wrists.
Digital Kitchen Scale
If you bake sourdough or anything from scratch, a scale is non-negotiable. Measuring flour by weight ensures consistent results every time.
Glass Mixing Bowls (Set)
I prefer sturdy glass bowls for prep, resting dough, and storing ingredients. They’re easy to clean and don’t absorb odors.
Silicone Spatulas
A flexible silicone spatula gets every last bit of batter out of the bowl. I keep several on hand.
Bench Scraper
This is essential for sourdough. It helps divide dough cleanly, scrape counters, and keep your workspace tidy.
8x8 and 9x13 Baking Pans
For brownies, lemon bars, casseroles, and baked desserts. Heavy-duty metal pans bake more evenly than thin ones.
Sheet Pans
Good-quality rimmed sheet pans are essential for roasting vegetables, baking cookies, and even dinner rolls.
Cooling Rack
Allows baked goods to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
My Sourdough Essentials
If you’re here for sourdough, these tools make the process smoother.
Large Glass Jar for Starter
I keep my starter in a wide-mouth glass jar so it’s easy to feed and monitor.
Dutch Oven
A heavy Dutch oven creates the steam environment needed for bakery-style sourdough loaves.
Banneton Proofing Basket
Helps hold structure during the final rise and gives that classic artisan look.
Lame (Bread Scoring Tool)
For clean, controlled scoring before baking.
Dough Whisk
Perfect for mixing starter and shaggy dough without overworking it.
Everyday Cooking Favorites
These are the tools I grab constantly for dinners and soups.
Large Stainless Steel Skillet
A high-quality skillet handles everything from chicken to stir fry.
Cast Iron Skillet
Unmatched for searing and baking. Great for cornbread and skillet desserts too.
Large Stock Pot
Essential for soups, broths, and pasta.
Wooden Spoons
Simple, sturdy, and versatile.
Chef’s Knife
A sharp, well-balanced chef’s knife makes prep faster and safer.
Cutting Boards
I keep both wood and plastic boards for different tasks.
My Favorite Small Appliances
These save time without cluttering the kitchen.
Immersion Blender
Perfect for soups and sauces without transferring to a blender.
Hand Mixer
Great for quick baking tasks when I don’t want to pull out the stand mixer.
Food Processor
Ideal for crusts, chopping, and quick prep work.
Pantry & Prep Helpers
These aren’t glamorous — but they make cooking easier.
Measuring Cups & Spoons (Metal Set)
Accurate, durable, and easy to level.
Cookie Scoop
Gives you the perfect cookie size every single time.
Microplane Zester
Perfect for citrus zest, garlic, and Parmesan.
Citrus Juicer
Makes lemon bars and dressings much easier.
Silicone Baking Mats
Reusable alternative to parchment for cookies.
My Photography Basics
If you’re curious about how I capture food:
Wooden Boards
Add warmth and texture.
Simple White Plates & Bowls
Let the food stand out.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need everything at once.
Start with:
- A good knife
- A scale
- A sturdy pan
- A reliable mixing bowl
Build from there.
Every item on this list is something I personally use in my kitchen for recipes you see here — from sourdough discard cinnamon rolls to classic lemon bars.
Quality tools make cooking more enjoyable. And when cooking feels easier, you cook more often.
That’s what really matters.
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost to you, but it helps support the recipes, testing, and photography that go into this blog — so thank you for being here!
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