Sian Meades is founding editor of Domestic Sluttery, the home and lifestyle blog for women who have better things to do. She’s author of the book of the same name, a freelance writer for Sunday Times Style and London Shopping Editor for Frommer’s London Guide Books.
With the Great British Bake Off back on the telly, everyone is going into a baking frenzy. Here is a roundup of the prettiest essentials you need for a stylish and practical baking session in your kitchen.
As soon as Mel & Sue hit our television screens, making hilarious puns about soggy bottoms, everyone goes into a bit of a baking frenzy. The Great British Bake Off is such good Autumn telly and it inspires everyone to get their ovens preheated and their aprons on. But before you do that, you’re going to need some pretty kitchen things. Tarts, breads, cakes and pies, this is what you’ll need to get yourself started.
TV cookery shows sometimes get all ‘a little of this, a little of that’ (thanks Jamie Oliver). When it comes to baking, the measurements need to be precise. Once you’ve learnt the basics you can play about, but investing in some digital scales is essential for accuracy. These swish Brabantia scales are £24.50.
If you’re going to bake great cakes, you need great mixing bowls. Happy kitchen equipment + good ingredients = tastier food. These mixing bowls are ideal and you have to lick the cake mix from them afterwards. That’s the rules.
If you’re really getting into your cakes, a springform tin is a must. What better than heart-shaped cakes? You get two heart tins in this pack and they’re £10.50. Perfect for baking romantic Victoria sponges.
You’ll use ramekins more than you realise when you’re baking. It’s time to throw away the ones you’ve saved from that well-known dessert company and invest in something a little prettier like these purple ramekin dishes from Analon. Then get your creme caramel going and start blow torching your brulees.
You can’t think about baking without seasoning. This red salt and pepper set is ideal and it’ll look just as good on your kitchen table. £9 is a bright little bargain.
Don’t ever underestimate a good pie dish. You’ll use it time and time again (even if you don’t bother making your own pastry). Nothing too deep, nothing to big, something just right. Never underestimate the power of home-cooked pie on a drizzly Sunday. I’ve checked by the way: all Sundays between November and March are probably going to be drizzly, pie is definitely the answer.
Been inspired by this little lot and Great British Bake Off? Head to Domestic Sluttery and have a peruse through the Baking for Beginner section.
