Baking Starter Kit

I’m always on the hunt for minimal admin baking options that allow for some interesting twists, and am pleased to say that numerous no-mess-no-fuss, almost idiot proof recipes are definitely out there.

So, if you’d like to give baking a bash, here’s my recommended (very basic and which I’ll keep up to date as I go along) starter kit of what to buy the next time you are grocery shopping… Oh and let me know if you think I’ve missed out anything vital.

Flours & Whites
Self raising
Regular all-purpose flour (aka Cake flour)
Baking powder
Baking soda (aka bicarbonate of soda)
Gelatine powder

Sugars
Light brown
Castor sugar
Icing sugar
Dark brown (muscovado) sugar

Essences
Vanilla essence
Almond essence

Dairy
Eggs
Un-salted butter (never cook with margarine. It’s just not done)
Natural yoghurt
Cream
Buttermilk (You can make your own buttermilk by adding 1 Tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice to 1L milk and let it stand for 10 minutes)

Dried fruit
Cranberries
Apricots
Raisins

Chocolate
Good quality dark & milk chocolate – 2 large slabs of each
Chocolate chips

Nuts & Seeds
Slivered almonds
Whole almonds (unsalted)
Walnuts (unsalted)
Pecan nuts (unsalted)
Cashew nuts (unsalted)
Pistachio nuts (unsalted)
Hazelnuts (unsalted)
Walnuts (unsalted)
Pine nuts
Poppy seeds
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds

Other
Gelatine leaves
Grease-proof baking paper
Tinfoil
Cling wrap
Muffin papers
Marshmallows (you’ll see why in an upcoming post!)