We Crusaders are always looking for the next best cupcakery or bakery to review, but we all enjoy baking too. I’ve said before that baking is a science, and sometimes the tools you have to experiment with help you to achieve your cupcake goal. Whether we are making Chocolate Raspberry Chambord cupcakes, Hummingbird cupcakes, or Strawberry Basil cupcakes we all use the same tools over and over; and more often than not, it is the little things in the kitchen (and life) that make a big difference. With the gift giving season in full swing, we thought we would share each of our favorite baking tools so that it might help you find the perfect present for that special baker in your life (or if you are that special baker… you may want to add these to your wish list).

Crusader Stacy: Small and Large Pampered Chef Scoops

Crusader Stacy received these scoops as gifts for her bridal shower. They are her favorite baking tools because they make it easy to fill the cupcake liners so that all the cupcakes are even and don’t spill over. She swears they are a lifesaver! Not only are they useful for making cupcakes, but they can be used for so many other kitchen and cooking related projects, like portioning doughs, filings, side dishes, etc. They also have a charming vintage look. (And check out Crusader Stacy’s cupcake kitchen towel too! So cute.)

Crusader Jenn: Kitchen Aid Mixer

Crusader Jenn recently received this Kitchen Aid Mixer from her husband for their anniversary. “Whirla” is her newest kitchen “gadget” and it has already been put to good use! This kitchen tool helps cupcake making go faster and is so much easier than a hand mixer, especially for frosting. She’s only had this mixer for about a month and has already made pumpkin bread, mashed potatoes, and 8 dozen cupcakes, including batter and frosting! It has quickly become the most utilized small appliance in her kitchen. (Coincidentally, I’ve got the exact same mixer and couldn’t agree more.)

Crusader Elisa: Muffinaire vintage baking pan (available on Etsy or Ebay)

I received this “Muffinaire” aluminum pan from my Nona when I moved into my first apartment after college. Not only does it have vintage charm, but because it is made of aluminum it doesn’t hold onto heat the same way that new steel pans can, which causes some cakes/cupcakes to cook unevenly. This pan is cool to the touch after just minutes out of the oven and I won’t cook cupcakes, muffins, or mini frittatas in anything else.

These are just our favorite, of the many, kitchen tools we use when we are baking. Of course we would all be lost without our cupcakes carriers and our mixing bowls. Crusaders Jenn and Stacy even have fancy cake testers, and Jenn says she loves having a dedicated tool just for that. And have I mentioned piping tips? Yeah, we love those too! While these tools help us when we are baking in our own kitchens, and we are grateful for them, we still prefer tasting and reviewing cupcakes from other people’s kitchens, no clean up needed. 😉

– Posted by Cupcake Crusader, Elisa (Baltimore, MD)