Last Updated on November 6, 2026
This baking equipment list covers what a home baker actually uses: the pans that earn their cupboard space, the tools that make results repeatable, and the guides for when a recipe calls for something you do not have. Start with the essentials, then add specialty pans as your baking grows.
The short list: a half sheet pan, a 9 x 13 pan, two 9-inch round cake pans, a 9 x 5 loaf pan, a 12-cup muffin pan, a cooling rack, nested mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, and a kitchen scale.
Essential baking equipment
| Equipment | What you use it for | Our guides |
|---|---|---|
| Half sheet pan (18 x 13 in) | Cookies, sheet-pan dinners, roasted vegetables, sheet cakes | Anodized aluminum sheets, rimmed sheet with rack |
| 9 x 13 in pan | Brownies, bars, sheet cakes, casseroles | 9 x 11 vs 9 x 13, 9 x 13 brownies |
| Two 9 in round pans | Layer cakes | 6-inch cake pans for smaller cakes |
| 9 x 5 in loaf pan | Sandwich bread, quick breads, banana bread | 2 lb loaf pans, bread pans with lids |
| 12-cup muffin pan | Muffins and cupcakes | 6-cup muffin pans for small batches |
| Cooling rack | Lets air under cakes and cookies so the bottoms do not steam | Sheet pan with wire rack |
| Mixing bowls | Nested set of three to five sizes | |
| Measuring cups, spoons and a scale | Accurate flour, sugar and leavening | Kitchen conversion chart |
Baking pans by type
Once the essentials are covered, specialty pans open up new recipes:
- Bundt and tube pans: dense pound cakes and ring cakes; a half-size Bundt pan suits smaller households.
- Springform pans: cheesecakes and tortes with a removable side; mini springform pans make individual desserts.
- Baking dishes: glass or ceramic for casseroles and cobblers, from a 1-quart dish to a 6-quart dish or an extra-large baking dish. A ceramic casserole set covers most sizes.
- Bread pans: for sourdough and artisan loaves, see sourdough bread baking pans.
- Baking rings and lidded cake pans: baking rings for tarts and English muffins, and metal cake pans with lids for transporting sheet cakes.
- Small sheets: a toaster oven cookie sheet or 10 x 10 baking sheet for small ovens, and a broiling pan for meat.
Baking pan sizes and swaps
If you do not own the pan a recipe calls for, choose one with roughly the same surface area. The batter then sits at the same depth and bakes in about the same time. Our full guide to baking pan sizes covers depth and volume as well.
| Pan | Area | Good swap |
|---|---|---|
| 8 x 8 in square | 64 sq in | 9 in round |
| 9 x 9 in square | 81 sq in | 10 in round |
| 9 x 13 in rectangle | 117 sq in | Two 9 in rounds |
| 9 in round | 64 sq in | 8 x 8 in square |
| Half sheet, 18 x 13 in | 234 sq in | Two 9 x 13 pans |
After a swap, start checking for doneness 5 to 10 minutes before the recipe says.
Choosing a pan material
- Light-colored aluminum heats quickly and evenly and is what most recipes are written for. See non-rust baking pans and AirBake insulated pans.
- Dark and nonstick pans release easily but brown faster, so watch the edges.
- Stainless steel will not react with acidic food and lasts for decades; compare options in the best stainless steel baking pans.
- Glass is ideal for casseroles and pies because you can see the bottom browning. Avoid sudden temperature changes; read is Pyrex oven safe and what is Pyrex.
- Copper and ceramic look good enough to serve from: copper bakeware sets and Temptations bakeware.
Not sure something can go in the oven at all? Check what can go in the oven first. Comparing brands? See Caraway vs Calphalon and our Baker’s Table bakeware review.
Baking tools beyond pans
- Measuring: spoon flour into the cup and level it, or weigh it; our kitchen conversion chart lists cup-to-gram weights from the King Arthur Baking weight chart, and how to measure sugar covers brown and powdered sugar.
- Piping: start with a few tips and read the piping tips chart, piping tips guide and how to fill a pastry bag.
- Frosting: buttercream with Crisco and butter, powdered sugar icing, icing without cream cheese and decorating frosting.
Flour and baking substitutions
Most baking emergencies are missing ingredients, not missing pans. These guides cover the common swaps:
- Flour: all-purpose for cake flour, how to make cake flour, how to make pastry flour, cake flour or bread flour and flour substitutes.
- Sugar: granulated for brown sugar, how to make brown sugar, honey for brown sugar and coconut sugar substitutes.
- Eggs: egg substitutes, for brownie mix, for waffles and vegetarian egg alternatives.
- Dairy and leavening: buttermilk from cream, heavy cream for buttermilk and baking soda substitutes.
- Pastry: the best flour for pie crust, butter and Crisco pie crust and pot pie crust.
Recipes to start with
Put the new equipment to work with chocolate chip cookies with baking powder (and what makes cookies chewy), 9 x 13 brownies, a 9 x 13 chocolate cake, Dutch oven cornbread, artisan bread in a bread machine and other recipes with bread flour.
Four upgrades worth buying first
If you are filling gaps in your kit, these cover the pieces bakers reach for most. We picked them for size, material and value; prices change, so check the current listing.
Half sheet pans: Fat Daddio’s 18 x 13 in, 2-pack
Natural 18-gauge aluminum, the standard commercial half-sheet size. Two pans let you bake one tray while the next one cools.
- Commercial & Professional baking sheet pans are essential additions to kitchens, bakeries, cafeterias, diners, restaurants, coffee shops and cafes.
- Ideal for cookies, wings, vegetables and purposes such as baking, roasting, broiling and reheating.
- Measures 18″ x 13″ x 1″ (45.7 x 33 x 2.5 cm) deep with wire-reinforced rolled rim. Interior bottom 16 1/2″x 11 1/2″ (41.9 x 29.2 cm). Capacity 14 cups (3386 ml) each. Designed for use with Fat Daddio’s Silicone Mat (SM-HALF).
- 18-Gauge Natural Aluminum finish heats evenly and is designed for a lifetime of durability. Easy clean-up, will not warp or rust.
- Built to Last Bakeware – Fat Daddio’s Natural Aluminum bakeware is put to the test every day in commercial kitchens, bakeries and by professional bakers and decorators around the world.
9 x 13 pan: Amazon Basics nonstick rectangle pan
The most-called-for pan size in American recipes, at a price that makes it easy to own two.
- RECTANGULAR BAKING PAN: 9 x 13 in. rectangular baking pan for cakes, brownies, and more
- HEAT CONDUCTING: Carbon steel construction for excellent heat conduction and even baking
- NONSTICK: Nonstick coating ensures quick, effortless food release and easy cleaning
- OVEN-SAFE: Oven-safe up to 428°F; perfect for everyday baking
- DISHWASHER-SAFE: Dishwasher-safe for quick and convenient cleaning after use. Hand-wash with warm water and mild soap for best results
Cooling rack: Ultra Cuisine stainless steel rack
Sized to sit inside a half sheet pan, so it doubles as an oven rack for bacon, roasting and glazing. Stainless steel will not rust like chrome-plated racks.
- HEAVY DUTY STAINLESS STEEL STURDY DESIGN: Set of 2 cooling racks for half sheet baking pans are food-safe, professional grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel with strong, heavy duty wire grids, small holes, smooth no-snag edges, and a full 1 inch height resulting in greater all around airflow for even cooking, cooling and roasting every time
- DISHWASHER-SAFE AND EASY TO CLEAN: Our cooling racks are 100% stainless steel for easy clean up and can be safely washed in the dishwasher so there is no worry of rusting or chrome flaking off into your food. Ultra Cuisine baking and cooling racks offer long-lasting superior quality. Inspired baking guaranteed!
- OVEN-SAFE ALLOWS FOR MULTIPLE USES: Safe for oven-use up to 575 degrees Fahrenheit. Ultra Cuisine’s cooling rack is designed for oven use so you can confidently roast, bake, grill, smoke, dry, and bbq. All this is possible due to the high heat tolerance of the 100% stainless steel design.These racks are not stackable for storage, but they can be used individually for cooling or as storage shelves
- PERFECT SIZE FITS HALF SHEET: Designed to perfectly fit large 13×18 inch half sheet baking pan or cookie sheet (as shown in image – pan not included). This baking tool makes the perfect addition to your bakeware collection! The dimensions of the baking rack are 16.5 x 11.5 x 1.0 inches – Set of 2 Cooling Racks per purchase.
- PROUDLY DESIGNED IN COLORADO, USA & FREE RECIPE EBOOK: Each cooling rack comes with a complimentary recipe eBook with over 100 recipes for delicious treats and savory meals. Try out our oven-safe wire baking rack and bake like a pro for a lifetime
Mixing bowls: WHYSKO 5-piece stainless steel set
Five nesting sizes cover everything from melting butter to a double batch of dough, and stainless steel is light, unbreakable and dishwasher safe.
- Complete Mixing Bowls Set Ideal for meal prep, or making pancakes, our 5-piece nesting mixing bowls add convenience and versatility to your kitchen.
- Stainless-Steel Craftsmanship These deep mixing bowls are BPA free, food-grade safe, rust and corrosion resistant, and feature a smooth steel design easy on utensils.
- Nested Storage When not in use, these bowls nest inside one another to save cabinet space.
- Dishwasher Safe and Easy to Clean The perfect choice for your healthy meal prep plans or regular daily dinners, simply put them in the dishwasher when your done.
Frequently asked questions
What baking equipment does a beginner need?
A half sheet pan, a 9 x 13 pan, a loaf pan, a muffin pan, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a spatula, a whisk and a cooling rack. Add round cake pans when you start making layer cakes.
Can I use a glass dish instead of a metal pan?
Yes. Glass heats more slowly and holds heat longer, so edges can brown more. Many bakers lower the oven by about 25°F and start checking early.
What size is a half sheet pan?
About 18 x 13 inches with a 1-inch rim. A quarter sheet is about 13 x 9 inches and a full sheet, 26 x 18 inches, is too large for most home ovens.
Do I need a stand mixer?
No. A hand mixer and a whisk handle most cakes and cookies. A stand mixer pays off if you make bread dough or large batches often.
Pan swaps are calculated from surface area. Browse more guides in Baking & Recipes.