The best baking equipment you need to be a GBBO-worthy baker

If you want to bake like the contestants then a stand mixer will make your kitchen a lot more like the tent. A KitchenAid stand mixer is a great pick if you're an avid baker or want to take the craft to the next level. It includes non-stick attachments for fuss-free baking and a 4.8-litre stainless steel bowl to hold your cake mix. As well as mixing cake batter, this also includes a dough hook for bread, a balloon whisk that is perfect for whipping up meringues, and a paddle for creating silky smooth buttercream.

Pros: Iconic baking brand, available in many beautiful colours
Cons: Takes up a bit of room on your kitchen counter, on the more expensive side

Review: "The mixer has a nice balance to the space and power with attachments being robust too. Bowls very good quality for cleaning."

If you want to bake with precision, having a good set of measuring spoons in the draw is a must. This set includes all the measurements you will need to achieve successful bakes. Measure anything from baking powder and bicarbonate of soda to vanilla.

Pros: Handy to have all the measuring spoons on one ring
Cons: They could rust if washed in a dishwasher

Review: "Great items for the kitchen, good quality and easy to clean."

This gorgeous mixing bowl is intricately embossed with delicate florals and foliage and is made from earthenware. It's light enough to hold in one arm while mixing while being sturdy enough to use on the countertop. The distinct patterned exterior and rim are designed to help you grip and tip the bowl and the wide shallow shape allows for kneading within the bowl.

Pros: Beautiful design, available in different sizes, can be put in the dishwasher and microwave
Cons: None!

Review: "I've always had really boring bowls for baking but I've fallen in love with the In The Meadow range. Not only do they look lovely on my shelf and are great to use, but they are so well made and you can tell they will last for years."

Want to make a mini pie like the finalists? This four-inch tin will help you make a pie the perfect size for a picnic. It has a loose base and a non-stick coating so your pie can just slide out once cooked.

Pros: Fridge, freezer and dishwasher safe
Cons: Only one tin so if you want to make multiple you'll need to purchase more

Review: "Bought two of these for my husband to make Pork Pies, he loves them, going to purchase a further two."

For perfect Swiss rolls that won't crack, try rolling them up in greaseproof paper. Do it slowly and gently and it'll help stop your cake from getting stuck and sticky.

Pros: Can be cut to size for what you need
Cons: Would be nice if you could reuse the paper

Review: "I dont know how I managed so long without these! They are brilliant and work so well!"

When you've got a lot of elements to tackle, it's vital to keep an eye on your timings. This electric timer from Salter has got a large digital display so you can see how long your bakes have got left in the oven from wherever you are in the kitchen.

Pros: Can be self-standing or attached to your fridge with the magnetic
Cons: Can't set more than one timer at once

Review: "This is easy to use as a basic timer which is exactly what I wanted. It is the second one I have bought having managed to misplace the original one."

Whether you want to create round, square or rectangular-shaped patisserie goodies, you'll have many shapes to choose from in this set. There are four round, two square and two rectangular rings so you can make more than one bake in each shape.

Pros: Easy to clean, oven and dishwasher safe
Cons: It is a 12-piece set but only includes eight rings, the other four pieces are covers

Review: "Very good for food decoration."

We're sure you noticed the bakers using acetate to help their patisseries keep their shape until they had set. We like that the rolls included in this duo have different heights to suit different bakes.

Pros: Soft and durable to get the perfect edge
Cons: We can't think of any

Review: "I love this product if you're an armature or hobby desert cake maker this is perfect to help with the final results and holds everything in place, it’s a must-have buy."

Create your own vol-au-vent shapes in your pastry with ease using these cutters. A variety of different sizes are included, with straight edges on one side and fluted edges on the other to add a decorative touch to your bakes.

Pros: Seven cutters included
Cons: Some reviewers wished they weren't made from plastic

Review: "Bought this set to be able to make fluted mince pies. So pleasantly surprised when they arrived. A full set, fluted one side, plain the other, all fit together. Really pleased as price was really good, super quick delivery, happy me!!"

With this deep-fat fryer, you can easily make spring rolls like the bakers, as well as chips, doughnuts, churros and so much more.

Pros: Has a non-stick inner pan
Cons: 2.5-litre capacity may not be big enough if you want to make larger batches at a time

Review: "I had to replace my Actifry and didn't want to spend a fortune on an appliance which I only cook chips in. So after a good research I decided to give this one a try. Swan is a good make and the price was reasonable. The capacity is enough to cook for 2 medium portions as its not a very big basket, which is okay for us. I have been very happy with this product so far."

You can make pies of varying sizes with this three-piece set. Measuring 20, 22 and 24cm, they neatly stack inside each other for easy storage.

Pros: Freezer safe, oven safe
Cons: They don't have fluted edges so won't have that more decorative finish like the bakers' pies

Review: "So, so useful, these were bought specifically for small quantities of pies and crumbles etc., but from the moment they arrived, they’ve been used for multiple purposes. Weird how happy a trio of enamel dishes can make you haha! Love them!"

If you want to make delicious ice cream, gelato, sorbet and frozen yoghurt in your own kitchen, you need this ice cream maker. You can have homemade ice cream in as little as 15-20 minutes using this maker, plus it's easy to clean too.

Pros: Comes with six recipes to get you started
Cons: Some reviews mention it can be noisy

Review: "I found it easy to use, easy to store, looks good, produces a good result, delicious ice cream, easy to clean, comes with a small recipe book. I would have appreciated a few more recipes, but other than that ideal for me, to make ice cream."

Want to attempt your own waffle cones like the bakers? This waffle maker will help. It's got a variable temperature control so you can bake them to your preference and a non-stick coating so you can easily get them out of the machine when you're done.

Pros: Can be used for making cones as well as waffles for breakfast
Cons: Some customers wished it had a bigger handle to make it easier to move when in use

Review: "I wasn’t sure i wanted another kitchen gadget but my little boy likes waffles so this one was good value. I’m converted. Love it. Batter is easy to make, machine is easy to use and the result is delicious. It’s compact enough that out doesn’t take up huge space. Delighted with it. I want a fan of waffles before but fresh off the machine they’re delicious"

Of course, when you're making custard from scratch, you need a good non-stick saucepan. We like this Judge one. It's got a Teflon coating so your custard won't stick while it's cooking.

Pros: Has a stay-cool handle to prevent burnt fingers
Cons: Not suitable for use on induction hobs

Review: "I have now bought the 16, 18 and 20cm saucepans as I like them so much. The non stick coating is exactly that. Does not flake away on use. Sturdy but not overly heavy. Good design of handle makes it comfortable to lift and use, and is soft to the touch not rock solid hard. Handles stay cool when using the pans and are afixed securely. The lids are neat and practical and I like the steam vent tiny metal ringed hole in the lid. Very practical. They give an even heat distribution. I use an electric cooker. The design on the outside of the base seems to allow for easy cleaning. Very easy to wash clean, and non stick surface is excellent, but don't use metal implements that could scratch the nonstick surface. Given the reasonable price, I highly recommend."

If you're wanting to tackle apple-inspired bakes just like the GBBO bakers, this peeler will make light work of preparing your apples. With just a turn of a handle, your apple can be cored and peeled so all you'll need to do is chop it into chunks.

Pros: Takes all the work out of peeling and coring apples
Cons: Some people may feel like they don't need a gadget to prepare their apples

Review: "I bought this for my uncle, who has an apple orchard and asked me to help with peeling apples while I was visiting. It arrived almost perfectly set up - I pulled the peeler blade back a little but other than that it was fine. It handles apples from the smallest we had up to a diameter of about 15cm. One of the cooking apple trees has apples that venture above this, and the spikes just aren't far enough apart to grip these apples properly, and the apple extends past the bottom of the slicer blade. For everything else, it peels, cores and slices an apple in under 10 seconds. Even including the fiddling we had to do with the big apples, it has already saved us over a day of labour, and we haven't even scratched the surface yet. Like any suction device, it needs a smooth surface to stick to. We used a tea tray on the kitchen table - it stuck to that and didn't let go until we asked it to."

You can easily check how hot boiling sugar is and the internal temperature of your bakes to see if they're cooked through with this thermometer. The long probe ensures that your hands are kept safely away from the heat.

Pros: Has a temperature range from -50 to 300°c
Cons: Could be easy to accidentally switch from Celsius to Fahrenheit as the buttons are on the back

Review: "I was impressed with this handy little tool, it shows the temperature much faster than our old one. Would recommend."

Now, is it really a Halloween-inspired bake if you don't use orange and black food colour to inject some colour into your treats? As well as orange and black, you get 12 other colours included in this set so you've got plenty of choice for future bakes too.

Pros: Vegetarian and gluten-free
Cons: Some reviewers mention the bottles were smaller than they expected

Review: "I wasn't sure what to expect with this food colouring set as some of the reviews made me question weather it would be any good! To my surprise it's actually a brilliant little kit to have! Firstly reasonable price, secondly you get 14 little bottles in a decent box which is handy as it keeps them tidy! The colours are quite vibrant I've made pink butter cream and used green in key lime pie the key lime pie I used 1drop dark green and 1 drop of the lighter the results were amazing 😊 these will last quite a while thank you very much for such a wonderful product 🥰"

As well as using this steamer to cook puddings, you can use it for steaming vegetables, fish and rice. A great multi-purpose piece of kitchen equipment.

Pros: Oven and dishwasher safe
Cons: Some reviews mention the lid rattles a little bit while steaming

Review: "Lightweight but seems strong. I've used it to steam sponge puddings so far and results very good."

Whether you use a purpose-made steamer or a Bain-Marie to steam your puddings, you need something to bake them in. This is where these pudding basins come in. They're crafted from anodised aluminium for even heat distribution.

Pros: Can be used for hot and cold bakes
Cons: Not dishwasher safe

Review: "These pots are great to make your own steam pudding."

Avoid a soggy bottom on your lemon meringue pie with the help of this flan tin. It's got a removable, sturdy base so you can easily get your pies out.

Pros: Has a non-stick coating
Cons: The sides could be thinner

Review: "Worked really well, easy to lift up and came up perfect in the dishwasher."

With a razor-sharp stainless steel blade that won't rust and a comfortable, non-slip handle, zesting has never been so simple.

Pros: Curved sides make it rigid
Cons: Could be bigger

Review: "After many years using terrible zesters, I saw this and thought it was worth a shot. It really is so much better than any previous zesters I have owned, I threw them away as soon as I used this one. It is sharp and literally took seconds to zest a large orange perfectly, it is very comfortable and easy to use with the non-slip handle and the rubber foot which means it doesn't slip at the bottom. It is very easy to clean, has a blade cover which snaps on and off for safety, it even has a hook to hang it up if you so wish. Overall, more expensive than most zesters I have seen but this one is definitely worth it."

If you're wanting to make your own pan dulce or any uniform bakes, these kitchen scales will help you make sure all your doughs and batters are spilt into equal sizes. It even comes with a stainless steel bowl for weighing ingredients.

Pros: Has a backlight LCD display for visible readings
Cons: Lighter colour may get dirty more quickly

Review: "Very accurate for baking. Easy to use and clean. Perfect kitchen essential."

Finished in a beautiful turquoise and cream colour, this frying pan certainly wouldn't look out of place in the Bake Off tent. It's got a non-stick coating so you won't need to worry about your tacos getting stuck.

Pros: Dishwasher safe
Cons: Could be bigger

Review: "It does what it says, so easy to clean and use. I wanted a good smaller one and I love this one."

You get two spatulas included in this great value pack. A baking and cooking essential, you can use them for flipping tacos, pancakes and other sweet and savoury treats.

Pros: Come in a variety of colours so you can choose the one that best matches your kitchen décor
Cons: Some customers found they were a little thick for more delicate bakes

Review: "Simple and does what it’s meant to. Easy on non-stick pans, and withstands heat very well. Easy to clean."

Ensure your cakes stay moist by soaking them in milk or syrups using this squeeze bottle. The holey cap makes sure your liquid of choice is evenly distributed around your sponge.

Pros: Can be used in a microwave
Cons: Some customers had issues with securing the lid

Review: "I enjoy using this bottle to add syrup to my cakes, it gives a wider coverage when sprayed."

Making a tall cake or a cake with many layers just like the bakers? You need this cake support set. They're designed to support the weight of multi-tiered cakes so you don't have to worry about them toppling over.

Pros: Comes with rods and cake plates
Cons: They're made from plastic, although could potentially be reused

Review: "I’m an amateur baker and was asked to make a tiered wedding cake for my sister-I made a three tiered cake with these and it held up really well!"

Want to make your own pizza just like the bakers? You're going to need a dedicated tray to cook them in your oven. This one is non-stick with uniform holes in the bottom to allow heat to circulate for a quicker, more even bake so you'll be tucking into your masterpiece in no time at all.

Pros: Dishwasher safe
Cons: Some customers wished it was more sturdy

Review: "I bought this as I had a friend who said it makes a difference. How right they were. Previously I cooked pizza on a wire tray or flat tray. This makes such a difference to the pizza and they taste light and fluffy. I have tried cheap and gourmet pizzas and it improves both in taste and feel. No more crunchy, crispy base. Hello soft and fresh tasting pizza!"

The bakers use glass jugs when it comes to pouring or measuring anything in the tent. We like these ones as you get three in a set. They have clear measuring levels, they're easy to pour from, and they're heat resistant. They get a big thumbs up from us.

Pros: Microwave and dishwasher safe
Cons: Could smash if dropped

Review: "No issue, does what it says on the tin, nice mix of sizes and the normal Pyrex quality."

If you haven't got a proving drawer in your kitchen as they do on The Great British Bake Off, these baskets are a great alternative. You just pop your dough in, cover with a damp cloth and wait until they've doubled in size.

Pros: Made from rattan that absorbs moisture away from the surface
Cons: May be more difficult to clean than other baking essentials

Review: "Just perfect for my bread making."

This tool will help you to make those score marks you see on the top of loaves. It will help to create clean and deep slices in your dough to make your finished bake look completely professional.

Pros: Comes with five blades
Cons: Some reviews mention it took a couple of tries to be able to use it to its full potential

Review: "Good tool for cutting dough, I use this as it's much easier to create pretty patterns on dough vs a knife. Easy to use, sharp blades, smooth handle and it comes with a little leather covering to use with the blade when not in use."

It's no secret that working with dough can be a sticky business at times. This scraper will help you cut your dough into equal-sized pieces and help you transfer it to baking trays without it getting stuck to the blade.

Pros: Has an ergonomic handle
Cons: Some reviews mention the blade rusting slightly after a couple of months

Review: "Well made and sturdy, the wooden handle is very useful. Good for cutting dough and scraping the work surface clean. The scale on the blade is useful as well. If I needed another one this is what I would buy again."

You can make up to 30 macaroons using this non-stick baking sheet. It's rust-proof and is made from material that has the best heat distribution quality so you can be sure of evenly baked macaroons and other biscuits every time.

Pros: You can make a lot at once
Cons: Sharp and pointed steel utensils may easily scratch the base of the tray

Review: "Sturdy and really non stick."

When it comes to baking biscuits that would make the ultimate addition to any afternoon, a baking tray is essential. This tray has a non-stick surface for easy release to avoid any baking mishaps plus, it's quick to clean.

Pros: Dishwasher safe
Cons: Some customers mention the tray warping slightly at high temperatures

Review: "I often buy Wilton cake tins so got these to replace my rather ancient baking trays. They are bigger than standard and just fit my Hotpoint oven, seem very sturdy and wash very easily. These are non stick as all tins of this brand are and require little or no greasing so why complain when things slide off, that's what non stick means. I think they will last just about forever, best I've ever had."

These cutters will take your biscuits to the next level. Choose from three sizes and a variety of different shapes, from hearts and stars to flowers and circles. Once baked, the biscuits make the perfect canvas for the icing of your choice.

Pros: A total of 24 cutters included
Cons: Some reviews mention they could be sturdier

Review: "You can use these for anything from tiny sandwiches, making icing flowers or for craft making dough flowers or clay items."

A rolling pin is an absolute baking essential and when it comes to making your biscuits, this will ensure your dough is smooth and even. Made from beechwood, this rolling pin is heavy-duty and easy to use.

Pros: Made from FSC-certified wood
Cons: Not suitable for dishwasher cleaning

Review: "Longer and no indentations. Best rolling pin I have ever used."

Ensure your biscuit dough doesn't stick to any surfaces with this flour dredger. This evenly distributes flour onto worktops ready for any dough to be rolled and cut into shapes.

Pros: Lid is tight fitting to stop spillers
Cons: Some reviews mention it is hard to open

Review: "Ok, so lots of people say they’re hard to open but there’s a knack. There are little grooves in the lid and top of the shaker. Line them up and twist clockwise! Anti-clockwise to open again. Still a little stiff but nothing outrageous.
Very sturdy and neat looking. Will be perfect for sifting my flour and icing sugar over surfaces/items. My only complaint is that I thought I could get away with a quick wipe inside with antibac before use but the cloth was black! They definitely need washing prior to use."

This set of four-inch tins is ideal for making miniature cakes, just like the bakers in the tent. You can also use them for making individual cheesecakes or tiny quiches. They have a non-stick surface with a reinforced coating for easy release and quick clean-up.

Pros: You get three in a set
Cons: Not ideal if you want to make lots of mini cakes at once

Review: "Great for making mini pies or cakes the spring makes it easy to remove baked items. I love them great addition to my baking collection. 😁👌"

This springform tin is the perfect pick if you're baking anything from classic victoria sponges to cheesecakes. The clasp makes removing cakes a breeze which is music to our ears plus, it's non-stick. The thick carbon steel body ensures heat is evenly transferred making for a perfect bake that will be sure to go down a treat with friends and family.

Pros: It has a loose base which makes getting cakes out easier
Cons: Not suitable for cleaning in a dishwasher

Review: "Love using these tins when I’m baking. They are of a good quality. I'm sure they will last for many years to come."

Traybakes are great for any occasion from birthdays to tea parties. If you want to experiment with bakes, like having a go at creating your own 3D cake house, this tin is great for layering and decorating your cakes. The tin is non-stick and heat is evenly transferred through it during baking making for perfectly fluffy cakes.

Pros: Comes with a lid so can store bakes directly in the tray when you're finished
Cons: Some reviews mention they had difficulty getting the lid to fit at times

Review: "It's super convenient having a lid that can easily be placed over the container after baking something. It makes it much easier to carry to places and share with other people :) I haven't had a problem with fitting the lid firmly, but it hasn't fallen off while being transported and clicks on securely. There is a knack to opening it easily but once you've gotten the hang of it, it's quite easy. Overall this tray has been very helpful and I'm glad I purchased it!"

This pack will literally help you put the icing on the cake. One thing we love about cake making is the fun of piping. If you're topping your sponge with traditional frosting or maybe even a swiss meringue buttercream, a piping bag and nozzles to hand are essential. This set comes with six stainless steel icing tips, two reusable piping bags as well as one plastic coupler. Pipe anything from chocolate drips to a variety of swirls and watch your bake come to life.

Pros: Piping bags are made from silicone so they're easy to clean
Cons: Some customers would have liked smaller nozzles for more intricate icing

Review: "Very easy to use and produces beautiful piping on cakes. I wasn't expecting much from it but I've been really impressed when using it. Really easy to clean too which is fab. Would definitely recommend and buy again"

If you want to avoid the task of whipping up cake batter and buttercream by hand, a good mixer is a must-have. This hand mixer has three different speeds for folding, whisking and mixing plus, the handle is comfortable to grip while you're creating your cake mix.

Pros: Easy to tidy away after you've used it
Cons: May get cramp in your hand if you're using it for a long time

Review: "This mixer is just as described. It’s easy to use, lightweight and mixes ingredients well. I recommend this Kenwood Hand Mixer."

This traditional mixing bowl not only looks aesthetically pleasing to display in any kitchen but it's also a great size for whipping up cake batter. The bowl is super durable and chip resistant plus, the beautiful embossed design provides the perfect grip.

Pros: Pretty and practical
Cons: Fairly heavy

Review: "This bowl is great for mixing cake mixture. It is easy to wash and sturdy. I love the cornflower blue too."

If GBBO has taught us anything, it's that soggy bottoms are never ideal. This three-tiered cooling rack will ensure your sponges cool perfectly and at a quicker rate. The rack is also collapsible so finding a home for it in the cupboard should be a breeze.

Pros: Ideal for larger batch baking
Cons: Perhaps wouldn't be as suitable for taller bakes

Review: "So far so good! Had mine about a month and in constant use. Wish I had bought a tier system much earlier as these are a great space saver and I don’t have racks all over the place now. Sit nicely on top of each other and fold away easily into the cupboard."

Spatulas are a great multi-purpose tool to have in your kitchen drawer. This set of four spatulas are perfect for mixing, as well as putting buttercreams and other smooth icings onto cakes for the ultimate decoration.

Pros: Heat resistant and non-stick material
Cons: Some reviews mention they are a little flimsy

Review: "I was only looking for one - but now have 3 spare - great value."