From everyday prep to ambitious weekend cooking.
Our 10 Must-Have Items for Year-Round Bread Baking
Most new bakers start with the same question: what do I actually need to make bread?
The answer is simpler than expected.
You don’t need a professional setup or a long list of specialty equipment. With a handful of well-chosen tools, bread baking becomes not just possible, but something you return to—again and again.
Think of this as your bread making starter kit. The pieces that support your first loaf and every one after.
Not exhaustive. Just essential.
The perfect loaf awaits. Stock up on the essentials.
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10 Essential Bread Making Tools Every Home Baker Needs
Dutch Oven
A heavy, lidded pot designed to trap heat and steam.
This is what gives homemade bread its crisp, golden crust and tender interior. The enclosed environment mimics a professional steam oven, which is key for proper rise and texture.
Sur La Tip: Preheat the Dutch oven before adding your dough for the best oven spring.
Mixing Bowls
Simple, durable bowls for combining and resting dough. A good set of mixing bowls gives you space to mix, proof and monitor your dough as it develops.
Sur La Tip: Choose a bowl large enough to allow the dough to double in size comfortably.
Dough or Bench Scraper
A flat, sturdy tool for handling and dividing dough.
It helps you move sticky dough with ease, portion it cleanly and keep your workspace tidy. It will quickly become one of the most indispensable and versatile tools in your kitchen.
Sur La Tip: Use it to fold dough during kneading without adding extra flour.
Bannetons (Proofing Baskets)
Structured baskets that support dough during its final rise.
They help dough hold its shape and create those signature flour rings on the crust. Especially useful for sourdough and rustic loaves.
Sur La Tip: Lightly flour the basket to prevent sticking and encourage a clean release.
Loaf Pans
Classic pans for sandwich breads and enriched doughs.
When structure matters—think soft sandwich loaves or brioche—a loaf pan provides consistency and even baking.
Sur La Tip: Grease lightly or line for easy removal after baking.
Silicone Slings or Parchment Paper
A simple way to transfer dough safely.
Moving dough into a hot Dutch oven can be tricky. Silicone slings or parchment paper make the process smooth and controlled.
Sur La Tip: Use parchment as a sling to lower dough in and lift it out without deflating it.
Bread Lame
A razor tool used to score dough before baking.
Scoring isn’t just decorative. It controls how the bread expands in the oven, preventing unwanted cracks and improving texture.
Sur La Tip: A shallow, confident cut is all you need.
Dough Whisk
A sturdy whisk designed for thick, sticky doughs.
It blends flour and water efficiently without overworking the dough. Particularly helpful in the early mixing stage.
Sur La Tip: Switch to hand kneading once the dough begins to come together.
Wooden Spoon
Sometimes the simplest tool is the one you reach for most. A wooden spoon handles thicker doughs and offers control without overcomplicating the process.
Sur La Tip: Use it for quick mixes or smaller batches when a whisk feels unnecessary.
Bread Knife + Cutting Board
A sharp serrated knife paired with a stable surface.
A proper bread knife preserves the structure you worked to create, slicing cleanly through crust without compressing the crumb.
Sur La Tip: Let bread cool fully before slicing to maintain texture.
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The perfect loaf awaits. Stock up on the essentials.
Shop Now
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