How to Start a Sweet Baking Hobby
Is Baking a Hobby?
Many people wonder if whipping up a batch of cupcakes or feeding their sourdough starter counts as a hobby – if you enjoy it, it does! Baking is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. People bake for many different reasons, but the most common reason is because they enjoy it and want to share their creations with friends and family. There are many different methods to baking, from quick breads to complex sourdough bread, cookies to make with kids or cakes with elaborate fondant icing. The diversity in baking makes it accessible and enjoyable for all levels of bakers.
How to Start a Baking Hobby
- Start with an Easy Baking Goal
If you’ve never really baked before, your first attempt should likely not be 55-layered French croissants or fussy filled pastries. Pick something simple that you love. - Collect the Right Equipment
While you can start baking some things with what you have at home, it’s a good idea to get a few baking essentials to make your life easier. Check out our recommendations below! - Bake Consistently
Just like so many other things, getting comfortable with baking takes practice. Try each recipe at least twice and commit to baking once per week – at least! You’ll find your results are better and you’re more relaxed!
Best Baking Cookbooks for Beginners
Flour Water Salt Yeast
100 Cookies: The Baking Book for Every Kitchen
The Perfect Cake
Essential Baking Supplies for Beginners
Pouring through the kitchen sections in stores and online can be overwhelming if you’re just starting to gather your baking gear. But it’s even more frustrating to put the time and energy into a baking project and have it fail (Or fall! Or burn! Or not rise! So many things to go wrong!) because you didn’t have the right equipment. Check out our top recommendations for beginner’s baking gear below!
Etekcity Digital Food Scale
Cook With Color Mixing Bowl Set
Tips for a Beginning Baker
A baking hobby is a lifetime of learning, but there are some valuable insights that all experienced bakers know – and these are great things to learn as you get started!
- Start by baking things that you love. If you don’t like sweets, bake bread! If you want to share your baked goods easily with family and friends, bake cookies or cupcakes or other shareable treats.
- Generally, always use pure vanilla, unbleached flour, and unsalted butter
- Use a scale to weigh your ingredients. It’s far more accurate, and can make all the difference, especially with flour!
- Test and repeat! Particularly if you’re a complete beginner to baking, you’ll benefit from the repetition and it will feel great to get better results the second time. Practice makes perfect – and it’s tasty!
