Lads! Want to get into baking. Tried making a gingerbread, but

banana bread is EZ

>>9364610
Standing mixer and measuring cups as baking is very precise. Sifter would be my next recommendation. Also you'll need two large balls, testicles, to bake.

Lastly and most importantly is patience.

>>9364619
2nding this.

As for what tools you need? A fucking scale. More precise than using cups, and less cleanup as well.

File: Świąteczny-makowiec1-600x450.jpg (139KB, 600x450px) Image search: [Google]

139KB, 600x450px

>>9364619
Unfortunate, as it is my least favorite loaf.

>>9364626
It does seem like a standing mixer would've eliminated a lot of pain. Is there really any difference in quality in them, or can I just go for some cheap one?

>pic related: what i want to bake in a few months

>>9364667
>Is there really any difference in quality in them, or can I just go for some cheap one?

99% of cheap kitchenware is rubbish.
You want either a Kenwood or a Kitchenaid with the bowl-lift (as opposed to the tiling head). You can find either one cheap via garage sales, flea markets, craigslist, etc.

Biscuits/Scones and Quickbreads (Irish soda bread) are easy and don't require a stand mixer. Start with a basic recipe and play around with mix-ins, tweaking it as you learn.

>What are the minimum set of tools one should have if they want to bake?
digital scale
multiple mixing bowls (stainless steel or glass)
liquid measuring cups / spoons
whisk(s)
spatula(s)
electric mixer (hand or stand)
baking pans / sheets
cooling rack(s)

quick breads would probably be the most accesible.

>>9364667
There are tons of easy breads like that to make that aren't banana. Check out zucchini bread. It's amazing. Also get a KitchenAid.

Cookies are good like you said but look at variations. Biscotti. Different iced cookies--have you done royal icing yet? Check out easy cakes like carrot cake and whatnot and work on frosting them if you wanna go that route. Easy crowd pleasers. Maybe try some basic knead breads if you wanna make bread. Nothing like homemade bread. How about "bar" form desserts like lemon bars and oatmeal bars?

I'd say you need a stand mixer, measuring cups/spoons, a serrated knife, a rubber spatula, a couple different sized whisks, a set of offset spatulas (if you do cakes this is a MUST), a dough scraper (I use mine for everything from scraping dough to scraping off my knife while cutting, to cleaning countertops and cutting butter), and a couple cooling racks. Go to Walmart you can get this stuff for cheap. Buy new tools when you need them. Making a 3 layer 9" cake? Go to Walmart and buy 3 9" cake pans. Don't bother with disposable ones, it's a HUGE waste of money and they make the sides of your cakes all fucked up.

Stand mixer is expensive but I use it for just about everything.

Maybe look into a food processor eventually.

A pastry cutter would be nice too if you're doing scones or whatever. Don't go super cheap on this one (the difference between decent and cheap is only a couple dollars here).

Parchment paper is life.