What are the must-knows for new bakers

I’m looking to improve my skills and bake more. I’m curious about what others think are the basics every baker should master.

My current list:

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • White bread loaf
  • Cinnamon or fruit rolls
  • Fruit Pie
  • Cheesecake
  • Layer Cake (chocolate and vanilla)
  • Brownies
  • Lemon curd
    If you’re outside the U.S., I’d love to hear how your list differs from mine!

Yes, totally agree! Understanding sugar in general can enhance your skills. Lamination is another good practice that people avoid, but it’s so useful. I recommend good butter like Plugra, as it makes a huge difference.

Don’t forget about buttercreams—American, French, Italian, and Swiss are all great to learn. Frostings, too, like ermine and stabilized whipped cream.

Learn chocolate basics as well—maybe start with tempering for decorations.

You should also explore different cake types like genoise and butter cake, and find reliable recipes for each.

Feel free to message me for more tips or resources!

It really depends on where you’re from. Having crowd favorites is important, but the list varies by region and culture. I suggest picking up a home economics textbook for some basic, useful recipes—around 10 to 12 of them.

Banana bread is a must! It teaches you the basics of quick breads, and you can branch out into other flavors from there.

Being open to new things and not fearing failure is key. Mistakes are the best teachers! I’ve been baking for 40 years, and I’m still learning.

Choux pastry is essential! You can use it for sweet treats like éclairs and cream puffs, or savory gougères.

A solid chocolate cake, a vanilla cake, chocolate chip cookies, and a great brownie.

Basic cookies and banana bread are great starting points. They’re easy to make, don’t need many tools, and are easy to customize.

You have a good starter list. My proudest moment was realizing I could create a basic cookie with things I had in the kitchen. You can also try muffins, cupcakes, cobblers, or pies. Knowing how to make a pie crust, both sweet and savory, is super useful!

For a good beginner yeast bread, try a no-knead recipe like this: Peasant Bread Recipe | King Arthur Baking.
Also, invest in a kitchen scale and instant-read thermometer—they’ll make your baking more accurate.

A great chocolate cake, vanilla cake, and Scottish shortbreads. Meringues are also good—they’re versatile for decoration or standalone desserts.

Mastering basic pastry can open up so many possibilities—both sweet and savory dishes.

A go-to cookie recipe is crucial. My regular chocolate chip and a double chocolate pudding cookie are always ready to go.

Awesome list! I’d suggest adding:

  • Ganache
  • Meringue
  • Pumpkin pie
  • Quick bread
  • Scones or biscuits
  • Mousse