7 Must-Have Tools To Make Baking Easier According to a Michelin Starred Pastry Chef
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Baking can be challenging. But if you’ve ever had a dessert course that has taken you to another world, the pastry chef It all seemed so easy. Mac Daniel Dimla, Executive Pastry Chef, is one such chef. Celebrated Los Angeles seafood restaurant Providence Dimla has ensured that the restaurant retains its Michelin stars since 2019. His pastry, ranging from a zero-waste bean-to-dessert chocolate program to candied buddha’s hand, has skyrocketed him to the top of the pastry world at the age of 27.
We were interested to learn what tips and tricks he uses in his private and professional kitchens. Dimla says that “it all starts with the basics, having the right ingredients and tools, and building from there.” If you’re looking to bake something you’re proud of in 2023, check out Dimla’s seven pastry and baking essentials below.
Chef Mac Daniel Dimla’s Pastry and Baking Essentials
Silpat Half Size Baking mat
To purchase: $23 (originally $37) amazon.com
“A Silpat is one of those things I think every kitchen should have, and I think I only know about it because I work in the industry,” Dimla says. He continues, “You can bake anything you’d use parchment with, and you don’t have to waste it. It’s very sustainable. It lasts for quite a while.” In fact, he says that “We’ve had silpats in the restaurants, using them every day, and they’ve lasted for over two years. They hold onto that value for a long time.” Silpats They are available in a variety of sizes and can even be purchased with a warranty. distinct designs So that your cookies are evenly spaced out. They are basically reusable parchment paper and fold up small for storage.
Silpat Silpain Premium Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat
To purchase: $31 amazon.com
“Pain, bread in French, is the Silpat I use for baking bread and reheating bread,” Dimla says. “The Silpain It acts as a rack and allows you to get a nice crust around the edges. Plus, because it has perforations, some of the dough will slip into it and you’ll end up with a really nice finish.” Dimla continued to say that the Silpain in many ways is the perfect compliment to the Silpat. He uses it for firmer doughs because it’s a bit sturdier and helps promote even baking.
KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand mixer
To purchase: $350 (originally $460). amazon.com
“I mean, why wouldn’t you want a stand mixer when you’re baking?” Dimla asks. “When it comes to managing time, whether you’re baking different things or just wanting to enjoy the process more, a stand mixer is essential,” Dimla says. His favorite is the KitchenAid Stand Mixer. You can choose from many different colors and it is big enough to hold all your dough, at least at home. The bowl can also be used to measure ingredients.
Escali Primo Kitchen Scale
To purchase: $25 amazon.com
“In the U.S., we are so used to using the imperial system, with cups and teaspoons, but when you want to bake something you’re proud of, the scale just makes that much more accurate,” Dimla says. Dimla’s scale of choice is this one from Escali. The device is slim and lightweight, but it has all the features you need. You can use it to measure grams and ounces. It also has a clever tare feature, which allows you to measure all ingredients together in one bowl. It’s also spill-proof (I can personally vouch for this as I’ve spilled several cups of milk on mine, and it still works).
Tiger Chef 9-Piece Ice Cream Scoop Set
To purchase: Get $86 amazon.com
“This is one of the things I learned from professional kitchens, and it has saved me from doing so many dishes,” Dimla says. “These ice cream scoops These are great for scooping batters or portioning cookies. But, I actually use them to portion ingredients. It is so much easier to grab ingredients from the container, and measure them with the scale, instead of trying to pour a container into a bowl, and messing up,” he says.
Ateco Offset Spatula
To purchase: $9 amazon.com
This offset spatula isn’t just great for icing cakes, although it’s great for that too. It’s a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to pastry. Dimla says that “this is probably the one tool I couldn’t live without.” He uses it to cut butter or to scoop ingredients in a pinch. “Because it’s so thin it can go right through semi-cold butter. It’s a multipurpose tool that people don’t really realize. But when we lose it, at the restaurant, we’re all scrambling because it’s so essential.”
Mafter Bourgeat Kitchen Spatula
To purchase: $25 amazon.com
Dimla says he does have a Martha Stewart rubber spatula at his home but recommends one brand over the others when it comes down to this important tool. “We use Mafter at Providence and it’s so much better,” Dimla says. “It can take a higher heat than most so you can use it to make caramel, and it’s durable enough to go into the stand mixer without breaking to bits.” Dimla also mentioned it’s the perfect size — medium — making it ready for just about any task when it comes to baking.