THE BEST NEW BAKING GADGETS

We rate the latest kitchen kit each month – fnd more reviews at bbcgoodfood.com

If you’re doing a spot of Easter cake-making, or your baking kit is in need of an upgrade, here’s our round-up of the best new essentials… BEST WHISK Joseph Joseph Whiskle

£10 josephjoseph.com

This ingenious invention combines a whisk with a spatula. Once you’ve fnished whisking, you can turn the device over and use the built-in spatula to scrape the mixing bowl clean. The lightweight design means it can easily be used by kids, plus it’s dishwasher safe and very easy to clean. The spatula attachment makes it a little tricky to ft inside a cutlery drawer though, so keep it in a utensil pot instead.

BEST BAKING TIN Pushpan aluminium deep tin from £12 hobbycraft.co.uk

Pushpan does exactly what it says on the tin: these are genuinely non-stick tins, with no baking parchment required. During rigorous testing with wet batters, there were no nasty leaks – so no scrubbing burntcake of the bottom of the oven afterwards. The tin itself is fairly easy to clean, but, as is the case with most baking tins, we’d recommend hand-washing with soapy water, since dishwashers can diminish non-stick qualities.

BEST FOR ICING Wilton icing smoother £10.49 divertimenti.co.uk

To create a perfectly even fnish to your buttercream, invest in a decent smoother – they're much more efcient than a palette knife. This one looks like something a plasterer would use, and it gets the same results. Simply apply the buttercream, then hold onto the smoother’s comfort grips and place it up against the buttercream. If you have a turntable, spin the sponge and hold the smoother frmly in place so the buttercream spreads itself evenly over the cake. This gadget is 9 inches, making it ideal for tall, tiered cakes.

BEST FOR MEASURING Technoline digital kitchen spoon scales £9.99 maplin.co.uk

Digital spoon scales are invaluable when it comes to small amounts of ingredients, such as spices or baking powders, which need to be measured accurately. This scale will accurately weigh anything from 1g to 300g and it has a ‘hold’ function for locking the screen until you are ready to weigh.

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BEST GREEN GADGET If You Care large baking cups £1.61 biggreensmile.com

If you’re an environmentally minded cupcake fan, you can rest easy when you buy these premium-quality and entirely unbleached greaseproof baking cups. As well as being completely chlorine-free, the cups’ other impeccably green credentials include the use of vegetable-based inks and non-toxic glue, plus packaging that’s made from recycled materials. The cases are large enough to make standardsized mufns or huge cupcakes, and are microwave safe and oven safe up to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.

BEST FOR SAFETY Norpro silicone oven push/pull £8.75 amazon.co.uk

Bakers can stop worrying about burning their hands and arms on scorching hot ovens thanks to this nifty little handle. The Norpro device latches onto your cake dish (or any casserole dish for that matter) allowing you to remove your bake from the oven at arm’s length, with very little risk of burning yourself on hot parts. It’s also pretty handy for when you need to test your cake to make sure it’s cooked through – simply attach the device, pull out, pop in your skewer, then push the cake back in again. Easy peasy.

BEST INNOVATION PME baking belt £2.69 thecakedecoratingcompany.co.uk

Bake consistent, smooth-topped, crack-free cakes with this smart baking belt. Soak it in cold water and strap it around your cake tin, and the tin will then heat up uniformly – ensuring that your cake bakes at the same temperature throughout. Ideal for perfectionists and keen bakers, this inexpensive innovation will save you having to straighten your sponges with a leveller when you’re attempting a showstopping tiered cake. Do not use at temperatures exceeding 180C/160C fan/gas 4.