1. Select a cookbook beginner bakers actually swear by.
2. Make "halfway homemade" recipes (like these peanut butter pretzel brownies) using cake mix.
3. Perfect your technique with a smart scale that tells you exactly how much of an ingredient to add.
4. Use the right kitchen mixer for whatever dough or batter you're making.
5. Keep an adjustable measuring cup so you don't have to go hunting for the 3/4 cup measure while your batter overmixes.
6. Learn all the best ingredient substitutions for when you're out of that one key ingredient (looking at you, buttermilk).
7. Supply your basic baking needs in one step with a nine-piece nesting set.
8. Keep your cupcakes and muffins uniform by using a batter scoop to fill the tin.
9. Or keep your counters mess-free by using a batter pen.
10. Learn what your ingredients are actually doing so you can customize recipes to your taste.
11. Invest in some Silpat baking mats that will change your cookie game.
12. Cool enough cookies for the biggest of bake sales on a three-tier, collapsible rack.
13. Impress your friends who like the edges best by baking brownies in a special pan.
14. Use a beater with rubberized blades so you don't have to scrape down the bowl with a spatula after adding each ingredient.
15. Try a one-step cake release instead of greasing and flouring to keep your baked goods stick-free.
16. Get the feel for knowing when a cake is done — it'll spring back against you when lightly pressed.
17. Wrap pans with reusable cake strips so your layers bake evenly.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.25.