13 buys every Bake Off fan needs – to release their inner Paul Hollywood

We are big fans of The Great British Bake Off – and it's back on 22nd September! We love that for one glorious hour a week we get to watch Prue Leith be savagely sarcastic, Paul Hollywood give out handshakes like they are knighthoods, and Noel Fielding prance about in his edgy shirts just looking wildly out of place. We'll miss you Sandi Toksvig, but we're looking forward to seeing Matt Lucas every week. Wonder if he'll work a baked potato into the mix...? 

Oh and obviously, there's a load of actual baking in there too and it tends to get the entire nation inspired to get in the kitchen. So if you are feeling this communal need to whip up a Croquembouche (that turns out like more like a wonky tower of soggy pastry) here is everything you need to become a Star Baker... And, just like on An Extra Slice, we'd love you to get in touch with your creations (no Tom on the RH.com team to make sarcastic comments, though).

Find all our kitchen ideas on our dedicated page.

• See what Bake Off finalists want in their dream kitchen

1. The Great British Bake Off Book 

Just ignore how uncomfortable Paul Hollywood looks here, and focus on the fact that this book is actually filled with gorgeous baking recipes that are fab for amateur bakers. They are based on some of the classic tasks from the show (make simpler and more straightforward might we add) so you can impress friends and family with your showstoppers!

2. Bakers gonna bake personalised apron

First things first, an apron is a necessity for ensuring minimal clothes get ruined. And it's not only for those who are messy in the kitchen, as who doesn’t love a personalised item? Print your name, signature slices and level of experience if you really want to sink your teeth in.

3. Salter Digital Kitchen Weighing Scales

It’s a well known fact that one of the main pieces of equipment you need before you get your bake on is a pair of kitchen scales. These are the actual ones contestants use in the Bake Off, and for good reason. They're easy to use, even easier to clean thanks to being stainless steel and also have the functionality and reliability needed for your baking and food preparation needs. Did we mention they're extremely reliable?

Discover more kitchen scales here

4. Mason Cash ceramic mixing bowl

Pretty much a given, there’s nothing a baker needs more than a bowl to mix their ingredients in. Perfectly high walled, this ceramic bowl is just the one for those who tend to spill flour over the edge, and is renowned for lasting and lasting. It comes in two sizes: 4.3ltrs and 5.5ltrs.

5. Amazon Echo Show

Amazon's newest Alexa product, the Echo Show is the latest smart home gadget you need sitting in your kitchen. You can ask anything from playing your favourite song to get you in the baking mood, to help with a recipe or to convert measurements. You won't even have to worry about washing the batter off your hands before you operate it, as it's voice activated. You can also watch Youtube cooking videos for some inspo...

6. Get A Grip disposable piping bags

Decorating your creation is just as important as baking it, and these Lakeland piping bags aren’t only disposable, but unlike other piping bags, they’ve got a lot of grip. You can cut them to fit if needed, and they’re strong enough to hold a lot of icing. As perfect for beginners as they are for experts, just snip the end off and get piping. 

7. Re-usable cake tester

Putting a fork in your cake just doesn’t cut it any more, so grab yourself a cake tester and never under-bake or ruin a cake again. This handy little gem from Lakeland isn’t only re-useable, it actually turns a different colour when your cake is ready. If that isn’t precision, then we don’t know what is…

8. Kitchen Craft non-stick stackable bakeware set 

Beginner, expert or just a hobby baker, you can go a long way with a good set of pans. A lack of space is one thing to put to the back of your mind as this Kitchen Craft seven-piece set easily stacks together into the largest tin, and includes every piece you’ll need. Non-stick is one thing we love, and for a bonus, they’re BPA free.

9. Kitchen conversions wall art

For those who don’t know kitchen conversions (guilty), don’t worry about getting flour all over your phone screen after Googling what you need to know, as this handy print helps you work it out by yourself. Hang it in your kitchen and you’ll become a master in no time. 

10. Sage The Bakery Boss stand mixer 

Who says your arms have to be tired of mixing after you’ve made a cake? Introducing the Bakery Boss, your newest best friend. A serious machine for a serious baker with a whopping capacity of 4.7ltrs and a range of attachments, you can’t really go wrong. Making it easy to create anything from thick dough to delicate and fluffy meringues, it also has a timer to allow you to become the ultimate multi-tasker.

Find the best blender 2020 in our buyer's guide

11. Cuisinart expert prep pro 

If you don't have a ton of space on your countertop or in your cupboard for a full on stand mixer, the Cuisinart Expert Prep Pro is a compact food processor. It can do so much – chopping, slicing, dicing, grating, mixing annnnd blending. Plus it can spiralise your veggies too! Cuisinart also make a mini version that's only £50!

12. A Breville Hand Mixer with HeatSoft Technology 

Oh, this is such a game changer. We actually had the pleasure of testing it out with the guidance of Candice Brown who won The Great British Bake Off in 2016 and can definitely say that this new mixer from Breville is awesome. It's kind of like you've stuck a hand mixer on a hairdryer. The result is a fab piece of kit that blows warm air into your ingredients as you mix them. This saves loads of time as you don't have to wait for your butter to get to room temp before you whip up a super light sponge.

13. Canton cake stand

What better way to show off your marvellous creation than with a glass cake stand? This one from Wayfair's range does the job and plenty more when it comes to keeping your showstopper fresh, and in terms of ease-of cleaning, it's dishwasher safe.

Once the cake has been eaten, you can even turn the lid the other side up and use it as a cocktail glass. You're welcome!

Main photo courtesy of Channel 4

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