deglazing.com

If you are starting out in the kitchen, you may be wondering what do I need to have in my pantry to start baking.  Keep in mind this is just tips for a baking pantry, stay tuned for another post on a well stocked cooking pantry.  In the baker’s pantry I would suggest starting with sweeteners - light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, confectioner’s sugar, and honey (If you like you can have different kinds of honey - each has it’s own unique flavor).  The next thing you want to look at are different types of flour - unbleached all purpose flour, cake flour, wheat flour, and self-rising flour.  Each flour has many uses.  You should have both baking soda and baking powder, often times recipes call for both.  Salt is also essential to good baking, I like using kosher salt.  A good quality vanilla is an absolute for a good baking pantry.  A lot of people often have almond extract, as well.  Chocolate is a great ingredient to have in your pantry - depending on what type you like, you could have bittersweet, semi-sweet, milk chocolate or white chocolate.  I usually keep a few different kinds of chocolate on hand.  Nuts are also used frequently in baking.  I keep my nuts in the fridge to keep them from going rancid.  I would suggest having walnuts, pecan, or almonds on hand.   I always keep walnuts on hand, they are a really good multi-purpose nut.  I would also suggest you have a few key spices on hand, including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. 

There are also a few key ingredients you should have in your refrigerator.  I think it is important to have unsalted butter, milk, cream, and eggs (large), you may also want to include cream cheese.  So many recipes can be made from these ingredients.  I know that it may seem like a large expense when you start out, but once you get baking you will only have to buy those items that you have used.  Replacing used items is usually pretty inexpensive and can be done at your local grocery store, for the most part.