In 2025, I will improve my baking skills with these 5 affordable gadgets and apps.

There’s nothing like enjoying a slice of warm homemade bread with a bit of butter; it’s truly a heavenly pleasure. However, baking bread at home can present certain challenges. Fortunately, there are tools and apps that can enhance your baking skills, and I’ve tried a good number of them. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to master the art of making perfect bread without needing a bread machine, you’ve come to the right place.

These apps and gadgets won't turn you into a master baker overnight. Mastering bread making can take time and practice, and you may find yourself with some breads that don’t meet your expectations. However, these tools will make tasks like fermentation, kneading, and scoring your homemade bread easier, while also providing ideas for new recipes. So put on your apron—it’s time to bake!

Inspiring Apps

Let’s start from the beginning: if you want to get into bread making, you’ll need recipes and inspiration. There are numerous cooking apps and websites, but some stand out particularly in the area of baking.

Tips for Making Bread

1. Perfect Fermentation: When using a proofing box for a basic white bread, set the minimum and maximum temperature to 30 degrees, and place your dough (covered with plastic wrap) for at least two hours. When the dough has doubled in size, you can easily store the proofing box. You can also leave the dough in the fridge overnight to enhance its flavor.

2. Kneading the Dough: When kneading dough for white bread in the Aucma, I leave it on for about five minutes on the second speed.

3. Don’t Weigh the Bowl!: Before weighing the ingredients, place the bowl on the scale and set it to zero so that the weight of the bowl does not add to that of the ingredients.

One of the recommended apps is Rise, perfect for those who want to learn how to make sourdough bread. While some recipes are free, the main features require a subscription of $3.99 / £3.99 / AU$5.99 a month, or a one-time payment of $19.99 / £19.99 / AU$22.99. The paid version includes reminders to feed your sourdough starter and recipes from other users, among other features. There are also free resources available for beginners.

If you prefer a less sourdough-focused option, consider Kneady. This app offers 50 freely accessible recipes, including boules and baguettes, although it also has a subscription service. The current subscription setup is somewhat confusing, but there are attractive offers that allow access to over 500 professional recipes and baking guides.

Precise and Useful Kitchen Scales

Having a good set of kitchen scales is essential for measuring ingredients accurately. Although traditional scales work, electronic ones tend to be more precise and convenient. An accessible suggestion is the Accuweight 201 Digital Kitchen Scales, which are reasonably priced and deliver good results.

A Stand Mixer with Dough Hook

While it’s not necessary to have a mixer for baking bread, having one with a dough hook makes kneading easier. A recommended option is the Aucma Stand Mixer, which includes various attachments and is easy to clean. For a more professional choice, the Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker could be ideal, although at a higher cost.

A Convenient Proofer

Using a proofer can make a difference by allowing the dough to rise in a controlled environment. An affordable option is the Versatile Dough Proofer from Molgayol, which includes a heating pad and a thermometer to control the proper temperature.

An Electric Knife for Slicing

Once your bread is ready and cooled, it’s time to slice it. If you prefer uniformity in your slices, an electric knife can be a good addition to your kitchen. There are accessible models that make this task easier.

With these tools and apps, you’ll be closer to becoming an expert baker. Enjoy that homemade bread!