It’s a question that even the most seasoned bakers find themselves asking when whipping up a new recipe – “What mixer attachment should I use?” While some recipes specify which type of attachment to use every step of the way, many leave the information out, leaving you to make your own assumptions. However, making the wrong guess can lead to improperly mixed batters or doughs, negatively impacting the final texture of your baked good.
As passionate bakers, we want to help take the guesswork out of baking so you can create consistently delicious and irresistible desserts. Read on for the ultimate guide to mixers and mixer attachments, including the best uses for each type.
How to use a Flat Beater Attachment
The flat beater attachment, also known as the paddle attachment, is the most commonly used attachment for stand mixers because it is highly versatile and great for a wide variety of mixing tasks in the kitchen. If your recipe calls for ingredients to be creamed, beaten or mixed, this is the attachment to reach for. It’s the best attachment to use for creaming together butter and sugar, mixing cookie dough, beating together cake batters, brownie batters and heavy frostings.
How to Use a Whisk Attachment
Similar to the smaller handheld version of this tool, the whisk attachment is best used for quickly incorporating air into light, liquid mixtures. If your recipe calls for whipping or whisking ingredients, this is the best tool for the job. The power and speed from your stand mixer mean that this attachment is a real time-saver (not to mention an arm-saver!) when whipping together lighter frostings, meringues, egg whites, whipped cream or any recipe component that calls for a lighter, more airy texture.
How to Use a Dough Hook Attachment
As the name suggests, dough hook attachments are best for kneading together bread doughs and pizza doughs, but they can also be used to mix pasta dough. While this tool is not as versatile as the flat beater attachment, it drastically reduces time and effort spent kneading dough. There are two versions of this attachment: the C-shaped dough hook and the spiral-shaped dough hook. Both styles can handle the same tasks, so you can use whichever comes with your stand mixer.
How to Use Hand Mixer Attachments
If you have both a stand mixer and a handheld electric mixer, you have probably noticed how similar the attachments are for the two types of mixers. Electric hand mixer attachments are miniature versions of stand mixer attachments and can be used for all the same purposes. The flat-bladed paddle beaters are best for beating batters and frostings, whisk attachments are best for whipping liquids and egg whites, and dough hooks can make quick work of smaller dough projects.
Hand Mixer Or Stand Mixer?
Owners of both types of mixers often face the same question each time they bake – should I use a hand mixer or a stand mixer? Ultimately, there won’t be any differences in the final recipe, but there are some differences in terms of convenience. Hand mixers are easier to clean and maneuver around a bowl, while stand mixers are easier to use and can create meringues and knead doughs faster. Additionally, the larger attachments and mixing bowls make stand mixers better for recipes with higher ingredient volume or serving counts. If you are making a larger batch of baked goods and have the option, a stand mixer is the way to go. However, if you only have an electric hand mixer available, it will still save you a ton of time compared to manual mixing.
Learn more about mixing techniques, including how to whip ingredients and how to cream ingredients, at BetterYourBake.com. Let us know which recipes you’re mixing up using your newfound knowledge of mixers by tagging us on social media using #NielsenMasseyInspires.
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