half sheet pan
Possibly the most useful skillet anyone can have at home is a frying pan. They come in a variety of sizes, but the half-sheet size of 12"x16" is the most useful. It's a large, flat pan with a shallow rim to make sure it doesn't slip. (The edge makes it different from a perfectly flat cookie sheet.)
Half sheet pans are great for cookies (no need to buy traditional cookie sheets), jelly rolls, scones, or to slide under juicy pies while baking in the oven. Outside of baking, they're also used for roasting potatoes and vegetables, roasting nuts, and making sheet pan dinners.
While you only need one of most baking pans, it can be helpful to have two half-baked pans. That way, when the first batch of cookies comes out, you can prepare another batch to put in the oven.
muffin pan
Like pans, muffin pans come in different sizes from 6 to 24 cups, and there are also mini-cup and large-cup versions, but a 12-cup muffin pan is standard. It can be used in muffins, cupcakes and popcorn. Also, most cake recipes can be adjusted and baked in the muffin pan by changing the baking time.
bread pan
The loaf pan is what you need to make things like banana and zucchini bread, homemade sandwich bread, and pound cake. Meatloaf can also be baked in a loaf pan. 9"x5" is the standard size for almost any recipe, but you may also find larger or smaller sizes.
Bund pot
A pan is a solid piece with grooved or fluted sides and a domed bottom. The center post allows for a quicker and more even bake for deep cakes. When the baking is done, turn the pan over and let the cake slide out. It should be well lubricated to ensure the details come out cleanly.
Sheet pans are great for cakes, coffee cakes, and pound cakes that don't require frosting.
round cake pan
Cake pans are traditionally purchased in two different sizes, 8 inches or 9 inches. While both are useful, they are not necessary when trying to start baking. Look at the recipes you like to make and note which one is more commonly used for things you've already made before buying.
The difference you will see is that cake recipes made in 8 inch pans will be taller and take longer to cook than cake recipes made in 9 inch pans, you may have to discard some of the 9 inch pans batter for the recipe as it may not fit in the smaller pan. These pans are used for cakes, layer cakes, cinnamon rolls, and pull-out rolls. They can even be used to make deep dish pies.
If you plan to make a layer cake, it's wise to buy two round cake pans of the same size.
square cake pan
Square cake pans also come in 8-inch and 9-inch sizes, and the same theory applies to the round cake pan you should buy first. These pans are needed to make brownies, cookies, square cakes, crumb cakes, gingerbread and cornbread.
roasting pan
The sides of the pan are higher than the pan, making it a better cake option than cookies. 9"x13" is the standard size required for most crepes and baking mixes. You can use this pan to make cakes, cookies, cobblers or rice crackers. They can also be used in casseroles, baked pasta, and grilled meats and vegetables.
If you don't have a 9x13-inch pan, you can still easily make the recipe using two 8-inch or two 9-inch cake pans.
spring pan
Springform pans consist of two parts: the bottom and a removable outer rim that loosens after baking. This is a pan for any type of recipe, you can't release it upside down, that's why it has a removable bottom. In this case, the thicker the walls of the pan the better, 9" is the standard size. Look for a pan with a protruding lip on the bottom, which will prevent the thin batter from leaking out or water from the water bath leaking in.
Springform pans can be used to make cheesecakes, pies, quiches, torte, regular cakes and freezer cakes.
pie plate
While metal is a better choice for a baking pan for beginners, I recommend glass for a pie pan. Because you can see through them, it's easier to tell when your case is browning and it has better thermal conductivity.
You can buy 9-inch or 10-inch pie pans. They also come in deep-dish varieties, which can hold more fillings than traditional pie pans. In addition to what you need to make pies, pie pans can also be used to make mince pies and quiches.
Remember, if you're just starting out, you probably don't need all of these pans. But check out the recipes you want to try to see which ones are most useful to start building your collection.
