Update: I answered a bunch of FAQs about baking and ingredients on Instagram. You can see them all here!
I’ve been asked multiple times about where to find cooking chocolate, cream cheese, frozen fruits and a whole bunch more. I decided it was time to create a little ingredient sourcing list here. This list is in no way exhaustive, I’ll add more information as I find it, so feel free to add your tips in the comments below, everyone could use them. There’s also a section on baking equipment that I hope you find helpful!
1. Butter
I use Amul butter, available literally everywhere and always affordable. They also have an unsalted butter now which is also good and priced similarly. I’ve seen it at Food Hall and on Big Basket. President butter is also available easily now and its flavour is richer and creamier and I’ve used that a lot too.
2. Cream Cheese
I prefer Indian brands like La Cremella and D’Lecta. Available at Food Hall, Nature’s Basket, Big Basket and Amazon.
3. Whipping Cream
Amul does have whipping cream, look out for the red carton, not the blue! It is on Big Basket and at Food Hall and Reliance Fresh. If you do find it, buy the smaller 200 ml cartons because dairy-based whipping cream cannot be stored in the fridge for long and does go waste. Imported brands are fine too, just more expensive.
For longer-lasting, non-dairy options, check out Rich and Tropolite at Arife, Crawford Market. I don’t use these but I’ve heard that they’re good.
4. Cooking Chocolate
I now use Amul 75% chocolate in almost all my baking. While it isn’t strictly cooking chocolate, it’s great quality and any dark chocolate with minimal ingredients works well. I’ve also used the more expensive brand Cocoa Craft, available on Amazon at Food Hall as well.
5. Chocolate Chips
Ok, I have a confession. I ask family and friends coming to India to get me bags of Hershey’s, Nestle or Ghirardelli chocolate chips because for the life of me, I don’t know where you get them here. Indah and Urban Platter have Indian-made chocolate chips and while they’re not my first choice, they’re ok to use.
6. Cocoa Powder
I use either Hershey’s, both available online, at big supermarkets and gourmet food stores. For Dutch-processed cocoa powder which is great in baked goods like this, try Indah, sometimes available on Amazon.
7. Vanilla
I was guilty of using the little imitation bottles for a while and I know they’re cheap and seem like the easy solution. But pure vanilla extract is available these days and is not a bad investment considering it lasts for a while and the flavour is unparalleled if you’re a regular baker. I like Sprig and at the moment, I’m using McCormick’s from the US. You could even make your own!
Sprig sells vanilla beans online and you can buy them at Fab India and Nature’s Basket. If you make a trip to Coorg or Kerala, be sure to pick up some vanilla beans there, they’re the best 🙂
8. Sugars
I use Blue Bird caster sugar or Dhampur in pretty much everything because it melts down faster and better than granulated sugar.
The brown sugar I use is usually the soft, dark brown kind. Tate & Lyle is my go-to and I’ve seen some online by Urban Platter as well. Coconut sugar is a good, healthier alternative and I’ve used the one by Sattvic.
9. Flours
Your favourite brand of atta (wholewheat flour) and maida (all-purpose flour) is absolutely fine to use. Sattvic has great alternate options like rye, buckwheat and coconut flour.
For oat flour, just grind up your favourite cooking oats in a blender, it makes an amazing substitute in things like pancakes! When using whole oats, I use rolled oats by True Elements, Quaker, By Nature or Sattvic.
10. Yeast
Blue Bird active dry yeast is my go-to option but other Indian brands include Blossom and Crown.
11. Cheeses
Imported brands will cost you an arm and leg. Thankfully, organic brands in India now make and sell gourmet cheeses at affordable prices. Check out Kodai, D’lecta and Mooz cheeses on Big Basket, at Nature’s Basket, Food Hall.
12. Frozen Berries
Delish sells frozen strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. You will find them at Nature’s Basket, Food Hall and Big Basket.
Baking equipment
Oven: I own a Morphy Richards 28 ltr OTG and it’s like an extension of me. I love it to bits! It fits all the standard size baking pans, and while I do need to bake in batches when it comes to cookies and muffins, it’s not a huge issue.
Baking pans: All kinds of baking pans are now available online. I’m talking springform, donut pans, muffin trays, loaf tins and square baking tins. I don’t have any favourite brands here, but I prefer non-stick when possible.
Mixing bowls: These are crucial if you don’t have a stand-mixer (I do have one now, but never felt like I was missing out before). Along with a good hand mixer, you’ll never have trouble making a large cake batter if you have a deep, sturdy mixing bowl. Borosil is my favourite here, I have a set of two great glass bowls.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: You’ll find endless options online. I have two sets in plastic and one in stainless steel. It’s also a good idea to buy an inexpensive set of kitchen scales for weight measures.
Hand mixer: I used an Orpat mixer for years but recently switched to Philips and really love it!