Baking cakes at home doesn’t only fill the house with a hearty aroma, it fills it with a memorable taste of pure cheer. My mother-in-law told me traditionally the cake batter was mixed with a manual whisk which is supposed to make your cake taste better.
Not going into the science of this but I know this process absolutely sucks. As a casual baker, I just want the process to be fast and the end product to be tasty. And I know having a blender just helps to save time like blending eggs, making whipped cream, etc.
I started to research or test actively about 29 different blenders available in the market before settling down for 1 which I feel is the best of the lot with one feature that other blenders do not have. Will share with you shortly why I decided to get it for myself later.
If you are getting a blender for the first time, do note that hand mixers are normally used by casual bakers. If you need something suitable to be used by both professional or casual bakers, you can go for professional stand mixers or handheld immersion blender. These devices are incredibly efficient and does not take up alot of kitchen space.
Before you get fired up to press the buy button, do note that not all blenders are suitable for mixing cake batter. Some have extra aggressive blades that extract gluten from the ingredients, which makes the cake rather rubbery. Other blenders come with adjustable power settings that avoid that entirely, and these are the ones we set our sights on.
Here’s a roundup of the 10 best blenders for baking cakes, and also my useful guide to help you in choosing the right one.
Best Blenders Table Comparison
| Product | Editor's Choice | |
|---|---|---|
  | Best Overall - KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Blender | |
  | Best Budget - Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick Immersion Hand Blender | |
  | Best Runner Up - Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Blender |
Best Overall
KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Blender
Highlighted Features
- Over 12 optional attachments which besides blending eggs or cake batter, you can even make fusilli pasta from scratch or shred a block of Parmesan cheese
- Bowl-Lift design where you do not need to hold on to the bowl when the action is ongoing saving time and effort
- 10 speed settings ensures no dough are left out during the mixing process
- 6-Qt. Stainless Steel Bowl with Comfortable Handle ensures you to bake more within a single batch
- Dishwasher safe for easy washing
I have searched high and wide and so far i cannot find any blender than provide more optional attachments than the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Blender. So I have used it to blend my cake batter, eggs, make pasta or doing cheese shredding and there are still other attachements I haven’t got to use.Â
This feature bascially will put a few of my existing appliances into extinction saving me more space in the process. Oh yea, during the whole blending process, you do not have to hold on to the bowl as it have a bowl-lift design. It will saves you alot of energy compared to using a hand mixer or handheld blender.
If you are worried that a countertop blender like the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Blender will not blend as well as an immersion blender,the 67-Point Planetary Mixing Action solves this issue. The 10 speed settings will ensure every cake batter or eggs you throw in are blended to perfection that makes you feel like a professional baker.
If you have a large family like me, the 6 Qt stainless bowl will have enough space to make the likes of 13 dozen cookies, 8 loaves of bread or 8 pounds of mashed potatoes in a single batch.
And if you hate washing, this amazing machine is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. If you are on a tight budget, you may like to check out my #2 review for Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick Immersion Hand Blender which have limited features but still does the job well.
Pros
- Over 10 colors available
- 67-Point Planetary Mixing Action
- Multipurpose attachment hub, over 12 optional attachments
- Includes burnished Powerknead spiral dough hook, burnished flat beater, wire whip, and 1 piece pouring shield, 1-year warranty
- 10 speed settings
Cons
- Can be abit pricey compared to other blenders but the feature of having so many optional attachments just makes it one of the best in the market
Best Budget
Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick Immersion Hand Blender
Highlighted Features
- Ergonomic design
- Non-slip handle
- Extra whisk and frother
The Muller hand blender brings in the best of both worlds: powerful blending and soft mixing. That’s because its accessory set includes a whisk along with the blending head. This setup is perfect for whipping up a perfect cake batter. It’s no wonder then that this model is hugely popular.
The whisk isn’t the only accessory that you’d get. There’s also a milk frother that’ll complement your cake with sophisticated espresso and milk beverages.
The handle of an immersion type blender is among the major points that we look at. It needs to be comfortable to hold, easy to move around, and it should be completely non-slip. The ergonomically designed silver-and-black handle fits the bill, and on top of that, the controls are accessible and well-positioned.
There are two speed settings on the Mueller, so you can choose the high or low power as required for your dishes and beverages. It’s a slim stick that you can use for blending a wide variety of substances, inside the serving containers, pitchers, or even glasses. I personally still prefer a blender that have bowl lift design like the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Blender so i don’t have to hold it forever with aching arms.
This blender is a European design, and this comes in compliance with a bunch of quality standards. For example, the copper motor can be operated continuously, and it would still last three times more than similar devices. It’s not surprising then that it has a full year warranty period.
If you are looking for a blender that have more features offers the best bang for your bucks, check out my #3 review for the Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Blender below.
Pros
- Versatile blender
- Easy to carry
- Comes with practical accessories
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Not suitable for preparing large batches of cake batter
Best Runner Up
Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Blender
Highlighted Features
- 4 optional attachments –
Chef’s whisk, dough hook, flat mixing paddle, splash guard with pour spout - 5.5-Quart Stainless Steel Bowl enough for 5 dozen cookies or stirs 6 cups of dry ingredients.
- Splash Guard provided which prevents spattering
- 12 speed options makes blending easy
If you are look something that is best value for money, I will recommend the Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Blender.Even though it does not have as many attachments as the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Blender, the 4 optional attachments should still be able to get most job done for casual bakers.
The 5.5 Quart size should be enough for you to feed smaller families in one baking batch. What I like also is the Splash Guard provided which prevents spattering and does not turn the kitchen into a big mess.
The powerful 500-watt motor and 12 speeds option lets you tackle even the most sticky batter. It also comes with multiple colors you can definitely choose one that will fit well into your kitchen.
Pros
- Versatile blender
- Die cast metal construction
- Easy-to-grip handle for stainless steel bowl
- Dishwasher Safe
Cons
- May not be suitable for large families but the functions and price is just unbeatable for a casual home baker.
Best Immersion Blender For Baking
Elechomes Hand Immersion Blender
Highlighted Features
- Integrated 4-in-1 set
- BPA-free containers
- Adjustable speed
- Turbo mode
- Powerful low-noise motor
- Ergonomic handle
It’s hard to call this device a ‘hand blender’ since the set up matches the functions of a food processor. The 4-in-1 Elechomes immersion blender comes with a 500 ml chopper, an egg whisk, in addition to an 800 ml graded beaker.
With an 800-Watt durable motor you can do a lot of blending without worrying that the device would heat up or stall. You can dial the speed setting that you need, and apply the stick blender right away. It would start at a low speed then incrementally reach the set speed. This feature is amazing in minimizing food splashing and enhancing the texture of the mix.
As for the mini chopper, it’s equipped with powerful blades, strong enough to handle mincing meat. The 500 ml can be used for chopping up onions, garlic, mint, spinach, fruits, and blending a host of other food materials. Being small and compact often means that it’ll be your little helper in the kitchen at all times. And if you’d like to stow it away, there are many spaces that’ll do like a drawer or a shelf. It doesn’t occupy that much real estate.
There are many blending choices in this set, and you can adjust the blending speed as well. It’s thus well prepared to help you with almost all of your food mixing requirements. Adding and removing the different accessories is quite easy with the snap-type mechanism.
Working with this set is a lot like having a kitchen machine, but unlike food processors, it’s portable, easy to work with, and comes at a fraction of their cost.
The design of this blender is quite sleek, it’s comfortable to carry, and it’s easy to work with. Its contours fit right into the hands, so it shouldn’t slip and fall off as you move it around the mixing bowl.
Pros
- High power extra sturdy motor
- Budget-friendly price
- Dial speed selector and turbo option
- Well-designed comfortable handle
- Full set of accessories and parts
- Versatile and multifunctional
Cons
- The parts aren’t marked as dishwasher friendly
Chefman Immersion Stick Hand Blender
Highlighted Features
- Ergonomic design
- Multifunctional
- Dual speeds
- Powerful motor
- One-hand control
A counter blender is a brilliant appliance to have around your kitchen, but it’s not the only option you have for blending cake batter. Hand blenders are just as capable to mix your ingredients, and they come at significantly lower price points.
The 300-Watt Chefman Immersion stick is a powerful mixer that can reach all around your container. Use it to mix the ingredients inside a bowl, a cooking pot, or a mug. Even if you’re making a smoothie in a slim jar, you can still use this blender and get the job done neat and sweet.
There are two-speed settings for this blender. So you can choose the higher setting as you whip up the eggs and other wet ingredients, then slow it down to mix in the flour. Following this simple procedure helps a lot in creating soft and airy cakes.
Popping all the ingredients inside a counter blender definitely has some perks, like the fact that you wouldn’t have to do the actual blending. However, the ergonomic design and soft handle of the Chefman makes the blending process much easier. It’s designed to put the least possible load on your hands and arms.
You can use the Chefman for mixing cake batter, making smoothies, blending a hot soup, or preparing a dip.
Pros
- Powerful blending of various substances
- Reaches all around the mixing container
- Dishwasher-friendly blade
- Comes with a digital user’s guide
- Budget-friendly price
Cons
- You have to be holding it the whole time
- The customer service is rather slow in responding to users
Best Blender For Smoothie
Blendtec Classic 575 Kitchen Blender
Highlighted Features
- Advanced design
- Touch panel
- Timed cycles
- 5-speed settings
- 4 pre-programmed settings
The Blendtec Classic is actually quite modern. It incorporates some of the most innovative leading-edge techs in its design. All geared towards making it a blender you can use for mixing practically anything.
The sleek touch panel shows 4 pre-programmed cycles with various mixing intensities. But if you’d rather take matters into your own hands, there are 5 manual speed settings to choose from. On top of that, there are two timed-cycles, 60 and 90 seconds, which leaves your hands free for other tasks.
The jar design is another noteworthy point since it doesn’t resemble the typical cylindrical shape of blender jars. This patented design actually pulls in all the ingredients towards the blade, which evens out the texture of the blended substances.
Overall, the Blendtec has all the adjustability you need to prepare your cake mixes. And if you’d like to throw in a few smoothies beside your bakeries, it would be the perfect kitchen assistant. You can even go a step further and prepare a hot topping by using the heating option in the blender.
Pros
- Innovative motor with a powerful performance
- Adjustable speed facilitates controlling the batter mixing
- Large 90 oz jar
- Hands-free operation by using the timed cycles
- Strong blades for quick action
- Patented jar design for efficient blending
- Cleanup cycle for easy maintenance
Cons
- Doesn’t come with an instructions manual
- Might not be too effective in blending frozen fruit
NutriBullet ZNBF30500Z Blender Combo
Highlighted Features
- 1200 Watt motor
- Three speeds
- Pulse function
- Full extraction option
- Large jar plus smaller blending cups
The Nutribullet is one of a larger family of Bullet Blenders. Each one is designed for a specific application. Unlike this one, which is a jack-of-all trades, and it certainly masters the arts of mixing food.
This blender has a basic large jar with a couple of smaller blending cups. This is great when you have to mix a bundle of substances simultaneously. Cleaning up after each batch to proceed with the work would be a waste of your time and effort. Instead, you can use the three containers and tidy up the whole thing later.
The NutriBullet is a powerful blender that hands you total control. You get to decide how soft or how aggressive you’d want it to be. There are three basic speeds, an extraction option, and you also have a pulse function. Getting a cake batter to the right consistency should be a breeze with this blender.
One of the signature perks of the Bullet Blenders is their on-the-go cups. You can mix your drinks in the blending cups, then cover them with lids, and take them out. You can also store them in the fridge for a later time. This might sound like a simple addition, but it’s so practical that you’ll ask yourself how you ever survived without these little covered cups before.
Pros
- Multifunctional combo
- Powerful motor
- Adjustable speed settings
- Comes with 2 traveler cups
- BPA-free pitcher and cups
- Moderately priced
- One-year limited warranty
- Comes with a recipe book
Cons
- It’s a noticeably loud blender
Ninja Professional Countertop Blender
Highlighted Features
- Extra large mixing container
- Powerful Six-blade assembly
- High wattage
- 4 blending programs
- 4 speed levels
- Pulse function
The Ninja Professional is another beast of a blender that gets a ton of stuff done quickly and effectively. And on top of that, it comes at a great price.
This 1000-Watt blender can handle 64-oz of fluids inside its large 72-oz jug. And as it has a steady solid base, it wouldn’t show much agitation while mixing your foods. The six-blade assembly can crash ice or frozen fruits in seconds.
Alternatively, if you need a softer blend, you can choose one of 4 present programs. You could also go fully manual and pick a suitable speed. Moreover, if the cake mix needs just an occasional swirl, you could use the pulse function for that.
The plastic parts of the Ninja blender are BPA-free, which is always required from our food containers. They’re also dishwasher friendly, so cleaning up shouldn’t be much trouble.
There’s so much you can do with this rugged blender, and you’d like more inspiration, it comes with a recipe book containing 25 different culinary ideas.
Pros
- Adjustable power settings
- Powerful motor
- Large BPA-free jug
- Elegant design
- Comes with a recipe book
- Affordable price
Cons
- The jug material isn’t too sturdy
Best Handheld Blender For Baking
THRITOP Cordless Kitchen Hand Blender
Highlighted Features
- Bendable
- Two speeds settings
- Accessories suitable for mixing cake
- cordless
There are several unique features that come with the THRITOP. The most striking is its being bendable, and the other great thing is it’s being cordless. Imagine carrying around a hand mixer as you travel, so you can keep creating your favorite dishes, even in a basic kitchen at a cabin.
The vacation option is great, but the perks of having this blender in your current kitchen are plentiful as well. The THRITOP blender comes with whisks that would mix your cake batter to perfection. And as you work with the handle you can set it at a right angle, or a wider 135 degree tilt, so you would stay comfortable as you whip up dessert.
There are two speed settings for this blender. So you can use this blender in mixing up hard or soft food substances, to the texture and smoothness that you like.
Once you’re done, cleaning up the parts is a breeze. The accessories are all dishwasher-friendly. As for the handle and its recharging, you can use the USB cable that’s included with the package, and hook it up for about 4 ½ hours. This would get your unit fully charged, and it would give you a whole hour of continuous operation.
Pros
- Well-suited for mixing cake
- Adjustable working angle
- Two speeds
- Fully portable
- Cordless with USB charging
- Ergonomic handle
- Easy cleaning and storage
- Comes at a nice price
Cons
- The charging port is a bit fragile, so needs careful handling
YUKAKI Hand Blender
Highlighted Features
- Designed for mashing and mixing batter
- Versatile usage
- Comfortable grip
Few blenders are capable of doing a good job with mixing cake batter, and we often need to be careful with the speed settings. This one, however, is designed to mix the ingredients without destroying their starch content.
Thus, for under $50, you can get a perfect mixer for your desserts. With this agile hand blender, you can fluff up whipped cream, mix a cake batter that comes out of the oven light and airy, put together a pancake mix in a jiffy, or even make a crumble pastry. All this should be carried out with the special aerating blade, which would take your baked foods to a pro-level.
Moreover, if you want to use it for savory dishes, there’s plenty you can do, from soups to perfect mashed potatoes. Guacamole and hummus dips will also be a breeze to do, and you can mix them up in their serving bowls. In addition, it would be a great assistant while preparing baby food.
The grip of this blender is non-slip and quite comfortable to use. It will keep working as long as you’re pressing the power button, which is a part of your natural grip.
Pros
- Versatile for savory and sweet blending
- Gentle mixing for a perfect cake
- Easy to clean in the sink or dishwater
- One-year warranty
Cons
- The speed is not adjustable
- You need to stay pressing on the power button while working
Best Blender For Ice And Frozen Fruit
Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender
Highlighted Features
- 5 preset blending programs
- Variable speed control
- Pulse feature
- Self-cleaning
The Vitamix is a sturdy, versatile, and highly adjustable blender. It can process almost all of your food materials to the consistency that you like. That’s why we trust it in handling cake mixes and various types of batter without affecting the texture of the baked goodies.
This blender is among few tough models capable of grinding nuts, coffee beans, and chunks of fruits. In addition, it can be used with ease for preparing hot soups, ice cream, baby food, dips, salsas, smoothies, and of course, cake mixes.
The best feature of Vitamix is the pre-programmed settings. This option removes the guesswork from choosing the right blending speed. Which ensures that you’d always get the finest culinary results.
One of the main reasons for using a blender to mix cake batter is the need to keep the kitchen counter free from clutter. And that’s exactly what you’d get with this low-profile blender. For even more convenience, the cord length is a practical 6-ft long cable that connects easily to the 120 Volt mains.
The extra-durable blades, which are made from aircraft-grade stainless steel, are definitely a big plus in the Vitamix. This guarantees the finest mixing even of the harder food substances. Moreover, this part is among the quickest to go in blenders. Thus, having a sturdy blade would naturally extend the lifespan of your blender.
Pros
- Versatile usage as it can be used to mix a variety of foods
- A powerful motor which can handle mixing cake mixing
- Large 64-ounce container
- Easy to operate and clean up
- Compact and fully portable
- Visually pleasing and would look good on the counter
Cons
- A bit on the pricey side
Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender
Highlighted Features
- 12 blending functions
- Uniform blending
- Removable blades
- Dishwasher-friendly parts
Working with the Hamilton Beach Elite shows that a powerful blender with multiple functions doesn’t need to break the bank. This 700-Watt blender can crush the ice with ease, and at the same time, it’s designed to handle food substances without aggression.
The blade movement is set to pull down the mixed ingredients, so the blending is fast, thorough, and even. There are also four different levels of blending to suit every usage. As you prepare your cake mix these two features would come in handy.
The no-mess spout at the top of the lid is another thoughtful feature. It would be great while dividing the cake mix into the muffin tin slots. And just as nice while pouring smoothies into individual glasses.
Cleaning this blender is a breeze. The blades come off with no trouble at all, and the rest of the parts can just be popped in the dishwasher. And voila! It’s ready for your next culinary creation.
Pros
- Capable of crushing ice
- Even mixing for a smooth textured cake
- Various power settings
- Easy to operate and maintain
- Budget-friendly price
- 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- Not designed for working on nuts and seeds
- It’s a bit loud
How to Choose the Right Blender for Baking Cakes
There’s a wide variety of blenders with all sorts of shapes, sizes, and features. Thus, the best way to select the right one is to narrow down your choices and specify your exact needs. You can use the following points as a checklist of what matters most.
Reservoir Size
Cake batter is much larger in volume than dips and sauces. That’s why the reservoir size is an important factor. Some blenders look big, but the usable volume inside their pitchers is only half of that. Always buy a blender with a container that exceeds your expected needs.
If you’ll buy an immersion blender, then that point wouldn’t make any difference. You’d be working within any bowl from your kitchen.
Motor Power
Cake mixing needs two speed settings: a fast one for whipping up the eggs and wet ingredients, then a slower one for blending in the dry ingredients. However, the power of the blender needs to be high enough to counter the resistance of the thickening dough.
Around 500 Watts for immersion blenders and 1000 Watts for counter blenders should be sufficient. The higher powers are quite welcome, of course.
Adjustable Speed
A blender with adjustable speed settings is the only type that you can use for mixing cake batter. Otherwise, it could be too harsh on the ingredients, or too weak to handle the second stage where the flour is added.
Some blenders come with cutting edge tech, and they provide touch panels and LCDs as controls. While others are faithful to the knobs and bulky push buttons. Either style would be great as long as it comes with variable speed settings.
Pulse and turbo buttons might come in handy in specific dessert preparing situations. For example to fine tune the consistency of the batter, or when you’re mixing in a number of ingredients.
Immersion blenders often come with two speed settings only, and that’s fine, as long as they have the right power rating.
Accessory Set
This is more important with immersion blenders than with counter blenders. Many hand-held blenders were designed with the intent of mixing cakes and preparing other desserts. So they often come with extra whisks or special mixing heads.
FAQs
Q1: What happens if you overmix a cake?
We try to avoid over mixing cake batter for three main reasons:
- Excessive mixing of the cake batter often leads to the overdevelopment of gluten. And what that does to the cake is make it rubbery and chewy. This is the opposite of the smooth silky texture that cakes should have.
- Letting in too much air inside the dough could make it crumbly and fragile. As you try to cut it, you’d find the slices falling apart.
- Overmixing could also pack up the batter, which makes the cake ‘fall off’ halfway through baking, and as it comes out, it wouldn’t taste or feel like cake at all.
So when should you stop mixing the cake? And at which point would it be over-mixing? It’s actually hard to tell when you’ve gone too far with mixing the batter. A good rule of thumb then is stop mixing once all the ingredients are blended in.
In addition, some blenders would overmix a batter by the sheer strength and speed of the blades. That’s why it’s essential to pick the right kind of blender that wouldn’t overmix your cake ingredients.
Q2: Can I use a blender instead of a beater?
That’s generally possible, if you can adjust the speed and power of the blender. It’s even easier when you’re using an immersion type blender with a whisk accessory. This setup mimics that of the beater to the nines.
Some bakers vary the cake making procedure a little to make the best of the blender options, and avoid any issues that might arise while mixing the wet or dry ingredients.
Q3: Can I use a blender to mix butter and sugar for cake?
Any blender would be suitable for that part of cake making. Mixing the wet ingredients can be done by hands with a spatula, using a mixer, a food processor, or it can be achieved by using a regular blender.
This is not the case with some other desserts though where the butter needs to stay cold. Cookies are a good example for that. The blades of the blender often produce some heat which would melt the butter. This is not an issue with cake batter, so blenders are good to go.
Q4: Can I use blender instead of mixer for icing?
This depends largely on the kind of icing you’re making. But assuming you’re going with a simple icing recipe, you can use a blender.
There’s a point that you should consider here, which is the amount of icing you want to make. Usually we prepare small amounts, so a handheld blender or a mini chopper would be more convenient. The large pitchers of counter blenders might be a bit too much.
Using a blender with the basic types of icing would actually be quite beneficial, as it would make its texture smoother and more ‘velvety’.
A blender would also minimize the unmixed tiny bits that often come out with mixers. The more diligent and even mixing of the blender is brilliant when it comes to making well mixed condiments or sauces. Icing is quite similar to this category.
Q5: What can I use if I don’t have an electric mixer?
A few decades ago, most cooking and baking was done without appliances. So there are certainly many ways to make cakes without an electric mixer. Having said that, I should also add that manual mixing requires some basic skills. They’re more like little tricks that would make the cake batter develop evenly and with the right texture.
Here are some good options:
- Mixing the batter with a s poon or spatula
- whipping the wet ingredients with a whisk, then the dry ingredients with a spoon
- Using a counter blender with adjustable settings
- Using an immersion blender with the right accessories
In Conclusion
Baking is a labor we do with love, for the sole purpose of making the people we care about happy. And we’d naturally want to make sure that all our efforts pay off with delicious fluffy cakes.
One way is to use the right devices. Cake batter needs to be airy, smooth, and to have a specific consistency. A blender with adjustable settings and uniform mixing should be a good baking assistant. And if you choose the right type, it would be as good as a professional food processor.
The Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender easily tops the list with its perfect combination of brilliant features. It’s fully adjustable, with both programmed and manual settings. It’s easy to operate and clean, and it’s a highly durable blender.
The Vitamix might be a bit pricey, so if you’d like a similarly efficient blender at a lower price, you can check out the Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender. It has 12 different functions, it’s versatile and user-friendly.
Counter blenders are great, but if you’d like a more compact and economical alternative, handheld blenders are wonderful devices. The Elechomes Hand Immersion Blender is far more than an immersion blender. It’s easily a mini-food processor that’s perfect for cake mixes.