--- title: "Stand mixer: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "A stand mixer is a countertop machine with a bowl and attachments for creaming, whipping and kneading dough hands-free. Here is how to use each attachment." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/stand-mixer" --- # Stand mixer A stand mixer is a countertop machine with a bowl and attachments for creaming, whipping and kneading dough hands-free. Here is how to use each attachment. Also called Kitchen mixer, Stand-mixer. A stand mixer is a heavy electric mixer on a base, with a bowl that locks in place and attachments that turn in it. It mixes, whips and kneads while your hands are free, and it handles stiff doughs and long whipping times better than a hand mixer. Most come with three attachments: a flat beater, a wire whisk and a dough hook. ## How to use it 1. Lock the bowl in place and fit the attachment while the mixer is off. 2. Start on the lowest speed every time you add dry ingredients. Flour and sugar fly out at high speed. 3. Raise the speed once the ingredients are combined. 4. Stop now and then and scrape down the bowl and the beater with a spatula. Attachments: * **Flat beater (paddle).** For cake batters, cookie dough, mashed potatoes and to [cream](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/cream) butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, usually 3 to 5 minutes on medium. * **Whisk.** To [whip](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/whip) cream and egg whites. Egg whites reach [stiff peaks](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/stiff-peaks) in a few minutes on medium-high. * **Dough hook.** To [knead](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/knead) bread dough on low to medium-low, usually 5 to 10 minutes, until it passes the [windowpane test](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/windowpane-test). ## Substitutes A hand mixer works for batters, cream and egg whites, though it takes longer and needs your hands. Bread dough can be kneaded by hand on the counter. A [food processor](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/food-processor) mixes some doughs very quickly. ## Common mistakes * Running the dough hook on high with a stiff dough. It strains the motor. Most makers advise low speed for kneading. Check your manual. * Overmixing cake batter after the flour goes in. It builds gluten and makes the cake tough. Mix until just combined. * Using a whisk on heavy batter or cookie dough. The wires bend. * Making very small batches. One egg white or a little cream barely reaches the whisk. Use a hand whisk or a hand mixer. * Leaving it to whip cream unattended. It turns to butter in seconds. * Putting the beater in the dishwasher when the label says not to. Some coated or aluminum beaters darken. ## In recipes "Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle" tells you which attachment to use. "Beat on medium-high" refers to the speed dial. Speeds differ between models, so watch the texture the recipe describes. ## Recipes made with it 65 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lemon-Poppyseed-Cupcakes-22.jpg)Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakeswww.skinnytaste.com · 50 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/lemon-poppy-seed-cupcakes/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/Banana-Nut-Bread-6.jpg)Banana Nut Bread Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 70 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/makeover-banana-nut-bread-3-pts/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2015/01/Focaccia.jpg)Focacciawww.onceuponachef.com · 40 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/rosemary-focaccia.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2022/08/banana-pudding-1.jpg)Banana Puddingwww.onceuponachef.com](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/banana-pudding.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2026/04/Banana-Cream-Pie-1.jpg)Banana Cream Piewww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/banana-cream-pie.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2026/03/hot-cross-buns-4.jpg)Hot Cross Bunswww.onceuponachef.com · 55 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/hot-cross-buns.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2026/03/Hummingbird-Cake-9.jpg)Hummingbird Cakewww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/hummingbird-cake.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2018/04/Lemon-Meringue-Pie-1.jpg)Easy Lemon Meringue Piewww.onceuponachef.com · 45 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/easy-lemon-meringue-pie.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2011/04/French-Apple-Cake-scaled.jpg)French Apple Cakewww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/french-apple-cake.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2026/02/rye-bread.jpg)Rye Breadwww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/rye-bread.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2022/10/macarons.jpg)French Macaronswww.onceuponachef.com · 60 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/macarons.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2015/03/Flourless-Chocolate-Cake-with-Meringue-scaled.jpg)Flourless Chocolate Cake with Meringuewww.onceuponachef.com · 75 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/flourless-chocolate-cake-meringue-topping.html) ## Related terms * [CreamCreaming is beating butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. It traps air that helps cakes and cookies rise. Here is how long it takes.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/cream) * [WhipTo whip is to beat cream or egg whites fast to fill them with air until they thicken and hold peaks. Here is how to get there without overwhipping.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/whip) * [KneadTo knead is to push, fold and turn dough until it is smooth and stretchy. It builds gluten so bread rises well. Here is how long it takes and how to tell.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/knead) * [Stiff peaksStiff peaks are when whipped egg whites or cream stand straight up off the whisk without bending. Here is how to reach the stage without overwhipping.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/stiff-peaks) * [Windowpane testThe windowpane test checks if bread dough is kneaded enough. Stretch a small piece thin. If light shows through without a tear, the gluten is ready.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/windowpane-test) * [Food processorA food processor is an electric machine with a spinning blade and discs that chops, purees, slices and mixes dough in seconds. Here is how to use one well.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/food-processor) [More in equipment](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/equipment)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)