Bakers mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, pastries, and other baked goods.

Some bakers work in kitchens in restaurants, grocery stores, and bakery shops. Other bakers work for companies that manufacture large quantities of baked goods. These packaged goods are sold through businesses such as grocery stores. Both types of bakers perform similar tasks but on a different scale. They may also develop new recipes of their own.

Bakers check their production schedule to determine the variety and quantity of goods to bake that day. They measure flour and other ingredients into various-sized containers, following recipes. They sometimes mix ingredients by hand, but usually use electric mixers or large mixing machines. Then they roll, shape, and cut the dough. Bakers use rolling pins to roll pie crust thin, and then cut it to fit pie pans. They use cookie cutters to cut cookies. They use their hands to mold and shape bread dough. When baking pies, bakers cut and peel fruit fillings. They mix or sometimes cook the fillings and pour them into pie shells.

Bakers select the appropriate pans for various baked goods. They place the dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake it in the oven. They set the controls and adjust the temperature. They may also observe products as they bake, checking color and adjusting controls. When groups of items are done, bakers mix icings and select toppings. Then they decorate cakes, pastries, or breads using spatulas or brushes. Sometimes they sprinkle sugar or seeded toppings on cookies or breads.