I also struggled with baking when I first came here but have found that when you start searching around when you're out and about, you pretty much find everything you need.

I've purchased 3 measuring cup sets that list measurements in ml and cups.

I've found vanilla sugar - with real vanilla, not the yellow sugar from Migros - that works just as good. If you want to make your own vanilla extract (and it's better than any of the bottled junk you get in the US or Canada), scrape the seeds from 8 vanilla pods and put into a 200 ml bottle, chop up the remaining beans and add to bottle, cover with a decent quality vodka and let it sit in a dark cupboard for a month. The longer it sits the better it is.

Baking soda and baking powder can be found at any Migros/Coop - look for backpulver and sodium bicarbonate.

My issue with chocolate chip cookies is finding proper chocolate chips, I have yet to find them in a store so I order them from American Market when needed....or have family bring some along with they visit.

For brown sugar, you can use 3/4 c. sugar + 1/4 molasses, it's not exactly the same but it's pretty good. In Canada I never cooked with fine grain sugar, the sugar I use here works just fine.