Useful gifts to help them tackle their next baking project.
Molly Allen is a previous bakery owner and freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience focused on food and beverage, lifestyle, travel and parties. Her work has been published in Taste of Home, HuffPost, and Brides, among others. When she’s not writing or baking, she can be found hiking or paddleboarding near Hood River, Oregon, where she calls home. Screening Machine
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While many say that baking is a science, it’s also a creative outlet, an art, and most definitely a hobby that produces delicious results. Bakers love to spend time in the kitchen creating not only tasty but beautiful, eye-catching treats. And as their friend or family member, you often get to reap the benefits. A thoughtful gift is the ideal way to give back. But what should be on your shopping list?
Many bakers are already set up with the basics, so it’s important to keep that in mind. However, others may be thrilled to receive a tool or ingredient they hadn’t learned about yet. Whether you’re shopping for someone just getting started with baking or a seasoned pro, we’ve rounded up the best gifts for bakers from clever gadgets to delicious specialty ingredients.
Baking cookies requires a nonstick surface to avoid any disasters. Of course, greasing or buttering a cookie sheet is helpful, as is lining it with parchment paper, but this baking mat is a great reusable option. Made from silicone, it’s easy to roll up and store and can be pulled out quickly to turn a baking sheet into a nonstick surface in no time. It’s oven safe, along with being safe for use in the microwave or freezer. Any baker will love being able to put this baking mat to work for a variety of uses.
Many baking recipes call for vanilla extract on the ingredient list. And for cakes, cookies, and brownies, the quality of vanilla extract used can make a big difference. Gift them a top-notch bottle of pure vanilla extract. Bourbon vanilla beans from Madagascar provide concentrated flavor, bringing a richness to any recipe. Even just one teaspoon can truly enhance the flavor of any recipe. Wrap this little bottle up in a pretty gift bag on its own, or consider including a bottle of peppermint extract.
The ultimate gift for the cookie lover in your life? A cookie dough scoop. This simple tool helps bakers easily scoop cookie dough from the bowl, giving them even portions every time. It has a soft, easy-to-grip handle and an interior steel wiper which make it much simpler to go from bowl to baking sheet. Give it on its own as a stocking stuffer or pair it with a new set of baking sheets.
If you’re looking for the ideal hand mixer to gift a baker, this is a top pick. Most hand mixers come with a cord to plug into the wall, but not this cordless option from KitchenAid. The mixer has seven speeds to mix everything from homemade whipped cream to tough cookie dough with plenty of mix-ins. With no cord, it’s that much easier to control the mixing process in the bowl. It comes with a charging cord to plug it in when not in use, and it holds its charge to power through mixtures for days before needing to be recharged.
Top-notch bakeware is the key to producing a dozen of their favorite muffins or a delicious loaf of hummingbird bread. This bakeware set includes a loaf pan, muffin pan, two cake pans, and two baking sheets for a wide range of uses. It has everything a baker will need to get started baking or provides the ideal set for someone who needs to refresh their current bakeware. Made from heavy-duty stainless steel, each piece of bakeware is durable and has a nonstick surface, along with a unique design to promote even airflow while baking.
Not all baking measurements come in cups. Most extracts and leavening agents such as baking powder, baking soda, or salt need to be measured with a teaspoon or tablespoon. Eliminate the need to fumble with a set of tiny spoons with this gift. This handy tool has one tablespoon on one end and one teaspoon on the other end. It’s made from birch wood with beautiful coloring, making it eye-catching and easy to grab from any drawer.
A stand mixer is the crown jewel of appliances in many home kitchens, and KitchenAid has held its reputation for quality for over 100 years. However, many bakers may not have the space for a full-sized stand mixer to sit on their countertop. The mini stand mixer—our favorite compact mixer out of all 22 models we tested—delivers equal power and performance with a smaller footprint. It has a classic tilt-head design, 10 speeds, and enough power and bowl space for making a full batch of pizza dough or cookie dough. Plus, it can still be used with any of KitchenAid’s other attachments including the pasta roller or ice cream maker.
Many baking recipes call for whisking together ingredients. The problem? Some balloon whisks are shaped so that ingredients easily get stuck while mixing. A Danish dough whisk has a different shape, with thick wires and a uniquely shaped design to cut through mixtures. It can be used for whipping up batters or even for incorporating flour to make bread dough, without ever needing to bust out the stand mixer. Plus, it has an easy to hold handle and is made from stainless steel so it can easily be put in the dishwasher after use.
After tackling the project of baking and assembling a lovely layer cake, they’ll need something just as beautiful to display it on. This timeless white cake stand is a lovely option. Crafted from stoneware, glazed for a glossy finish, and dressed up with a ribbed trim design, any baker will be proud to showcase their work on the pretty stand, whether they’re using it for a cake or creating a stack of brownies or bars.
Are you shopping for a baker who loves to gift freshly baked sweet treats to neighbors and friends? Make it that much more special with a kitchen notepad. This darling notepad comes in three different colors with beautiful illustrations of baking supplies at the top. Personalize it with their name so they can add a heartfelt note with the goodies they’re sharing or write down a recipe straight from their kitchen.
Bread bakers will be thrilled to receive this helpful gift. While some loaves of bread can be baked without scoring, this quick process of cutting a slash or a slashed design into the top of the loaf will make it bake that much better. It helps gasses release in a designated location while the loaf expands in the oven. A bread lame has a very sharp blade allowing for precise cuts. Plus, the handle of this adorable lame is shaped just like a baguette.
Help them get started on learning how to decorate show-stopping cakes. This cake decorating supply set includes everything needed to dive in on the basics. Piping bags are included to hold frosting, along with 18 different piping tips for a variety of designs. The set also includes a small offset spatula for helping to create a smooth exterior on a cake, along with a carrying case to store it all in one place so it’s easily accessible for decorating the next cake masterpiece.
There’s nothing worse than baking a batch of brownies or multiple layers for a cake only to find lumps and bumps in the finished product. That can often be fixed by sifting dry ingredients such as all-purpose flour, cake flour, and cocoa powder ahead of time. This large sifter makes it simple. It holds three cups with measurements stamped on the side. The hand crank handle is easy to move, without the need to constantly grip or squeeze. Made from stainless steel, it’s lightweight but durable to last for years and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
For many bakers, they prefer to measure with a digital scale rather than a set of measuring cups and spoons. A kitchen scale can help to ensure precise accuracy for any recipe. This food scale comes in six different color options with a low profile design so it can be tucked away and stored in a drawer. It measures up to 11 pounds with a large digital readout and includes a detachable bowl to add ingredients into easily, making it especially helpful for measuring dry ingredients such as sugars and flours.
Need an heirloom-quality gift for a pie baker? Stoneware & Co. has been crafting pottery goods in Louisville, Kentucky, since 1815. Turn to the company’s 100+ years of experience when searching for a great pie plate. This pie plate is made from stoneware with a white glaze and a scalloped thumbprint design around the edges. It’s sure to be the perfect dish for the baker in your life to display their favorite baked pies with pride.
The flavor of gooey chocolate chip cookies or fudgy brownies topped with a touch of sea salt is unmatched. Just a sprinkle rounds out the sweetness in the most delicious way. Give them high-quality sea salt that’s hand-harvested off the Oregon coast as a unique food gift. Wrap it up on its own, or include this pretty package of salt in a gift basket with other ingredients. The delicate flakes of sea salt are sure to elevate their next batch of homemade goodies.
While cookie cutters will help a cookie baker make fun cut-out shapes, they may want to try their hand at a new decorating technique. Cookie stamps add a decorative design to the top of cookies before they’re baked, with no cutting required. This set comes with three different designs, each made from aluminum with a wooden handle to make them easier to hold. Cookies can be stamped, baked, and served immediately, or they can be further decorated with icing and sprinkles for a pop of color.
Do you know a baker who loves to whip up a batch of banana bread with overripe bananas sitting on the counter every week? Maybe a baker who always has a craving for pumpkin or zucchini bread? This is the perfect gift. This set of little floral loaf pans is so charming thanks to The Pioneer Woman’s eye for design. Made from ceramic, the loaf pans are oven and microwave safe, and they can be thrown in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
Retrieving a batch of freshly baked lemon bars or two beautifully baked cake layers from the oven is tricky without oven mitts. Gift them a new, stylish set. This duo comes with an oven mitt and a pot holder, each made from cotton and machine washable for when they get a bit too messy. The blue and white chinoiserie print with a gingham trim is absolutely darling, making for a pretty addition to any home kitchen.
Ensure there are no more overbaked or underbaked goodies with this helpful gift. It’s common for ovens not to be calibrated to the proper temperature, especially as they get older, but this little tool can make a world of difference. The stainless steel oven thermometer can either hang or sit inside the oven to easily read accurate temperatures to be sure they’re truly baking at 350°F. Plus, it’s versatile enough to be used inside a smoker, grill, or toaster oven.
For some bakers, pie baking knowledge has been passed down through generations. For others, it may be a bit intimidating. If they’re interested in diving into pie baking but aren’t certain where to start, Erin Jeanne McDowell’s The Book On Pie: Everything You Need to Know to Bake Perfect Pies is sure to be a big help. This handbook covers all the basics from making pie dough from scratch and how to store it for later use. It also includes plenty of recipes for fillings so they can tackle the most decadent chocolate cream pie or a classic apple pie.
One of the most important keys to baking is accurate measurements. It is a science, after all! A set of measuring cups will ensure the baker in your life is set up for success. This set of six measuring cups includes a variety of sizes, each constructed from stainless steel. This makes them dishwasher safe for easy cleanup, rust and corrosion proof, and incredibly durable for continued longtime use.
Scrolling Pinterest or Instagram for cake decorating ideas is sure to bring plenty of pictures of rainbow explosion cakes. Whether they’re new to baking cakes or simply looking for an exciting new project, this thoughtful gift will give them the tools and ingredients they need to make their own impressive sweet at home. Packaged in a paint can-shaped tin, the kit includes cake mix, gel food coloring, frosting, and two pouches of sprinkles—everything that’s required to bake and assemble the most colorful, eye-catching cake.
Make it easier for them to view their favorite recipes hands-free! This wooden stand can be easily set up on the kitchen countertop so it’s accessible for reading the next ingredient on the list. The holder is collapsible, making it possible to adjust to hold any cookbook or tablet, and it has an acrylic shield to cover the front of a book or device to ensure any messes in the kitchen don’t make it onto the recipe page.
Baking muffins or cupcakes calls for the correct pan. And while that pan can be greased with cooking spray to prevent the batter from sticking while baking, or a baker can line each well with paper baking cups, there is another solution. Silicone muffin pans make it possible to skip the greasing or liners, while still providing a nonstick surface. This set of muffin pans is festive with its vibrant sprinkle design (also available in red). Once cupcakes or muffins are baked, they can easily be popped out of the flexible well. The pans can also be used in the microwave and freezer for a number of other recipes such as egg bites or homemade peanut butter cups.
Whether it is used for cookie decorating, cake decorating, or coloring the batter for a red velvet cake, all food coloring is not created equal. Liquid food coloring has the potential to seize up when it’s introduced to other ingredients, but gel food coloring doesn’t have that problem. Give the color-loving decorator in your life a kit filled with quality food coloring. This little box includes 12 different colors, with everything from deep royal blue to bright fuchsia.
The basic tools all bakers need include measuring cups and spoons, spatulas, a whisk, mixing bowls, and oven mitts. Bakers also need a variety of baking pans including square and round cake pans, muffin or cupcake pans, and cookie sheets.
For established bakers with plenty of tools, ingredients make an excellent gift. Specialty ingredients for bakers can be pricey and receiving them as a gift would be a welcomed treat. Specialty ingredients such as extracts, sprinkles, and artisan salts all make for thoughtful gifts.
To put together a gift basket for a baker, start with a beautiful mixing bowl as the base. Include tools such as measuring cups or spoons, a whisk, spatula, pastry brush, cookie cutters, oven mitts, and kitchen towels. Add in specialty ingredients such as a bottle of vanilla extract or rainbow sprinkles. You can include a general array of tools, or consider theming the gift basket for cookies, cupcakes, or bread baking.
This article was written by Molly Allen, a food, lifestyle, and commerce writer. Molly is a former bakery owner turned professional baker and recipe developer. To find the best gift ideas for bakers, Molly used her own knowledge from years spent baking in commercial and home kitchens, along with researching clever gift ideas and including a number of products she has tested first-hand and continues to use on a regular basis.
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