Some people fall into the “I cook but don’t bake” camp, and others “bake but don’t cook.” OK, and then there are those who do neither. Wherever you stand, we can all agree that cakes, brownies, cookies and everything in between are damn delicious and we want more of them. So whether you’re at home in the kitchen or never stepped foot in one, if you have a sweet tooth, the holidays are a wonderful time to empower the bakers in your life with some food editor–approved gifts for bakers. Ready, set, bake! (Then cool…then serve us some!)
19 Gifts for Bakers That Even Mary Berry Would Approve Of
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1. Kitchenaid Artisan Series 5-quart Tilt-head Stand Mixer
OK, when chief baking officer at the beloved Magnolia Bakery Bobbie Lloyd says that the KitchenAid is the number one must-have for any wedding registry, we happily heed her advice. And while your loved one may not be getting married, he will definitely say “I do” to this baker’s staple. It has 10 optimized speeds for thoroughly kneading, mixing and whipping ingredients with ease. You can even use the power hub to transform the stand mixer into a culinary center with various attachments, like food grinders and pasta makers. Talk about a versatile gift!
2. Martha Stewart Collection “la Dolce Vita” Rolling Pin
For the baker who’s all about the minutiae—from glimmering ganache to perfectly even layers—a chic rolling pin (instead of basic wood) is glamour in the details. The luxurious stoneware surface on this one makes it perfect for rolling all kinds of dough: pie crusts, cookie dough—you name it.
6. Michael Aram Mistletoe Pie Dish
You made a pie with cinnamon-roll crust, gosh darn it! Doesn’t your hard work deserve to be served up in a gorgeous plate? The natural brass handles and green onyx stones are proof that it's the most intricate pie dish out there.
10. Wilton Ultimate Cake Decorating Tools Set
Behold the ultimate cake decorating tool set and organizer for the most creative of bakers. With four drawers and two compartments, baking projects will run like a well-oiled machine. (Control freaks, rejoice!) There's not a single decorating tool you can't find in this massive 263-piece set. Not only does it include buttercream and icing accessories like piping tips and pastry bags, but it’s also equipped with fancy fondant tools—from modeling tools to shaping foam.
13. Nielsen-massey Pure Vanilla Extract
According to PureWow food editor Katherine Gillen, good vanilla is a must-have for any self-respecting baker. Her specific recommendation? This one. The company uses a cold extraction process that gently draws out and preserves the vanilla beans' flavor compounds. You can't beat that.
14. Usa Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan
PureWow's very own Grace Kim (and resident baking junkie) highly recommends this strong, sturdy baking sheet which is made of commercial grade and heavy gauge aluminized steel. Turns out, the material makes all the difference.
"These are great help with releasing with the ridges and also don't warp from heat and cooling like the cheap ones do. You know if you have a bad baking sheet when you hear it kind of pop in the oven. It does that when the metal is cheap and not thick enough to handle the temperature changes," she says.
15. Solula Professional 18/8 Stainless Steel Medium Cookie Scoop
Not only will this handy tool make your cookies round, equally sized and evenly baked—but it will also save you a ton of time. Best part? The dough won't stick to the spoon which will keep your hands so much cleaner. It's also dishwasher safe—every messy baker's dream!
19. Zassenhaus 60-minute Magnetic Steel "retro" Kitchen Timer
Sure, your iPhone can serve as a timer. But you're always just one swipe away from accidentally stopping the clock. Plus, those oven alarms can be pretty hard to hear if you venture far from the kitchen. That's why we love this retro-inspired, magnetic timer that sticks to the fridge.