MADI KOETTING/TASTE OF HOME
Practical gifts for bakers are always welcome, and keeping baked goods fresh is the most important aspect of baking—especially if you don’t plan on eating everything in one day. Enter: the cookie saver, which keeps baked goods fresh for days longer than traditional storage bags.
“It’s basically a brown sugar bear—but for baked goodies,” says former Editor Madi Koetting in her cookie saver review. “All you have to do is wet the terracotta stone, lock it in place and cookies stay as chewy and moist as the day they were baked.”
Madi Koetting/Taste of Home
Give the gift of organization. This all-in-one measuring cup eliminates the fleet of clunky cups, instead replacing it with a one-stop measuring solution. It’s one of the best gifts for bakers who hate excess tools cluttering up their kitchen.
“The star of this baking tool is hands down the adjustable outer sleeve,” says Madi in her review of the cup. “Measuring up to two cups at a time, this tool easily twists side-to-side and up and down to find your exact measurement. The measurements are so exact; I hardly have to level dry ingredients either.”
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Sure, you can settle for a boring sheet pan. But why do that, when the Holy Sheet pan is beautiful and functional? Home cooks may not splurge on one themselves, but I guarantee they secretly pine after one of these luxe kitchen companions, making them one of the best gifts for bakers.
“At first glance, the Great Jones baking sheet made a lasting impression on me,” says the Test Kitchen’s Executive Culinary Director Sarah Farmer in our review of the sheet pan. “It’s bold and beautiful—I hadn’t seen this in a baking sheet before. And then I held it in my hands and that sealed the deal.”
Nothing beats a comforting box of tender, buttery cookies—especially when your giftee won’t have to fire up the oven! Cheryl’s Cookies make a thoughtful gift for almost anyone, but these fun flavored buttercream desserts also offer inspiration for bakers thanks to their assortment of true-to-life flavors like key lime and peanut butter buckeye. Curious about the different flavors available? Read our review of Cheryl’s Cookies for the full scoop.
ALLISON ROBICELLI FOR TASTE OF HOME
Caraway bakeware is a baker’s dream come true. Not only is it gorgeous and easy to clean (hello, nonstick ceramic coating!) but it’s also super easy to store. The complete set—that’s 11 pieces, including a muffin tin, loaf pan and cake pans—fits in two small caddies. Our full test and review left us in awe of the stunning pans that are a cinch to clean. Treat your favorite baker to the whole set or an individual piece. Caraway keeps the baked goods coming for a lifetime.
Who doesn’t love a good Bundt cake? They’re easy to whip up and look elegant, even with the simplest of decorations. Bakers will appreciate the beauty and utility of a new one. Editor Emily Way loves this Nordic Ware Bundt pan. As one of the best gifts for bakers, it stands up to years of use. Plus, it comes with a handy cake keeper for taking the cake to parties and keeping it from going stale. Win!
Gift them a new sweet treat to try with the help of this doughnut pan. They’ll receive two steel doughnut molds for whipping up a dozen of their favorite variety. Bonus: They double as baking pans for bagels.
Every month, with a Bake Eat Love subscription, they’ll be treated to pre-measured ingredients for a new recipe, such as tiramisu cupcakes or chocolate peppermint whoopie pies (um, yum!). Of all the clubs we tested, this was our favorite baking box.
Inspire the rest of their kitchen adventures with food of the month clubs. Or, if you’re buying for a youngin’, try one of these kid-friendly gifts for bakers.
Avid bakers (and our Test Kitchen) know that a KitchenAid stand mixer is a must—especially if it’s in a gorgeous color. Make it one of the best gifts for bakers by choosing a beautiful hue, like matte-dried rose, aqua sky or pistachio. Any way you stir it, this is one gadget bakers will always be happy to have. Read our full KitchenAid Artisan review for more information.
ANNAMARIE HIGLEY/TASTE OF HOME
The KitchenAid cordless hand mixer can easily whip up cookies, cake batters or creams in minutes—without an outlet! It’s small enough to store in a kitchen cabinet, and because it’s cordless, it’s less clunky to operate. We love this option for a kitchen that’s tight on breathing room.
EMILY WAY FOR TASTE OF HOME (2)
If their baking inspiration is a little stale, brighten things up with this bakery assortment from Harry & David. Each collection comes with a bevy of beautiful desserts, including baklava, lemon poppyseed coffee cake, pineapple macadamia nut cake and a whole host of yummy cookies. No need to fire up the oven for these freshly baked treats, either!
The Dutchess is a Dutch oven by Great Jones that moves gracefully from stove to oven to table centerpiece. We tried it for baking bread in our review of the Dutchess and found it to be roomy enough for almost any specialty loaf. Plus, it’s absolutely stunning to boot!
If they’re always looking for storage solutions that still look lovely, gift them this set of meal prep containers from Caraway. These ceramic meal prep containers aren’t just for packing lunch, though. They’re also oven-safe, which makes them perfect for small portions of brownies and other baked goods!
A well-stocked kitchen is built over time as kitchen basics gradually get upgraded to the best of the best. This wooden spoon, made of 100% beechwood, is the last one they’ll ever need. Its sturdy handle and perfectly curved shape make it easy to mix up one-bowl recipes without overworking the batter.
Smooth edges help it easily glide around the inside of a bowl or pan without scratching. If you’re feeling extra generous, tuck it into a baking-themed gift box.
Everyone knows that bagels taste best when fresh, and there’s nothing fresher than a dozen baked at home. An awesome gift for bread bakers, this baking kit provides almost everything they need to make their own everything bagels and cream cheese. They’ll savor the opportunity to explore cheesemaking as they whip up a batch of the doughy, deliciously seasoned rounds.
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
Levain Bakery is a New York staple. Whether your giftee has tried these luxe cookies or is new to their behemoth size, they’ll love digging their teeth into these decadent, oversized sweets. In our review of the cookies, we tried a few different flavors, and each impressed us equally. Spoiler: Don’t read our review if you’re hungry!
It’s often said that cooking is an art, but baking is a science. Baking requires precise measurements, unlike cooking, which allows for more flexibility. That’s why a baking scale is essential in any baker’s kitchen, and this one from OXO is a top choice. It features a large digital display that can pull out, making it easy to see even when weighing large bowls of ingredients.
MOLLY ALLEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Baking isn’t always sweet! For the pizza lover, look no further than the Koda 16 outdoor pizza oven. This gas-powered outdoor pizza oven reaches up to 950 degrees and is designed for large pizzas, meats, fish and vegetables. Want to learn more about these fun appliances? Read our review of the pizza oven.
Madi Koetting/Taste of Home
If you’re craving a drizzle of honey, this gorgeous glass container will keep any mess to a minimum. In our review of the dispenser, Madi notes that “out of all the cool Amazon gadgets I’ve tested, there are few products that bring me as much joy and satisfaction as this glass honey dispenser.”
Every baker has to start somewhere, and this set of baking essentials from Drew Barrymore will get them up and running in the most gorgeous of ways! The centerpiece is a versatile (and dishwasher-safe!) mixing bowl with a pour spout and non-slip base. It’s available in a cool light blue shade or a vibrant deep blue one. It also includes four measuring cups for dry ingredients and a whisk for mixing up their next masterpiece.
This ceramic pie plate captures a treasured recipe on a gorgeous ceramic surface. Pro tip: Ask for the original recipe card ahead of time to capture their loved one’s handwriting on the plate. Sentimental gifts for bakers are in!
KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME
Coffee gifts and baking gifts go together like bread and butter—it’s hard to enjoy one without the other! This Driftaway coffee and chocolate pairing is super easy to gift. Each box arrives with a a tasting form, a bag with a sample grind size and a pamphlet with instructions and QR codes so they can join a virtual tasting.
Maybe you know someone who loves baking bread but whose small kitchen makes it difficult to churn out the loaves they love. This innovative bread maker will change their lives. They can measure, mix, knead, rise and bake in this flexible bowl, which converts into a steam-sealing cloche when it’s time to slide their bread into the oven. And because it’s made from silicone, it’s dishwasher-safe and easy to store!
If they’re spending a lot of time in the kitchen working with flour, melted chocolate and batter, they need an apron to stay clean—but not just any apron. Serious bakers should own an apron that covers them up, fits them well and has plenty of pockets. Enter Hedley & Bennet aprons that are designed by chefs, for chefs. As one of the best gifts for bakers, this apron is fully adjustable at the waist and neck and even features a chest pocket for phones.
Bottoms up! Santa’s never had milk and cookies like this before—and neither has your favorite baker. Gifts for bakers like these flexible silicone molds let loved ones re-create Chef Dominique Ansel’s famous icing-lined chocolate chip cookie shots. Add a splash of 2% and the memories practically make themselves.
For the baker who’s always crafting new recipes, you can’t go wrong with a recipe journal. This beautiful book has tons of customization options. Choose from four different cover designs and additions for a truly unique gift. Consider these other pretty recipe books too.
Cozy winter nights inside call for one of their sweets alongside a scoop or two. Choose three, six or 12-month memberships with four pints per month of four different flavors that will complement their baked creations. The pie-inspired Pumpkin Caramel and Candied Pecans is dangerously easy to eat, and the Eggnog and Snickerdoodle Swirl brings new life to holiday favorites.
P.S. For something a little extra, you could also pair this with a cookie of the month club!
It doesn’t matter if they have a shoebox apartment kitchen or a huge open-concept one—everyone can always use more counter space. We loved this stove cover cutting board (read our full write-up) and guarantee they’ll love it, too, for all their chopping, rolling and kneading needs. Made of high-quality bamboo, this cutting board is as durable as it is convenient. This would also make an ideal gift for grillers and barbecuers who need to carve meat.
Bakers will never have to guess whose pan is whose again at baking swaps and covered-dish dinners. This customized 13-by-9-inch pan makes it easy to bring bars or brownies to a party. It’s pretty, practical and something your loved one will treasure.
Help them show off their love of baking with a super-soft T-shirt. It’s 100% cotton, so it’s breathable in a hot kitchen. But it’s cute enough to wear out and about (when they’re stocking up on butter and chocolate chips).
When it comes to baking dozens of Christmas cookies, we have a need for speed—and rightfully so. Thankfully, today’s cookie presses work so much more easily than those of yore. Upgrade your favorite baker’s gear with this OXO cookie press. It’s just the tool they need for making delicious spritz recipes.
All pies are beautiful in their own special way, no matter if the baker is a master of lattice or just in it for the juicy filling. This ceramic pie pan makes pies of all types look like they belong on the cover of a food magazine. It’s sure to get them excited to show off their next creation on Instagram. Choose from three colors to best suit their vibe: Earl Grey, Chai and Vanilla White.
With more than 400 recipes, tips and secrets for baking, the Taste of Home Ultimate Baking Cookbook is a baker’s bible. Bonus: They’ll think of you every time they whip up delicious goodies from this cookbook. From our editors to your loved ones!
Baking bread is all about patience with the proofing. Sometimes getting the right lift is hard to do, especially when it’s cold outside. Bakers can shorten proofing times and get ideal rises on bread during the colder months with this proofing plate. Avid bread bakers will appreciate this treat that they may not have considered for themselves.
Timeless and oh-so-pretty, a Le Creuset bread oven is worthy of any bread baker’s kitchen. The cast-iron construction offers superior heat distribution while the domed lid provides just the right environment to crisp bread without overcooking it. The hardest part is choosing the color they’ll like best!
Yes, experienced bakers might know their timetables backward and forward when it comes to cutting down recipes, but it’s easy to get bungled up. When in doubt, help them out with a cute conversion chart. It hangs pretty in the kitchen next to their vintage-style bakeware.
Keep their baked goods fresh while letting them show off their talents with a beautiful cake dome. Sure, this case is perfect for displaying their latest layer cake, but it’s also a nice way to display a mountain of cookies, muffins or other sweets. Psst! Fill it with your homemade masterpiece, then give it as a host gift.
We asked our Bakeable group members what their favorite unexpected baking tools were, and the Danish dough whisk topped their list. This dough whisk is ideal for stirring together quick breads and pancake batters, but it’s especially handy when incorporating a large mass of flour into bread doughs.
When it comes to pretty Le Creuset items, this cocotte with a flower lid is the creme de la creme. Available in several bold and subtle colors, these beautiful gifts for bakers are ideal for the baker who’s obsessed with miniature masterpieces, such as mug cakes and individual cinnamon rolls.
Designed specifically for sourdough by the experts at Challenger Breadware, these starter jar gifts for bakers make it easy to track the growth of culture. Plus, the clear glass lets them see exactly what’s going on. Attach a copy of our sourdough starter recipe for a ready-to-use gift.
KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME
Looking to level up your favorite cocktail or dessert? Luxardo cherries offer a gourmet upgrade to bright red maraschinos. They’re perfect for cocktails, sure, but according to Senior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski in her review of the cherries, they’re also an amazing finishing touch on baked goods.
They may not splurge on this Fulton standing mat themselves, but that’s what gifting is for! Each mat comes with a generous layer of cork that keeps feet and knees from fatiguing during long stints in the kitchen. Give the gift of a pain-free baking session—it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Plus, the Fulton was named our most supportive kitchen mat.
MOLLY ALLEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
If they’re a politics nerd and a baker, finding the right gift may feel impossible. Surprise them with a reproduction of JFK’s decadent wedding cake. Boasting ample layers of white cake, raspberry preserves, raspberry frosting and vanilla buttercream, this luxury dessert is sure to leave an impression. Read our full review for a breakdown of the world-famous bakery it hails from!
FAQ
What does a baker always need?
While essential tools like a scale, spatula, baking sheets and oven mitts are key, many of these items are long-lasting. An often-overlooked category bakers always need is ingredients. Consider gifting specialty flour, gourmet extracts, European-style butter and other updated staples.
What do you get someone who bakes cakes?
Specialized tools like cake decorating kits (including piping bags and tips), a turntable or an airbrush are great options for cake makers. Like other bakers, they also need a steady supply of flour, granulated sugar, powdered sugar and butter.
What do you get a girl who likes to bake?
The best gifts depend on the type of baking she enjoys. For example, baking sourdough bread is different from making delicate pastries. Tailor your gift to her baking style, or simply ask her what tools or ingredients she needs. There’s no harm in finding out directly.