Baking, like gift-giving, is an easy way to tell someone how much you care about them without using words. But the person in your life who’s always testing out new recipes and getting creative in the kitchen (all while probably being swept up in a cloud of flour), can be hard to shop for, especially if they already have the latest and greatest baking tools on the market.
That’s why we turned to experts in the field — bakers themselves — to discover the baking tools and accessories that are the bread and butter in their kitchen. From the best whisks according to a pastry chef to the CEO of Magnolia Bakery’s “Bible for baking,” these gifts are sure to have the baker in your life whipping up something tasty.
To quickly jump to the category you’re looking for, click on the links below or scroll to see all of the gifts we’ve selected.
Baking supplies to gift | Best bakeware to gift | Best serveware to gift | Cookbooks to gift | Unique baking gifts | Best gift cards for bakers | Meet the experts
Baking supplies to gift
Taylor 2.5-Inch Oven Thermometer
In addition to recommending that every home baker use a scale to measure their ingredients, Magnolia Bakery CEO Bobbie Lloyd says that they should also use an oven thermometer. Bakers can stick this stainless steel thermometer in their oven to ensure its cooking at the correct temperature.
“I know from experience, especially being an apartment renter, that in New York City where a lot of people have gas ovens and old buildings, [ovens are] very uneven,” Lloyd says. “You go through all that work to make a recipe and then it burns on the bottom or burns on the top and that’s so disappointing. But if you have a thermometer, then you’re very clear.”
Williams Sonoma Mini Silicone Wood Spatulas
At Shop TODAY, we love recommending practical gifts that people will use all the time. These mini spatulas are an adorable stocking stuffer that are baker-approved.
“I love a stocking. I love lots of little gifts,” Meg Galus, the executive pastry chef at Chicago's Good Ambler, says. “So little spatulas, little mini offset bowl scrapers, all those little tools that come in super, super handy on a daily basis are always good to have multiples of.”
OXO Good Grips 2-Cup Squeeze & Pour Silicone Measuring Cup
A liquid measuring cup is a necessity for baking. This OXO option with a near-perfect average from over 13,000 verified Amazon shoppers is made from silicone so everything from honey to pancake batter will come out easily. It’s also flexible enough to pour by collapsing the sides and making the liquid stream more precise.
Pyrex Prepware Measuring Cup
When you’re baking with butter, Janie Deegan, the founder of Janie’s Life-Changing Baked Goods, recommends using heat-proof measuring cups to melt it. She loves Pyrex measuring cups because they are “heavy and solid.”
Gibot Butane Torch
Who doesn't love a crispy crème brûlée, roasted marshmallow or meringue? Give the baker in your life the gift of crisp with this butane torch that can reach up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Operation is simple: press the button to light the torch and watch the goodies turn golden brown.
Hotpop Reusable Silicone Macaron Baking Mats
Silicone mats are a great gift for those who like to make everything from French macarons to candy. This set of four mats — two half and two quarter sheets — has a template for piping out macaron batter so each cookie is the same size, though the mats can be used for baking almost anything on them and having an easy cleanup.
OXO Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop
Cookie scoops are always a good tool to have around. Not only are they great for dishing out cookies that are equal in size, but they make dishing batter into muffin tins and bundt pans easier, too!
Cook with Color Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoon Set
Measuring cups and spoons are essential baking tools. These copper-handled cups and spoons nest for easy storage. There are multiple color combinations to choose from including copper with black, mint or navy to match the rest of their bakeware.
Silpat Nonstick Silicone Microwave Mat
If the baker you’re shopping for lives sustainably, they likely want to cut down on their use of parchment paper and paper towels. With this nonstick silicone microwave mat, they will simply need to place their day-old treat on the mat, turn on the microwave and enjoy. The mat even conducts heat for optimal cooking, according to the brand.
King Arthur Baking Bench Knife
Silver Moon Bakery co-owner Judith Norrell uses bench knives to scrape off surfaces, cut dough and more. She recommends this bench knife from King Arthur Baking, which features a stainless steel blade and walnut handle.
Matfer Bourgeat Piano Whisk with Exoglass Handle
“The best tools for any sort of even semi-serious home baker to have are things that are sturdy and going to last instead of necessarily the showpiece models of everything,” Galus says.
She recommends buying baking tools from the brand Matfer because it’s a professional-grade brand that home bakers can score from major retailers such as Amazon and Target. Plus, she says, its tools “will last forever.”
Made In Rolling Pin
There’s nothing like a quality rolling pin. This French-style option has tapered ends so they can roll out everything from buttery pie dough to bread with ease, without the fear of eventual rusting from nails screws like American rolling pins have. Its 100% beechwood material is also effective when it comes to moisture absorption, according to the brand.
"Love the weight of the rolling pin," a reviewer said about how easy it is to maneuver. "[It's] solid, looks nice, and great to trade up from my previous “just rinse off a wine bottle” strategy."
Ateco 7-Piece Cannoli Set
Help your pastry fan perfect the crispy cannoli shell and experiment with filling flavors with this cannoli-making set. Complete with cannoli forms, a dough cutter, piping bags and more, the set will equip the baker in your life with everything they need to craft the best cannoli.
ThermoWorks DOT® Simple Alarm Thermometer
Digital thermometers are an easy way to tell if a baked good is actually done (and way more precise than inserting a toothpick into cakes and brownies). This easy-to-use probe option allows them to set a target temperature and the thermometer will beep when it hits its doneness. If they're a dedicated bread baker, several shoppers noted how it's helped elevate their carb game over time.
Glass Mixing Bowl 10-Piece Set
If you’re shopping for someone who loves to make chocolate, chocolatier Isabella Knack recommends using glass bowls. “I always recommend glass bowls because then you can put it in the microwave and the glass also adapts to the heat a little bit more,” she says. This set includes 10 bowls, so the baker in your life can use them for every step of the recipe.
OXO 11-lb. Food Scale with Pull-Out Display
Almost every professional we chatted with had one tip for home bakers: Always weigh your ingredients. Galus says every professional kitchen she has worked in has used this 11-pound kitchen scale that is “indestructible and lasts forever.”
KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
The first investment Deegan made when she started baking was in a KitchenAid hand mixer. With five speeds and a small size, the hand mixer is perfect for home bakers who are just learning their way around the kitchen.
Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia KitchenAid Artisan 10-Speed Stand Mixer
When Deegan received a stand mixer from a friend whose wife had passed from cancer, she says, “It was life-changing for me.” The stand mixer has 11 distinct speeds and is compatible with more than 10 attachments for various baking adventures.
“They’re just the best thing on the planet,” Lloyd says. “Because you can cook hands-free, you can mix hands-free, so that you’re also able to manage timing things and then get other ingredients moving.”
Best bakeware to gift
Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan
Bakeware is one of the most important parts of perfecting your favorite recipe. For baking cakes, Lloyd recommends Fat Daddio’s bakeware because “they’re heavy duty enough that they hold the temperature properly.”
Edge Lover's Brownie Pan
Anyone who has cut into a brownie knows that people have piece preferences — and strong ones. This brownie pan exists for those who love the edge pieces (and only the edge pieces). No one will need to worry about delicious treats sticking to the pan as the exterior features nonstick carbon steel.
12-Ounce Ramekin 6-Pack
Whether they fancy a chocolate or cheese soufflé, every baker needs a high-quality set of ramekins. With a 4.7-star average rating on Amazon, this set has earned praise for its durability, portion size and versatility.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers
Since bakers are always cooking those delicious goodies in batches, it’s important to have airtight food storage containers, so everyone can enjoy them for days (or until they’re all gone). Knack loves using airtight containers for her chocolates and says she places them in the fridge or freezer depending on how long she wants to store her confections. They're the perfect practical gift!
Sur La Table Madeleine Pan
Mastering the art of a buttery, spongey madeleine is a rite of passage for any home baker. However, using a quality madeleine pan is half the battle. With nonstick silicone coating, the pan will release pastries without a fuss, according to the brand.
Nordic Ware 75th Anniversary Braided Loaf Pan
Nordic Ware is known for its bundt pans and loaf pans that feature intricate designs. This loaf pan has a beautiful braided design that will definitely level up their next banana bread.
Lodge 5-Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
“Baking bread is honestly such a low equipment hobby,” bread expert Reva Castillenti says. “If you have someone who likes baking bread and they don’t have a Dutch oven yet, that’s an excellent gift.”
Her mom gave her a Lodge Dutch oven 20 years ago, and Castillenti still uses it today.
Emile Henry French Ceramic Potter Loaf Pan
Norrell recommends ceramic loaf pans for home bakers who love to make artisanal bread because it “holds in the moisture of the bread.”
This option is microwave-, oven-, broiler-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe, so your home baker can use it however they want to.
Le Creuset Bread Oven
Le Creuset is a leader in bakeware, and its bread oven is perfect for those who make their own loaves every week. The domed lid allows steam to be trapped for a maximum rise, while the base allows the bread to brown evenly without burning.
Best serveware to gift
Ten Thousand Villages Copper and Silver Pie Server
For the baker who can’t get enough pie or quiche, this server handcrafted in India is as beautiful as their own creations. The handle is made from hand-hammered copper, while the serving part is stainless steel.
3-Tiered Stand
Does the baker in your life also love to host? Luckily, this three-tiered stand is the perfect centerpiece for any dinner party, baby shower or girls' night in. The stand has undergone commercial testing for optimal quality.
Marble Round Cake Stand
Deegan collects cake stands and says, “Nothing elevates a plate of cookies or a beautiful cake more than like a beautiful cake stand.” This timeless option from Williams-Sonoma is handcrafted from solid white marble, making it an elegant centerpiece for any kitchen.
Cookbooks to gift
“Crazy for Cookies, Brownies, and Bars: Super-Fast, Made-from-Scratch Sweets, Treats, and Desserts" by Dorothy Kern
For a novice baker who wants to get better at making easy desserts, this cookbook by food blogger Dorothy Kern is ideal. It has over 85 “tested-to-perfection” recipes that are broken down into manageable steps that anyone can do, no matter their skill level.
"The Great British Baking Show: A Bake for All Seasons" by Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and the Bakers
If they can’t stop dreaming about getting a Paul Hollywood handshake, then they will appreciate this cookbook with recipes from the judges and bakers from "The Great British Baking Show." The recipes range for all seasons and use seasonal ingredients, so they will always have inspiration for their next showstopper.
“The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook: Recipes and Wisdom from an Obsessive Home Cook,” by Deb Perelman
Lloyd loves home cook Deb Perelman’s cookbooks because her recipes are “written so that you can follow them as a home cook.” She recommends her cookbooks for college students and new cooks and bakers who are looking to learn the basics. This cookbook includes a range of recipes, such as mushroom bourguignon and chocolate hazelnut crepe cake.
“All About Cookies: A Milk Bar Baking Book," by Christina Tosi
Christina Tosi, the mastermind behind Momofuku’s Milk Bar, has a slew of cookbooks, but this one's perfect for the cookie connoisseur in your life. It features recipes for innovative goodies such as marbled chocolate s’more cookies and blueberry-and-corn bars.
"Desserts Illustrated: The Ultimate Guide to All Things Sweet"
With over 500 recipes to choose from, this new release from Cook's Illustrated has something for every level of baker. One unique thing about this book is that it can teach them how to manipulate different ingredients in a recipe to have a completely different outcome for a recipe, like chewy versus crispy cookies.
"Savory Baking: Recipes for Breakfast, Dinner, and Everything in Between," by Erin Jeanne McDowell
Not all bakes have to cater to a sweet tooth. This published work from food stylist and recipe developer Erin Jeanne McDowell tackles the savory side of baking, tackling everything from pancakes with an Italian twist and jalapeño poppers wrapped in puff pastry to a touching tribute to America’s indigenous tribes in the form of frybread.
“Mother Grains: Recipes for the Grain Revolution,” by Roxana Jullapat
If you’re shopping for a home bread baker who wants to learn more about different types of grains, this book is for them. It’s about “heritage and ancient grains, and how to use them in your everyday kitchen,” Castillenti says. According to her, “The best way to improve the flavor of bread is to actually change the flour you’re putting in it.” (At the moment, she’s loving a wheat variety called Redeemer that’s grown in Pennsylvania.)
"Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes," by Jeffrey Hamelman
Castillenti also recommends this book for “anyone who wants to learn more about bread.” She equates the cookbook to a “technical manual,” which aligns with its contents — 130 step-by-step recipes to variations of bread.
“Maida Heatter’s Book of Great Desserts,” by Maida Heatter
Lloyd has gone through this cookbook twice, she says, “because I got my greasy fingers on it so much at one point.” She considers this book her “Bible for baking,” which includes recipes for cakes, cookies, pastries, crepes and more.
Unique baking gifts
Pyrex Kitchen Conversion Chart
For a cute and handy kitchen accessory, consider this conversion chart, which will help them make easy conversions from volume to weight measurements without having to grab their phone to look it up.
Smartake Unbleached Parchment Paper Round Baking Sheets
Pre-cut parchment paper sheets are a huge time saver for bakers. These round sheets — available in eight sizes — are ideal for cake pans or springform pans where they don’t want anything to stick to the bottom of a pan and can handle temperatures up to 450°F, according to the brand.
Cottage Egg Crate
Egg quality is of utmost importance when it comes to crafting baked goods. This exposed crate will give any home baker the opportunity to show off their speckled, multicolored eggs to anyone peeking in their fridge. As an added bonus, the crate is dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
Baked Goods? I Make Baked Greats! Oven Mitt
Norrell received this oven mitt, but says she doesn’t use it “because it’s so beautiful.” Whether the home baker you’re shopping for wants to admire this oven mitt or use it as they bake, it’ll earn a laugh when they receive it
Afun Chef Apron
Every baker needs a good apron to keep their clothes flour-free. This one has adjustable back straps, three pockets fitted for cooking tools, portable phones, spices and measuring spoons.
Meadow Rolling Pin
Embossed rolling pins are an easy way for them to make cookies even prettier. This bestselling Etsy version has a laser-cut floral design that will easily transfer onto cold dough before baking.
Bread Warming Blanket
If they like making and serving fresh bread, this warming blanket allows them to always have warm loaves and rolls on hand. The blanket has a removable pouch that’s microwave-safe that they heat up, then insert it back into the blanket before wrapping the bread and bringing it to the table.
Burlap & Barrel Baking Collection
Premium spices are a major component of having flavorful goodies. With this set of a "baker's half dozen" jarred spices like royal cinnamon sourced from Vietnam and robust cardamom pods from Guatemala, they will have just about everything they may need for tasty treats all year long.
28 Collective Personalized Pastry Board Cutting Board
This personalized pastry board is perfect for those who love precise measurements of things. The outside of the board has inch measurements which are excellent for making cinnamon buns of the same thickness. The middle of the board has circles measuring anywhere from four to 10 inches, which are all standard pie crust measurements.
Google Pixel Watch 2
Since bakers always have their hands dirty with egg yolks, dough and batter, they’ll love a smartwatch that they can use to read texts, set timers and more — all hands-free.
“Being in business, I have a lot of thoughts and ideas throughout the day, but I have my hands full,” she says. “So I would like a new Google watch or pics award where I can talk into my notes. So when I have an idea, I can just say, ‘Okay, put this in my notes, so I can work on this later.’”
Best gift cards for bakers
Williams Sonoma Gift Card
Bakeware gets expensive quickly. When you gift the baker in your life a Williams Sonoma gift card, they can afford the bakeware they have been eying for months.
Sur La Table Gift Card
Struggling to find the perfect gift for the home baker you're shopping for? With this Sur La Table gift card, they can choose from a variety of cooking classes, cookware, baking kits and more.
Our Place Gift Card
Our Place has captured the hearts of home cooks with their Always Pan and Perfect Pot. However, they have recently released a variety of ovenware for home bakers. This gift card is the perfect gift for any baker who loves control over their kitchen.
Le Creuset Gift Card
Everyone loves Le Creuset bakeware, but fears the cost. With a Le Creuset gift card, your favorite baker can finally afford the Le Creuset bakeware they have been eying.
King Arthur Baking Gift Card
Galus recommends a King Arthur Baking gift card for serious home bakers. The brand sells ingredients, including a wide variety of flours. Plus, the brand sells tools that are “a little bit nicer and more specific to a bread baker,” she says.
Meet the experts
- Reva Castillenti is the head baker at JM Bakery in New York City. She specializes in bread baking and teaches a bagel-making class in New York City.
- Janie Deegan is the founder of Janie’s Life-Changing Baked Goods, a bakery based in New York City. She began baking professionally after becoming sober, using it as a “meditative act of self-care.” Today, her pie-crust cookies are beloved across the city.
- Meg Galus is the executive pastry chef at Good Ambler, a bakery and chocolatier based in Chicago. She has been in the industry for 20 years and fuses her French training and Midwestern background to make sweets that are “approachable and delicious.”
- Isabella Knack is the owner and chocolatier of Dallmann Confections, a family-owned chocolate company based in San Diego. She learned her basic chocolate-making skills from her father who owned a bakery in Austria. After she learned about the potential to create with chocolate, she said it was “love at first sight.”
- Bobbie Lloyd is the CEO and CBO (Chief Baking Officer) of Magnolia Bakery. Other than experimenting with recipes and planning six months ahead, Lloyd is the author of the cookbook, “The Magnolia Bakery Handbook: A Complete Guide for the Home Baker.”
- Judith Norrell is the co-owner of Silver Moon Bakery in New York City. She believes that all bakers should enjoy the moment, and “feel the knife in your hand and feel the peel or the core in your hand.”
