gift guide: bakers

ASIDE FROM the obvious super delicious benefits of baking, there are so many others that make it such a sweet pastime. Baking is for sure some people’s love language [hi there]; it’s such a fantastic way to make someone’s day and let them know that you’re thinking of them. It can be super meditative and therapeutic, so totally counts as self care. It’s also a really lovely way to spend time with someone special, learning their deepest [baking] secrets, sharing memories and exchanging or making new family traditions. And there are SO many beautiful, creative, innovative things out there to help make the process even more delightful that also make just perfect gifts. You might even get a little ‘thank you’ in the form of something extra sweet.

THERE ARE bonus sections in this post just for Mixing Bowls [I love a good vessel] and Baking Cookbooks [click the links to jump there]. Check out the Gift Guide to Baking Stuff for Kids + Teens, too. There are a ton of awesome ideas there for bakers who are young or young at heart. And if you don’t see what you need, reach out, I’m always here for you. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

+ I couldn’t love this this Graphic Pie Dusting Set any more. It’s a beautiful collaboration between Brooklyn-based AHeirloom and acclaimed baker, Erin Jeanne McDowell, and it will bring your pies to the next level. Or like 5 more levels. There are two sets to choose from and I love them both. + $33

+ Seasoned bakers and novices alike will all love Caraway’s Bakeware. Stunning to look at? Check. Every piece you could possible need? Check. Non-toxic, non-stick ceramic coating so nothing grody gets into your treats? Check and check. Plus it comes in 7 heavenly colors to delight any baker you love. Sets come in 11 pieces or 5 pieces or you can buy each piece individually to round out a collection. Plus it comes with Caraways’ unique signature storage organizer so everything has a place. LOVE. + from $40

+ If your baker is a staunch ‘measure twice, cut once’ type, then this JK Adams Lovely Baking Rolling Pin Set could be their new BFF. A sweet collaboration between Lovely: A Bake Shop and Vermont-based JK Adams, this set of extra wide, precisely measured, smoothly waxed pins will help you create perfect treats every time. And they’re hand-carved from sustainably forested wood, making them heirloom pieces that will last a lifetime. + from $25

+ GIR’s Baker’s Bundle has a sweet trio of super useful stuff that would make a fab gift. The silicone Pastry Mat has conversions, measurements and other helpful info printed right on it. The Cupcake Liners save all kinds of paper [love mine] and the Oven Mitts are just so cute. It’s all made with GIR’s awesome pharmaceutical-grade silicone, so you know it’s safe and super easy to clean. + $59

+ This Nordic Ware Stacking Cooling Rack is absolutely brilliant for big-batch bakers. It’s twice the cooling space without sacrificing your surfaces for rolling, mixing or frosting. It’s a non-stick copper surface that won’t chip or rust and is fridge and freezer friendly. Plus it all comes apart when you’re done for slim storage. Genius. + $34

+ Great Jones’ Bakeware is more than a SUPER pretty face. It’s scratch-resistant, dishwasher-friendly, PFOA-free and designed to release your goods with ease. They make bright, fun Cake Pans, Loaf Pans, Pie Dishes, Muffin Pans and more all in fabulous colors that would appeal to stylish tweens, teens and adults. I love mine. + from $30

+ AHeirloom makes gorgeous things out of wood in Brooklyn and I’ve admired their Wooden Cake Stands for a long time. They’re understated, classic, handmade and gorgeous. They’ll also personalize one for you for a stunning, extra special wedding or ‘just because’ gift. + from $80

+ Get your French on with this Staub Enameled Cast Iron Crepe Pan. The long wooden handle doesn’t get hot and the enameled coating won’t rust, chip or crack. It comes complete with a wooden Spatula and Spreader, so all you need is a good recipe [or this mix] to get started. Oui Oui. + $99.95

+ Nordic Ware has a kind of mind blowing collection of unique, intricate and elegant Bundt Pans. It’s Nordic Ware, so you know you’re going to get a super uniform, beautifully baked cake and these pans ensure that it’ll be stunning, too. I’m not sure I could ever choose just one, they’re so pretty. + from $37.95

+ Gift your baker time and perfect uniformity with this Ateco Croissant Roller Cutter. It rolls out 6 perfect croissants with each revolution. The stainless steel roller ensures there’s nothing gross being rolled into your flaky treats and it’s easy to clean. + $59.99

+ How pretty is this Agate Cake Slicer and Knife Set? The handles are natural agate stone, so will vary from piece to piece. It will add instant elegance to your bakers cake + pie presentation. These would be a pretty hostess or wedding gift, too. + $48

+ Holy gorgeous. These Estelle Colored Glass Hand-Blown Cake Stands are inspired by the founder’s grandmother, ‘Big Mama,’ who collected vintage colored glass pieces and used them to serve her fabulous baked goods. These are hand-blown by artisans in Poland and they are a show-stopping gift. + $225

+ You know I love Mosser Glass anything and these Colored Batter Bowls are no exception. The handle and pour spout make it ideal for batters and it’s microwave and dishwasher safe. It’s made in a family-run Ohio factory that’s been using the same molds + machines for decades, giving it that lovely vintage look. And it comes in 4 beautiful colors. Love. + from $65

+ Gift your favorite baker a super extra Fancy Sprinkles Decorating Kit and then sit back and watch the creativity fly. It comes with everything they need for photo-ready treats. + from $30

+ Everything’s more fun when you have pretty ‘tools’ to work with. These ceramic Goldenrod Ceramic Measuring Cups are painted with pretty, delicate botanicals from an original Isa Salazar watercolor that will bring a bit of elegance to your baking. But you can still chuck them in the dishwasher when you’re done. Set of 4. + $28

+ For the super precise bakers you love, this Zwilling Enfinigy Digital Kitchen Scale is a must. It’s accurate to within 1g, but can hold up to 22 lbs [and measures in both grams + ounces]. It’s cordless, has a handy tare function so you can measure in almost any container and the seamless glass surface is super easy to clean. $49.95

+ Crow Canyon Home is a family-owned business that has been making fabulous enamelware since 1977. I love their Splatter and Vintage collections and there is a whole big line of Bakeware that just makes me smile. All of the pieces are a porcelain enamel over steel, so they are tough as nails. You can put them on the grill, in the oven and even right on the campfire. And they’re totally dishwasher safe. They also have a bunch of Trays + Platters that would make perfect presentation pieces for your baker’s finished products. + from $16

+ This Sur La Table Ultimate Cookie Cutter Set has everything you need to bake + decorate beautiful cookies all year round. It includes cutters, pastry bags, decorating dips and more. + $34.95

+ Help your baker feel like a pro with some super beautiful Baking Boxes to showcase their delicious efforts. CherCake on Etsy has a fun collection of supplies to make any baker look legit. + from $1.99

+ These pretty Hawkins New York Simple Measuring Cups are anything but simple in my eyes. They’re so pretty with the brass finish, nest perfectly and come in a cute little cotton pouch for storage. They have Simple Measuring Spoons, too. + $48

+ Love a pandemic bread maker? Help them channel their culinary creativity with this gorgeous handmade black walnut + brass Bread Slasher. It’s crazy sharp and comes with a pine box for safe storage. There’s even a Left Hand version for your favorite south paws. + $20

+ Williams Sonoma has an exclusive magical collection of Harry Potter baking and cooking stuff. It’s all really clever and would be a fantastic gift for fans of the series or lovers of serious HP fans. + from $7.95

Mixing Bowls

+ I was gifted these Mosser Glass Mixing Bowls several years ago and I love them so much. Each piece is hand-crafted from decades-old molds at Mosser Glass in Ohio and the colors are gorgeous. I use mine for mixing, serving and as a fruit bowl on my counter and they all nest neatly together for easy storage. Mosser also makes equally beautiful Batter Bowls and Cake Stands that would all make stunning gifts. + from $83

+ I love it when you come across something beautiful and useful that just so happens to also be super sustainable, like Material’s reBowls and reBoards. They’re made entirely from pulverized recycled plastic kitchen scraps [75%] and renewable sugarcane [25%], so there’s no virgin plastic involved. They’re also BPA-free, dishwasher safe and SO pretty. The reBowl comes in 5 gorgeous colors. + from $25

+ This 3-piece Great Jones Stir Crazy mixing bowl set is so cute. The ceramic bowls are microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe. They have a handy pour spout, nest for easy storage and come in 2 different color ways. Love that retro design. + $95

+ This 7-piece Bamboozle Nesting Bowl Set is sooo pretty and useful, yes. But it’s also made of biodegradable, dishwasher-safe, sustainably grown bamboo fiber. Like when you're done with them, you can literally just compost them and return them to the earth. Awesome. + $70

+ Crow Canyon Home Enamel Bowls come in a bunch of fabulous sizes and colors that would be awesome for baking. Choose one or make your own pretty set [that Large Salad Bowl is a great start]. Enamelware is super durable, oven safe and dishwasher safe, plus it’s so pretty. + from $16

+ Is it nerdy to love a set of bowls? Like really LOVE it? Well, fear of nerding out never stopped me before. This Duralex Lys 9-Piece Glass Bowl Set is one of my favorite and most-used items in the kitchen. Everyday. They nest perfectly for easy storage, go in the dishwasher and are otherwise seriously perfect. + $38.99

+ I love these Oxo Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls. They’re roomy and durable and they have a rubber grip on the bottom to keep them from sliding around. I use the biggie one constantly. + $60

+ These Food52 x Rosti Margrethe Nested Mixing Bowl beauties were designed in Denmark in 1954 and have seriously stood the test of time. They have an anti-slip ring around the bottom, so there’s no flinging your batter. There’s a handy little handle, a pour spout and lids for each of the 3 bowls. It comes in a ‘small’ and a ‘large’ size set and 9 stunning colors. Love it. + from $75

Baking Cookbooks

Chicano Bakes: Recipes for Mexican Pan Dulce, Tamales, and My Favorite Desserts by Esteban Castillo

The Essential Book of Vegan Bakes by Holly Jade

Baking with Kim-Joy: Cute and Creative Bakes to Make You Smile by Kim-Joy

Milk Bar: All About Cookies by Christina Tosi

Pieometry by Lauren Ko

Mastering Bread by Marc Vetri & Claire Kopp McWilliams

Tava: Eastern European Baking and Desserts From Romania & Beyond by Irina Georgescu

Cannelle et Vanille Bakes Simple: A New Way to Bake Gluten-Free by Aran Goyoaga

100 Cookies by Sarah Kieffer

Sheet Pan Sweets: Simple, Streamlined Dessert Recipes by Molly Gilbert

Paleo Baking at Home by Michele Rosen aka Paleo Running Momma

Macaron School by Camila Hurst

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