The 38 Best Gifts for Bakers, Whether They're Into Making Sourdough or Cakes

Surprise, delight, and inspire the pastry wizards in your life.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

Gifts for bakers we recommend on a blue grid background

Serious Eats / Amelia Manley

It can sometimes be tricky to find the right gift for bakers. Do they really need another whisk? Is the expensive vanilla extract worth it? With the big, wide world of baking tools and gadgets open for exploration, you want your gift to be one worth keeping, not to be set aside in some forgotten corner until it shows up at a gift swap years later. 

We’ve developed this list of 38 bake-tastic gifts with every budget and kind of baker in mind, including cake enthusiasts, pastry extraordinaires, bread experts, cookie geniuses, pizzaiolos, and all-around oven obsessives. Whether the baker on your holiday gift list this year is a seasoned professional or a budding hobbyist, we’re sure you’ll find something that will spark joy in your special baker’s life.

A Whisk for Doughs (and More)

Zulay Kitchen Danish Dough Whisk Large Hand Mixer

Amazon Zulay Kitchen Danish Dough Whisk Large Hand Mixer

Amazon

Half wooden spoon, half whisk, the Danish dough whisk mixes thicker dough efficiently without getting glooped up. The loopy design of the head allows for batter and dough to move through the spacious open areas, making for a smoother mixing experience. They can even come in handy when incorporating stiff egg whites into cake or soufflé batter in place of a spatula. We recommend the Zulay Kitchen Danish Dough Whisk because its stainless-steel head mixes the stiffest dough with ease. It also works well with batters, so it isn’t just for bread bakers.

A dough whisk on a white countertop

Serious Eats / Andrew Janjigian

A Versatile Bowl Scraper

Indigo True Flexible Bowl Scraper

Indigo True Flexible Bowl Scraper

Amazon

Many a baker knows the agony of holding up a bowl of dough or batter while desperately trying to scrape everything into a pan or another bowl. We love our spatulas here, but sometimes you just need something with a bit more surface area to really maneuver around the wall of any size bowl. The Indigo True Flexible Bowl Scraper came out on top in our bowl scraper review. It has a thick ridge allowing for a steady grip while its edge is thin enough to get a clean scrape or to even cut through dough.

A Sturdy Scraper for the Bench

OXO Bench Scraper

Amazon OXO Bench Scraper

Amazon

If you’re gifting a bowl scraper you might as well consider a bench scraper. The two practically go hand-in-hand (pun intended) when it comes to essentials that you could give to a budding baker. We recommend the OXO Bench Scraper. In our tests, this model thoroughly and cleanly scraped off debris and dough across surfaces. Plus, its rounded handle made it comfortable to firmly grip.

using the oxo bench scraper to cut up pizza dough

Serious Eats / Eric King

A Sharp-As-Heck Bread Knife

Tojiro F-737 Bread Slicer

Tojiro F-737 Bread Slicer

Amazon

While it’s not part of the baking process, a serrated, sharp bread knife is essential for serving. Based on our review of serrated bread knives, we recommend the Tojiro F-737 Bread Slicer. Aside from being one of the most reasonably-priced bread knives out there, it's incredibly nimble and sharp and can cut through the crustiest of bread without a problem. It's also great at carving off the rind from butternut squash or even watermelon, showing its versatility.

tojiro bread knife on marble counter

Serious Eats / Jesse Raub

A Top-Tier Bread Lame

Breadtopia Bread Lame

Breadtopia Bread Lame with 5 Blades & Storage Box | Premium Lame Bread Tool | Bread Lame Dough Scoring Tool | Perfect as a Sourdough Scoring Blade |...

Amazon

Getting a bread lame is a rite of passage in bread baking, almost like getting a wand if you were a wizard. Our top pick is the Breadtopia Bread Lame, which was easy to control and produced beautiful, clean slashes. Plus, what’s not to love about a baguette-shaped handle?

A Workhorse Cast Iron Bread Oven

Challenger Breadware The Challenger Bread Pan

Challenger Breadware The Challenger Bread Pan

Challenger Breadware

If your giftee is on the verge of graduating from Dutch oven sourdoughs, then a bread pan is a great gift to scratch the itch. The Challenger Bread Pan was one of our favorites in our review: it's big, it's tall, and—serious bakers, take note—it's easy to pull off the ice cube trick (read here for more deets).

A round bread loaf in a parchment paper sling sitting in the shallow base of a cast iron combo cooker

Serious Eats / Andrew Janjigian

A Nimble, Offset Spatula

Ateco Offset Spatula with Stainless Steel Blade

Ateco Offset Spatula with Stainless Steel Blade

Amazon

From attaining a smooth, even coat of cream cheese frosting to getting fanciful swoops of buttercream atop a cake, an offset spatula is critical in a baker’s toolbox—yet often overlooked. The thin blade bends at an angle and then juts out straight, creating an “offset” blade. This allows the spatula to shimmy around tight corners and spread any frosting or filling with immaculate ease. Our recommendation is the Ateco Offset Spatula with Stainless Steel Blade, a small and nimble model that is as graceful as it is sturdy.

A person using an offset spatula to frost a cake on a cake stand

Serious Eats / Eric King

A Mini Spatula With Mighty Moves

ThermoWorks Mini Spatula Spoonula Set

ThermoWorks Mini Spatula/Spoonula Set

ThermoWorks

Small in size but big in efficiency, mini spatulas really come in handy for bakers when they need to scrape jams, spreads, or butter out of tiny, narrow jars and containers. They’re also helpful for mixing sourdough starter and clearing out measuring cups. We recommend the ThermoWorks Mini Spatula Spoonula Set, which comes in an array of fun colors and offers superior scraping with just the right amount of stiffness and flexibility.

ThermoWorks Mini Spat

Serious Eats / Irvin Lin

The Best Bundt Pan

Nordic Ware Platinum Collection Anniversary Bundt Pan

Nordic Ware Platinum Collection Anniversary Bundt Pan

Amazon

Part baking tool, part future heirloom, the humble yet captivating bundt pan has a special place in any cake baker’s heart. They can turn simple cakes into something fancy and can even be used to make fun jello molds. In our review of bundt pans, the Nordic Ware Platinum Collection Anniversary Bundt Pan came out on top due to its even browning and durable nonstick coating.

Nordic Ware Anniversary bundt pan on marble countertop

Serious Eats / Grace Kelly

The Best Round Cake Pan

Fat Daddio's 8x3-Inch Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan

Amazon Fat Daddio's 8x3-Inch Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan

Amazon

Anodized aluminum pans are great for cakes since they’re nonreactive and help maintain even browning during the baking process. We’re big fans of the Fat Daddio's 8x3-Inch Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan due to its deep sides, which shield cakes in the oven for an even, delicate top crust.

Baked vanilla cake in cake pans

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

A Stellar Stand Mixer

KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer

Amazon KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer

Amazon

While the price tag is admittedly steep for a KitchenAid 7-Quart Professional Stand Mixer, it’s great for a reason. At the time of our tests, KitchenAid only had a 6-quart model, but their latest iteration boasts a 7-quart capacity. For the dedicated baker who mixes every kind of dough on a near-daily basis, the Professional Series KitchenAid Mixer will make a world of difference in their kitchen.

A High-End Food Processor

Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor

Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor

Amazon

A Less Expensive, Still Powerful Food Processor

Cuisinart DFP-14UMBY 14-Cup Food Processor

Food Processor

Cuisinart

Frangipanes, pie doughs, and pastas—oh my! In our test of 17 food processors, the Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor was the overall best performer with its super quiet motor and highly efficient blade set, including a dough blade that kneaded pizza dough to perfection. However, it’s pricey, so we also recommend the Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor as a more budget-friendly model at $223.

Three food processors against a blue tile background

Serious Eats / Russell Kilgore

A Luxe Cake Stand

Le Creuset 12-Inch Stoneware Cake Stand

Le Creuset 12-Inch Stoneware Cake Stand

Amazon

Who doesn’t love a show-stopper cake on a show-stopper cake stand? If you’re looking to really spoil the baker in your life with a luxurious gift, a fancy cake stand can do no wrong. We have quite the list of our favorite cake stands—ranging from modern and minimal to quirky and whimsical. For something classic that will stand the test of time, we. like the Le Creuset 12-Inch Stoneware Cake Stand, which looks stunning with or without a cake on top.

An Easy-to-Use Thermometer

Thermoworks ThermoPop 2

Thermoworks ThermoPop 2

Thermoworks

Nothing says “thoughtful gifting” quite like food safety. Our longtime favorite thermometer brand, ThermoWorks, has a great budget-friendly model that’s both accurate and durable. Plus, it comes in a bunch of fun colors. We think it'd be a great stocking stuffer.

taking the temperature of ice water with thermopop 2

Serious Eats / Grace Kelly

A Reliable Scale

OXO 11-lb. Stainless Steel Food Scale With Pull-Out Display

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Scale

Amazon

Precision is key when it comes to baking, and some of us have had to learn the hard way. Save a baker's confidence today by gifting them our favorite food scale, the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Scale. It’s incredibly accurate and comes with added features like a pull-out display and removable bed.

20210317_OXO-GG-11lb-Stainless-Steel-Scale-with-Pull-Out-Display_Solo

Serious Eats / Emily Dryden

A Pair of Offset Tweezers

Mercer Culinary Offset Tip Tweezers

Amazon Mercer Culinary Offset Tip Tweezers

Amazon

Bakers can take their cake decorating next level with a solid set of culinary tweezers. Whether you know a baker who loves to gather flowers for their cakes or a pastry enthusiast who needs to place a piece of chocolate at just the right angle, a pair of Mercer Culinary Offset Tip Tweezers will really up their game. They’re incredibly helpful beyond the realm of baking, too, such as with fishing out capers from a teeny tiny jar. 

two pairs of kitchen tweezers on a wooden surface

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

A Tiny Sheet Pan for Tiny Tasks

Nordic Ware 1/8 Sheet Pan, 1-Pack

nordic ware 1/8 sheet pan

Amazon

The eighth sheet pan is sometimes an unsung hero of pans, but it’s often the perfect-sized pan for toasting nuts, testing recipes in small batches, or re-heating a couple of cookies. While any baker might already have a set of half or full-sized pans, it’s less likely they’d have an eighth sheet lying around for these more precise baking tasks. We recommend the Nordic Ware 1/8 Sheet Pan, which is durable, the perfect size, and easy to stack.

Aromatics on an eight-sheet pan

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

A Reliable Oven Thermometer

Rubbermaid Stainless Steel Instant Read Oven Thermometer

Amazon Rubbermaid Stainless Steel Instant Read Oven Thermometer

Amazon

It’s a truth as old as time: Your oven is a liar. Any baker who wants ultimate control in order to produce the perfect crumb or just-right texture needs an oven thermometer. No matter the oven, some run hot while others are a teensy bit too cool. The Rubbermaid Stainless Steel Instant Read Oven Thermometer is simple yet accurate and easy to read.

A Pair of Oven Mitts That Can Withstand Anything

Gorilla Grip Heat Resistant Silicone Oven Mitts Set

Gorilla Grip Heat and Slip Resistant Silicone Oven Mitts Set, Soft Cotton Lining, Waterproof, BPA-Free, Long Flexible Thick Gloves for Cooking, BBQ, Kitchen...

Amazon

For the bread baker who’s always sticking their hands into a 500-degree (or higher!) oven, a pair of durable, heat-resistant oven mitts is a must. From our review of oven mitts and pot holders, the Gorilla Grip Heat Resistant Silicone Oven Mitts Set came out on top due to their flexibility and length, allowing them to protect our forearms as well.

Gorilla Grip Heat Resistant Silicone Oven Mitts

Serious Eats / Jenny Kellerhals

A New (Better!) Balloon Whisk

GIR Premium Stainless Steel Whisk

Amazon GIR Premium Stainless Steel Whisk

Amazon

Sure, every baker will have a couple of whisks in their kitchen, but do they have the most user-friendly whisk we’ve ever touched? The GIR Premium Stainless Steel Whisk has a compact shape and textured silicone handle in addition to the whisk head itself, which has taut wires held at the perfect amount of tension to whisk pastry cream, egg whites, heavy cream, and more.

the GIR balloon whisk on a slate gray surface

Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

The Best Rolling Pin

J.K. Adams FRP-1 Maple French Rolling Pin

J.K. Adams FRP-1 Maple French Rolling Pin

Amazon

While a traditional straight rolling pin gets the job done, a French rolling pin’s slightly tapered ends allow for more precision while maintaining force and ease of function. Plus, the French rolling pin is simply beautiful to look at. After testing 11 models of rolling pins, we recommend the J.K. Adams FRP-1 Maple French Rolling Pin for its low-profile design and overall performance.

a tapered wooden rolling pin on a marble surface

Serious Eats / Eric King

A Dish Towel Upgrade

Coyuchi Organic Waffle Kitchen Towels

Organic Waffle Kitchen Towels

Coyuchi

When we tested 17 kitchen towels to find the best ones, the Coyuchi Organic Waffle Kitchen Towels came out as the high-end recommendation for those who wanted a little extra luxury in the kitchen. Made of 100% cotton in a waffle weave, they perform well and look great at the same time.

A hand pouring water onto a dish cloth
Serious Eats / Grace Kelly.

A Beautiful Apron

Kiriko ToK Japanese Apron

Kiriko ToK Japanese Apron

Kiriko

This simple apron is graceful yet utilitarian. With buttons on the side, the unique design of a Kiriko ToK Japanese Apron allows for ease of use and provides incredible coverage for the messiest of baking projects. Its generously deep pockets can hold spoons and thermometers. The company also makes aprons in a more traditional silhouette.

A Cookbook for Simple Yet Beautiful Bakes

A Good Day to Bake: Simple Baking Recipes for Every Mood

Amazon A Good Day to Bake: Simple Baking Recipes for Every Mood

Amazon

In Great British Bake Off star Benjamina Ebuehi’s second cookbook, the bakes are just as beautiful as they are approachable (read: very). They are the perfect recipes for cozy, rainy days where a baker has no choice but to preheat the oven. Each recipe is brimming with her creativity and ingenuity across herbs, spices, fruits, and more.

A Colorful Book for the Baker-Adventurer

Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed

Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed

Amazon

In her firework debut cookbook, baker Abi Balingit effortlessly remixes Filipino American desserts with the many cultures she grew up around in the Bay Area. For the baker who’s ready for bold flavors and exciting combinations, Mayumu offers exciting recipes such as adobo chocolate chip cookies or halo-halo baked Alaska.

Really Great Vanilla Extract (or Paste!)

Heilala Pure Vanilla Extract

Heilala Pure Vanilla Extract

Amazon

A high-quality vanilla extract is anything but bland. The right vanilla extract will lend complex notes to any recipe, and the Heilala Pure Vanilla Extract is no exception. Its strong, earthy vanilla extract that packs a punch into a very small amount. It also comes as a more concentrated paste with more vanilla seeds per teaspoon than other brands.  

Vanilla extract bottle on a wooden table with eggs and a rolling pin

Serious Eats / Emily Dryden

A High-Speed Hand Mixer

Breville The Handy Mix Scraper

Breville The Handy Mix Scraper

Amazon

For bakers who are short on space, a sturdy hand mixer can be a huge support in the kitchen. From creaming butter and sugar to whipping up egg whites, the Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer is an essential baking tool. This is a powerful model that performs well and cleans up easily—double win.

Breville Hand Mixer

Serious Eats / Donna Curie

An Inexpensive Set of Piping Tips

Ateco Stainless Steel Piping Tip Set (6-Piece)

Amazon Ateco Stainless Steel Piping Tip Set (6-Piece)

Amazon

For the budding cake decorator who’s learning their way around frosting, a foundational set of piping tips can get them on the right track. An Ateco Stainless Steel Piping Tip Set (6-Piece) goes a long way and doesn’t take up much space in the kitchen. Plus, we have a comprehensive guide to all the tips (ha!) and tricks on building a set of piping tips, if you want to go that route.

Five piping tips beside five rows of piped frosting on a piece of brown parchment paper

Serious Eats / Eric King

A Slab of Marble

Crate & Barrel French Kitchen Marble Pastry Slab

Crate & Barrel French Kitchen Marble Pastry Slab

Crate & Barrel

A slab of marble is a huge help in the baker’s kitchen when you need to keep your dough cold. For pastry lovers trying to get the perfect croissant layers or pie bakers working towards the flakiest crust, the Crate & Barrel French Kitchen Marble Pastry Slab gets the job done and looks great while doing it.

Really Good Baking Chocolate

Raaka Maple Dark Baking Chocolate

Raaka Maple Dark Baking Chocolate

Raaka

From getting a more complex chocolate chip cookie to adding layers of flavor to a chocolate babka, high-quality baking chocolate can make all the difference. Plus, it’s fun to use something extra fancy in place of the usual store-brand baking chocolate. Raaka Maple Dark Baking Chocolate lights up any chocolate-forward recipe with its fruity notes and bright flavor.

The Best Proofing Basket, a.k.a Banneton

Bulka Banneton Bread Proofing Basket

Amazon Bulka Banneton Bread Proofing Basket

Amazon

If your giftee is serious about baking big, beautiful boules, then a proofing basket (i.e. a banneton) is a fantastic gift to encourage their obsession. Proofing baskets help bread hold its shape as it rises, helping it form a rounded loaf rather than a sad, flat, blob. Our winning proofing basket from Bulka allowed dough to fully relax while still maintaining its round shape, and it was easy to use and clean.

the Bulka wood pulp bread proofing basket

Serious Eats / Jesse Raub

A Stellar Set of Mixing Bowls

Vollrath Economy Mixing Bowl Set

Vollrath Economy Mixing Bowl Set

Walmart

Mixing bowls are an underrated basic when it comes to baking—but oh are they essential! This set from Vollrath comes with five bowls and is great for measuring, mixing, and even proofing dough. Plus, at $25, they won't break the bank.

set of vollrath mixing bowls on a black marble countertop

Serious Eats / Grace Kelly

A Nonstick Loaf Pan

Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Loaf Pan

Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Pro Nonstick Loaf Pan

Williams Sonoma

Banana bread, pound cake, seed cake, sandwich loaves...what can't a loaf pan make? And this nonstick version from Williams Sonoma was easy to fill and empty (not to mention clean).

a gold toned loaf pan

Serious Eats / Jesse Raub

A Fine Mesh Strainer for Sifting and Straining

Rösle Stainless Steel Round Handle Kitchen Strainer

Amazon Rösle Stainless Steel Round Handle Kitchen Strainer, 7.9-Inch

Amazon

Whether you're straining custard or sifting cocoa onto a cake, a fine mesh strainer is an endlessly versatile tool for bakers. We love this sturdy version from Rösle (many of our editors use it at home) which offers a super fine mesh bowl and rounded handle that's easy to grip.

A Classic Metal Ruler

Eboot Stainless Steel Ruler and Metal Rule Kit With Conversion Table (Silver, 12-Inch, 6-Inch)

Eboot Stainless Steel Ruler and Metal Rule Kit With Conversion Table (Sil

Amazon

While you might wonder why a ruler made the list of gifts for bakers, it's because baking requires precision—and when you want to make a really beautiful pie lattice or perfect strips of dough, a ruler is a trusty kitchen sidekick.

An image of the different kinds of rulers for your kitchen

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

A Muffin Pan

USA Pan Nonstick Muffin Pan

USA Pan Nonstick Muffin Pan

Amazon

Muffins and cupcakes can't really be made without a special-shaped tin, and what baker wouldn't want access to making dozens of these petite pastries? We really liked this muffin tin from USA Pan—cupcakes and muffins rose nicely and were easy to remove, and the pan was easy to maneuver and clean.

usa pan muffin tin

Serious Eats / Irvin Lin

A Dutch Oven for Budding Bread Bakers

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven

Amazon

Newbie crusty bread bakers or those just dipping their toes into the sourdough pool will find Dutch ovens a great entry point. Preheated, the cast iron retains heat well, and the lid traps steam, which helps form that enviable crust. And the best part? This Dutch oven from Le Creuset will last a lifetime (and it's great for other kitchen tasks, too).

two hands with oven mitts on removing a Dutch oven from an oven

Serious Eats / Will Dickey

A Sourdough Starter Crock

King Arthur Baking Company Glass Sourdough Crock

King Arthur Baking Company Glass Sourdough Crock

King-arthur-baking

This clear glass crock will make it easy to tend to your giftee's sourdough starter (yes, they gave it a name, but rest assured, that's normal). With helpful measuring lines, feeding their starter baby the proper ratio of water and flour has never been easier. And, for the serious sourdough aficionado, consider pairing this gift with the Challenger Fermentation Mat to help maintain optimal proofing temperatures.

FAQs

What's the best gift for a bread baker?

We have some excellent ideas in the list above, like a Danish dough whisk and a new kitchen scale. A bread lame is always a good pick, especially when it has a cool or unique design, like the round-handled Wire Monkey UFO Bread Lame.

What a good gift for cookie bakers?

The majority of the above list could also apply to those who bake mostly cookies! A great bottle of vanilla extract? A bucket of flakey salt? An oven thermometer? A new balloon whisk? A powerful hand mixer? We think all of these, and more, would work nicely.

Your favorite cake baker surely has the basics (like cake pans and baking sheets), but they'd probably appreciate a new cookbook, a comfortable apron, or a couple of stackable mixing bowls.

Why We're the Experts