Our Design and Baking Obsessed Editor Swears by These Kitchen Essentials

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As house beautiful self proclaimed Hbic head baker in charge I was overjoyed at the opportunity to put together a gift guide for bakers. As I write this article I’m actually baking a recipe from one of the cookbooks listed, tk, and baking the cake in my tk. I’ve become a mini loaf enthusiast because it’s the easiest way to share my cakes with my friends and neighbors.

If like me the baker in your life is also a design enthusiast, you’ve come to the right place. This article is not just a baking gift guide it’s also a psa to every home dweller: replace your floral centerpiece with art we can all consume literally. A cake stand is the ultimate centerpiece. You read it here first. We have a variety to shop ahead from wooden to glass to covered to tiered. I highly recommend following my lead and purchasing several as different cake stands complement different recipes. For example, I prefer a wooden cake stand for the carrot cake from Claire saffitz (also shippable below) and a tiered stand for when I’m cooking up a variety of insanely snackable treats from delish.

Every item on this list I either currently own and use or have been coveting for some time now. The goods range from luxury to necessity and I highly recommend providing you giftee with either the big ticket item they’ve been afraid to pull the trigger on (like a kitchen aid which is the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received) or several of the affordable and equally important baking essentials like the cute spatulas I’ve had for 6 years now.

As House Beautiful's self-proclaimed HBIC—head baker in charge—I was overjoyed at the opportunity to put together a gift guide for fellow bakers. If like me, the baker in your life is also a design enthusiast, you’ve come to the right place. This article is not just a baking gift guide, it’s also a PSA to every home dweller: replace your floral arrangement with art we can all consume, literally. A cake stand is the number one centerpiece. You read it here first. We have a variety to shop ahead, and I highly recommend following my lead and purchasing several as different cake stands complement different recipes. For example, I prefer the look of a rustic cake stand for my favorite carrot cake by Claire Saffitz and a tiered stand for when I’m baking up a variety of decadent treats from Delish.

Every item on this list I either currently own and regularly use or have been coveting for some time now. As I write this article, I’m actually baking a lemon "snacking cake" from one of my favorite baking books in these adorable mini loaf pans, both of which you can shop ahead. The goods range from luxury to necessity, and I highly recommend providing your giftee with either the big ticket item they’ve been afraid to pull the trigger on (like a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, which is still the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received) or several of the affordable and equally important baking essentials like these cute spatulas that are still going strong after six years of frequent use. Plus, if you're lucky, the baker in your life will thank you with a sweet treat after receiving one or more of the 40 gifts ahead.

For more gifting ideas, shop the stories below:

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• 60 Housewarming Gifts Homeowners (and Renters!) Will Love

Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz

Dessert Person is the baking book that started my obsession. I fell in love with Claire Saffitz's recipe videos during the pandemic and hit preorder immediately when she announced she was releasing her first book. It's a work of art inside and out, making it both the perfect coffee table book and companion on one's baking journey.

Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Once you own a KitchenAid stand mixer you'll wonder how you ever baked without one. My mom gifted me this 3.5-quart version a few years ago, and it's still the best gift I've received to date. I opted for the smaller version due to minimal apartment counter space but it hasn't stopped me from achieving my biggest baking dreams. 10/10 recommend if you're looking to gift big.

Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer

Speaking of big, the five-quart version is also a great option assuming the baker you're shopping for has the space to store it. Plus, it's only $50 more than the smaller version.

Nonstick Ceramic Bakeware Set (11 Pieces)

When I first started baking, I found I was buying new bakeware weekly to fit every recipe I tackled. If I had only known that would be the case, I would've put this 11-piece set on my wish list. This might be the next best thing on this list after a stand mixer if you're really trying to impress the baker in your life.

Good Grips 8-Piece Baking Essentials POP Container Set

These storage containers were the first purchase I made to elevate my baking game, and I'm fully obsessed. Keeping ingredients fresh is an essential for any recipe and the air-tight seals work wonders. My favorite feature, which any baker will appreciate, is that the two large, 4.4-quart containers in this set each come with a half-cup scoop that slides seamlessly onto the lid for easy access whenever you need to measure your flour.

Mini Loaf Pan, Set of 3

Once your loved ones know you have the baking bug, your holiday gifts have a clear theme. These mini loaf pans were gifted to me a few Christmases ago, and I love them so much I've in turn gifted them to other bakers in my life. The sizing works out so a recipe for a traditional loaf pan perfectly fills these three mini versions. Not only is everything more adorable when it's small in size, but this is also the easiest way to share your favorite recipes with friends and neighbors.

Non-Stick Mini Loaf Pan, 8-Cavity

The only downside to the set above is that sometimes you need more than three cakes to share. This eight-loaf pan is similar to a cupcake or muffin pan, but instead you get several cute little loaves that anyone would be delighted to receive.

Jupiter Beaded Glass Cake Stand

Like a delicate vase, this glass cake stand makes a stunning centerpiece and adds a nice pop of color to any baker's creation. I'm personally a fan of the pink colorway but this stand also comes in traditional clear glass or a vibrant blue hue.

Marble + Wood Cake Stand

If your baker is able to resist finishing their cake right away, you'll want to gift them a stand with a dome to keep it fresh, like this simple yet elegant version from Anthropologie.

Hot Mitts

The silicone material on Our Places's oven mitts offers better heat protection than fabric alternatives and allows them to be cleaned easily after each use. Plus, they can be easily stored on display with either the built-in magnet or the hanging loop.

Home Cook Apron

If you're ordering the oven mitts, you should definitely get the matching apron as well. Like the mitts, the apron comes in lavender, sage, and blue salt. It's adjustable, machine washable, and packed with pockets to store all of their baking essentials.

Snacking Cakes: Simple Treats for Anytime Cravings

I first learned about Yossy Arafi when she appeared on Saffitz's YouTube channel to bake this pumpkin cake, which I made for my birthday a few years ago. (It was a hit!) Every "snacking cake"—a fitting term Arafi coined—is quick and easy. The recipes often don't require a stand mixer, or even more than one bowl, so this makes a perfect first gift for the budding baker in your life.

White Flower Market Cake Carrier

I have been on the hunt for an attractive cake carrier for awhile now, but everything I had been seeing on the market looked like a huge, plastic piece of tupperware, which kind of defeats the purpose of the gorgeous cake you just spent time decorating. Thankfully, MacKenzie Childs came through with this solution, which is on the top of my shopping list now. Their carriers come in a variety of patterns that are sure to delight any baker.

What's for Dessert

Saffitz's second baking book is ironically the better gift for beginners. It includes 100 recipes that are just as delectable as the ones you'll find in Dessert Person but they are much simpler and don't require a stand mixer. If you're shopping for someone at the beginning of their baking journey, this is a great book for you.

Warp Resistant Nonstick Baking Pan

Fun fact: House Beautiful's Editorial Director Joanna Saltz also founded the food brand Delish (making her the real head baker in charge). She owns these baking sheets in a variety of sizes because they are "nice and hefty, completely non-stick, and they don't warp."

Oven Mats

Even non-stick baking sheets benefit from some extra protection, and these reusable oven mats look great and are sustainable, too. Whether they're roasting nuts for a recipe or baking a tray of cookies, these mats will keep them out of sticky situations.

Recipe Tin

Every baker needs a way to store the recipes they've collected over the years, and these colorful tins are the sweetest I've seen on the market. Bonus gift idea: Fill the recipe tin with your own favorite recipes to get their collection started.

Measuring Cup Set Mint Green

I picked these measuring cups up on a Target run to match my KitchenAid stand mixer in "Ice," and they are now my go-to measuring cups for two reason: price and practicality. At $3 they wouldn't be a burden to replace, but I haven't needed to swap them out even after regular use. My favorite feature is that they snap together so you'll never lose part of the set.

Gold Measuring Cups & Spoons

If the baker in your life is in need of elevated essentials, this gold measuring set is a stunning addition to any baking collection. One feature that really takes it up a notch? The engraved measurements. There's nothing worse than numbers fading on measuring cup over time and they'll never have to worry about that with these.

Classic Mixing Bowls, Set of 5

KitchenAid's mixing bowls are designed to make baking better. The non-slip base and pour-friendly spout help to prevent messes, and they are stackable for easy storage.

Signature Nonstick French Whisks, Set of 2

The weighted stainless steel handles on this set look and feel absolutely luxurious. Plus, the silicone-wrapped whisks double as a scraper if they don't feel like pulling out a spatula.

Collection Spatula Spoonula Set

If there is such a thing as a spatula snob, I think I might be it. I have tested a variety of them over the years, but I have yet to find a spatula I like more than this cute and affordable one. If a spatula is too stiff, scraping a bowl can be a pain, but this version is flexible and durable, which is why it's been my go-to for over six years.

Courtly Check Enamel Spoon Rest

There's no way to avoid it; baking is messy. Something that helps? A place to rest your spoon, whisk, spatula, what have you. I gifted this version from MacKenzie-Childs to a friend recently for her wedding and it looks so stylish I had to cop my own.

Ceramics 4 Piece Baker Set

Staub stans know you must shops the sales, and at this price you can get them in two different colorways for the price of one. The set includes 7.5" x 6" and 10.5" x 7.5" rectangular baking dishes as well as two bowls and comes in cherry red, dark blue, and white.

Paris Pro 11-Piece Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Set

If your favorite baker loves The Great British Baking Show, they'll recognize these pans immediately. GreenPan is the go-to cookware on the beloved show and a House Beautiful favorite as well. Whether they pull these out for one of their bakes or just every day use, this is a gift anyone will appreciate.

Madison Marble & Brass 2-Tier Cake Stand

I'm partial to baking cakes, but for the cookie or pastry lover in your life, a two-tier cake stand is a must. This marble and gold option is elegant and understated to really allow the treats to make the statement.

Delish Insane Sweets

Many people start baking because it's fun, and this baking book is as fun as it gets. With over 100 recipes from "Death by Chocolate Brownies" to "Crème Brûlée Cookies," they're sure to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Wood Cookbook Holder

Baking books take up a lot of counter space and can get messy when you're in the zone, so a stand like this one from Joanna Gaines is a practical and stylish solution.

Classic Wood Rolling Pin

I'm an advocate for using a bottle of wine as a rolling pin (also a great gift for a baker, or frankly anyone), but this top-rated rolling pin has over 22k reviews and delivers on quality and price point, making it a close second.

Goldtouch Pro Nonstick 6-Piece Ultimate Set

This gold set is a stunning addition to any baker's arsenal and a great first gift to get them started if they're not quite ready to commit to filling every pantry in their kitchen with bakeware.

5 Ultra Power Speed Hand Mixer

Although I'm a standing mixer stan, if you're looking for a handy and more affordable baking appliance to gift, KitchenAid's hand mixer is up to the task. It's also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning!

Aluminum 8-Inch Round Cake Pan Set, 2-Piece

Your baker will definitely need several round cake pans if you gift them Dessert Person or any other more advanced baking book that features layered cakes. This is the brand I own, and I am quite happy with them, especially for the price.

Round Silicone Baking Mats for 8 Inch Cake Pan

There is nothing worse than the layers of a cake sticking to the pan and these reusable mats are the perfect way to prevent disaster. Plus, they'll never have to order parchment rounds, or tediously cut out their own, again.

4 Piece Heritage Bakeware Set

Anyone's eyes will light up when they receive a gift from Le Creuset, and the brand's Heritage set is a staple for a reason. These classic pans and dishes are made to last and look great at the center of any tablescape.

Angled Icing Spatula, Set of 2

Icing cakes can be a finicky task, but it's so much easier with the right tools. This set comes with a six-inch and an eight-inch offset spatula to make tackling any hard-to-reach areas on their cake a breeze.

Ceramic Pinch Bowls, Green Set of 4

Salt shakers and grinders have their time and place, but nothing beats the ease of a pinch bowl when it comes to baking. Anthropology sells sets in a variety of colors, so regardless of who you're shopping for, you should find a match for their aesthetic.

Hold Everything Revolving Spice Rack, Ashwood

I've finally tired of the game of Tetris I've been playing in my spice cabinet, and this spice organizer is now in my cart. Its simple yet elevated storage solution every baker needs. Trust me.

Classic Stripe Towels Set of 4

So many dish towels on the market are simply decorative, but this pack looks good and works hard. The four-piece sets come in several colorways and Williams Sonoma also has the option to monogram them for your baker for an added personal touch.

Ateco Stainless Steel Cake Tester

Sure, toothpicks do an OK job, but they are often too short to truly test your cakes. These testers are reusable, aka more sustainable, and the bright blue tips will keep them from getting lost among your other baking tools.

Pro Dough Pastry Scraper/Cutter/Chopper

This bench scraper has over 33k five-star reviews for a reason. With a sleek style, low price point, and convenient measuring markers, this multi-purpose tool checks all the baking boxes.

Food Kitchen Scale

Precision is essential in baking and this scale will take any baker's game to the next level. This option is compact and easy to store away but also looks great displayed on the counter. I'm partial to the pink colorway but it's also available in neutral black or stainless steel.

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