24 Best Gifts for Bakers, According to Professional Bakers Who Know Best

Erin Kanagy-Loux, pastry chef and culinary educator, tells Well+Good that a French rolling pin is an essential—and although your giftee may already have one, a) it never hurts to have multiple, and b) you can always give ’em an upgrade, such as this gorgeous J.K. Adams rolling pin. Made of hardwood and measuring 20.5 inches in length, the pin is ideal for rolling out pie, tarts, cookie dough, and more.

What’s the difference between a French and American rolling pin? “Different from the classic American style pin, where the handles move freely from the rolling barrel, a French pin is just a single piece of wood that can be tapered or untapered,” Kanagy-Loux explains to us. She adds, “Using a French pin gives you so much more control. You are directly rolling the pin, which allows you to evenly distribute the weight and pressure along the length of the pins.”

Pros:

• Affordable
• Great for rolling out pies, tarts, doughs
• Made of hardwood

Cons:

• Not long enough for pasta

Specs:

• Color: tan
• Length: 20.5 inches
• Width: 1.75 inches

For experienced bakers, Melanie Pabon, Executive Pastry Chef for Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, recommends a heat gun for those who frequently work with chocolate, and use high temps to melt, mold, and shape. This dual temp gun is lightweight and has an ergonomic design which makes it easier to handle for long periods of time.

Pros:

• Dual-temperature
• Lightweight
• Ergonomic design

Cons:

• Trigger system may be finicky

Specs:

• Color: yellow
• Length: 20.5 inches
• Width: 1.75 inches
• Depth: 2.75 inches

Originally $75, now $58

She’s beauty and she’s grace, she’s…all the way Le Creuset. Rémy Fünfrock, Executive Pastry Chef at the Charleston-based Hotel Bennett, suggests a Le Creuset bakeware set—or really, anything Le Creuset. For durability, nearly unparalleled compatibility with high temps, the ability to offer extremely even baking, and, yes, aesthetics, it’s hard to beat Le Creuset when you’re going for luxury bakeware and cookware. The set of two is Le Creuset’s most popular sizes, since they’re so versatile—use them for desserts, casseroles, roasted veggies, and more. They’re also available in 11 colors.

Pros:

• 10-year warranty
• Freezer-, oven-, microwave-, broiler-, and dishwasher-safe
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Small

Specs:

• Colors available: 13
• Material: stoneware

Great baking comes down to skill, patience, passion, and high-quality ingredients. Most bakers will never cheap out on the latter, and since vanilla is something they likely use the most of, helping them restock their bottle is something they’ll appreciate. Made of sugar, water, vanilla beans, and vanilla extract, this rich paste “offers an indulgence rich vanilla flavor profile to anything it touches,” Tiffany Lewis, Chief Cookie Officer at Cookies With Tiffany, tells us.

Pros:

• 3-year shelf life
• Gluten-free
• Rich flavor

Cons:

• Expensive

Specs:

• Flavor: vanilla
• Weight: 0.5 pounds

Originally $72, now $60

“This is the ideal cake spinner—not just in general, but for making videos, too. A lot of commercial cake spinners suck, [as] they don’t spin smoothly or quickly, [and some of the popular brands] bump like a broken down car. This Ateco spinner spins really smoothly and quickly, making it perfect for frosting cakes but also for catching a rotating food shot (so if you want to start shooting more reels or make a beautiful Jake Cohen style avocado toast video, this is your best bet!),” Katie Melody, food video producer at The Feed Feed, shares. It’s also non-slip, so if you’re a fast-paced baker, this feature prevents cringe-y cake accidents.

Pros:

• Comes with non-slip pad
• Revolving feature
• Fits 12-inch cakes

Cons:

• Expensive

Specs:

• Color: white
• Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 5 inches
• Weight: 6.4 pounds

Recommended by Laurent Branlard, Pastry Chef at Lake Nona Wave Hotel, a baking fleximold makes it possible for bakers to create desserts of all kinds of unique shapes and sizes. This one is made of silicone and is ideal for bread making or baking. They’re “so versatile since you can use them to bake or freeze,” he says.

Pros:

• Suitable for bread making and baking
• Non-stick
• Unique mold

Cons:

• One shape

Specs:

• Color: black
• Material: silicone
• Height: 2.37 inches
• Diameter: 9.43 inches

Baking is a science, so it helps to have the right tools—this includes an infrared thermometer, recommended by Pabon. What makes this thermometer so special is its accuracy, and the fact that it can measure temps at larger distances than most (14.17 inches to be exact). It also has a neat auto-shutoff feature, so you don’t have to worry about its LCD screen being left on for hours and draining battery life.

Pros:

• Can measure at greater distances
• Precise temperature recognition
• Auto-off LCD screen

Cons:

• Requires batteries

Specs:

• Color: yellow and black
• Power source: battery
• Product dimensions: 6.1 x 3.1 x 1.57 inches

The baker in your life likely has stockpiles of sheet pans—of this we’re sure. But Great Jones’ release and their color ways (a pretty green called “Broccoli”) is a fun addition. Good sheet pans are essential for all sorts of baking, but especially for pie-baking. This one is made of aluminized steel and ceramic nonstick coating, perfect for roasting veggies and baking cookies. What’s more, it’s oven-safe and dishwasher-friendly. “A sheet pan is great for roasting/ baking things but essential for putting a pie on (when baking). A well-made and assembled pie will 100% leak while baking,” Kanagy-Loux says.

Pros:

• Ceramic non-stick
• Dish-washer friendly
• Comes in fun colors

Cons:

• Pans may warp with time

Specs:

• Colors available: 4
• Material: aluminized steel and ceramic
• Dimensions: 17.25 x 12.25 x 2 inches

Pabon says a high-quality plating or “quenelle” spoon (a smooth spoon that is specifically designed to scoop, splatter, drizzle, and more) can be your “best friend” in the kitchen, and you’re likely to see every baker carry this Mercer Culinary one with them everywhere they go. It’s made with stainless steel for durability and the spoon’s weight is balanced for control when cooking.

Pros:

• Stainless steel
• Satin finish
• Designed for precise pouring

Cons:

• Expensive

Specs:

• Colors available: 3
• Material: stainless steel

Originally $20, now $12

Lewis says a fish spatula can, “quickly fluff, whisk, serve and transfer baked goods,” adding that it’s “one of my most favorite tools in the kitchen can be use on both the savory and sweet side. From the traditional use of cooking fish, to flipping roasted veggies, potatoes, steaks, and pancakes, to sifting your flour and transferring freshly baked cookies to cool, this tool does it all. They are so wonderful, you may just want a few.” It’s made of stainless steel and features an oversized head, perfect for flipping any of your food creations over.

Pros:

• Stainless steel
• Comes in three sizes
• Ergonomic handle

Cons:

• May scratch other cookware

Specs:

• Colors available: silver
• Sizes available: 3
• Material: stainless steel
• Dimensions: 9″, 11″, or 13.5″ long

Originally $110, now $100

This is more so for the baker who documents their work of art online, but it’s been a game-changer for Melody, who tells us, “It’s a stand for your phone and you can shoot overhead, a great gift for anyone thinking about getting into shooting more Reels/TikToks and a ‘lotta, ‘lotta people in the food media world use this, myself included. Unlike other phone mounts, it’s really stable and can go on the tabletop. Love this.”

Pros:

• Adjustable
• Compatible with Apple, Samsung, LG, and Google phones
• Versatile

Cons:

• Expensive
• Wobbly

Specs:

• Color: black
• Weight: 3.96 pounds
• Product dimensions: 15.9 x 11.4 x 4.2 inches

It may be simple, but having a few of these spatulas make icing cakes a breeze. Kanagy-Loux says it’s the “perfect tool for just about everything,” adding, “Great for icing cakes, flipping crepes, removing cakes from pans, checking for doneness and a whole lot more.”

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Affordable
• Stainless steel

Cons:

• Comes with sticky adhesive

Specs:

• Color: silver
• Material: stainless steel
• Weight: 0.05 pounds
• Dimensions: 8 x 0.75 x 0.5 inches

Recommended by Branlard, this digital scale is a must for any bread baker (any baker in general, but with bread, extremely accurate measurements are even more important, since any slightly wrong amount of ingredient can totally set a loaf up for disaster). Professional bakers rarely use measuring cups, since scales give such a granular measurement, and this one is top-of-the-line quality (plus, it’s also self-calibrating and full submersible in water).

Pros:

• Weighs up to 10 pounds
• Waterproof
• Durable

Cons:

• Expensive

Specs:

• Color: silver
• Display: digital
• Width: 6 inches
• Depth: 6.75 inches

Technically, olive oil isn’t just for bread—you can use it in just about anything. “Baking is science. Baking is heart. And it’s creativity. I love Corto Olive Oil because they have a product that allows me to do just that,” Holly Gale, owner of Hearth Patisserie, says. She adds, “I use olive oil in my breads, in my desserts, and in my own home. To me, it’s important to use a company and an ingredient that I know is quality!” Corto olive oil’s olives are grown by an Italian family in California, and ensure that their olives are harvested at peak season and sent to their “state-of-the-art” on site mill, which makes the freshest, tastiest olive oil.

Pros:

• Large amount
• Chef approved
• California Olive Oil Council-certified

Cons:

• Expensive

Specs:

• Size: 3 liters

Originally $419, now $299

You can use a KitchenAid stand mixer for just about anything in the kitchen, but it especially makes bread-making quicker (and gives hands a break from all that kneading). The machines features 10 speeds and attachments to make mixing easier, whether you’re mixing burger meat or cookie dough. It comes with a stainless steel bowl for mixing, a flat beater, s-dough hook, and a wire metal whip.

We know that a lot of bakers consider the KitchenAid stand mixer the holy grail of kitchen tools and have one already, but it still makes the list, since nearly ever baker we spoke with recommended it. And, hey, maybe your friend has had this beauty on their wishlist for ages, and you want to surprise them. “It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” Lewis says.

Pros:

• Comes with three attachments
• Durable
• 10 speeds

Cons:

• Expensive
• Only 1-year warranty

Specs:

• Colors available: 5
• Dimensions: 15.3 x 15.3 x 10.4 inches

Originally $20, now $17

If you don’t have the kind of dough to drop on a KitchenAid stand mixer, Melody suggests a dough whisk as an alternative. “I have been asking anyone who will listen to get one of these. I don’t have a KitchenAid stand mixer, and honestly it sucks that like, that $300-400 purchase is such a separating factor in the baking community. This dough whisk makes bread and pastry making a lot easier on the fly and it’s a fraction of the cost,” she says. The way the wires are uniquely designed makes mixing even the thickest of dough a whole lot easier.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Blends liquids and solid ingredients

Cons:

• Large

Specs:

• Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Material: stainless steel
• Dimensions: 12.99 x 3.13 x 1.18 inches

A good bread and pastry book is a must, and Pabon recommends this one by Michael Saus. In this book, you’ll learn advanced techniques, presentation, and more. Even if you’re a great bread baker, it never hurts to keep studying to improve your craft—especially with bread, which can be tricky to get just right.

Pros:

• Learn about bread, pastry, and viennoiserie
• Designed for students, pros, and enthusiasts

Cons:

• Expensive

Specs:

• Weight: 6.93 pounds
• Dimensions: 8.75 x 1.75 x 11 inches

Recommended by Carrie Morey, author of Hot Little Suppers: Simple Recipes to Feed Family and Friends, a French loaf pan like this is ideal for various types of breads. Made of high-quality and durable Burgundian clay, this baker distributes heat evenly, and its lid traps steam to give your bread the moisture it needs. It’s also just gorgeous to boot.

Pros:

• Releases bread easily
• Absorbs and retains heat evenly
• Scratch resistant

Cons:

• Can crack
• Expensive

Specs:

• Colors available: 2
• Weight: 6 pounds
• Dimensions: 13.5 x 6.5 x 6 inches

Baking can take quite a bit of time. To cut your baking time in half, experts recommend a sourdough starter and this one from Breadtopia is all the rave. Made with natural wild yeast and organic wheat flour, Breadtopia’s sourdough starter helps you to make homemade breads, cakes, muffins, and more in a fraction of the time.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Cuts baking time in half

Cons:

• Needs immediate care upon delivery

Specs:

• Ingredients: wild yeast, Lactobacillus bacteria, and organic wheat flour

Every food blogger and content creator needs a backdrop for those Insta-worthy photos, and this Beiyang backdrop is all that you’ll need. The kit features five backdrop boards: white marble, wood, brick, rust stone, and cement. Plus, it comes with four brackets and a carrying bag for easy transport. “You want to keep your content looking fresh and different, and being able to switch up the backdrop can totally change the mood of a scene,” says Juliane Grasekamp, a food photographer and recipe developer at Bonni Bakery.

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Portable
• Five different backdrops

Cons:

• Expensive

Specs:

• Weight: 6 pounds
• Dimensions: 16×16 inches

To help the food blogger in your life take content, consider an overhead stand, says Grasekamp. This one from Chromlives is equipped with a phone clip, which is perfect for taking videos and streaming live, and a table mount clamp that fastens to your table.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Overhead view
• Adjustable

Cons:

• Only holds a phone

Specs:

• Weight: 2.42 pounds
• Dimensions: 14.17 x 1.18 x 0.75 inches

If you’re a blogger, a c-stand is a great way to get overhead shots. “It is freestanding, so it doesn’t need to be attached to anything or put on the countertop.” says Grasekamp. This one from Amazon is made from heavy duty stainless steel, which can support soft boxes, umbrellas, reflectors, and more. It’s adjustable and comes with four holes in different sizes, so it’s compatible with a bunch of different equipment. Plus, it’s easy to carry and install. What’s not to love?

Pros:

• Made of stainless steel
• Compatible with different equipment
• Adjustable

Cons:

• Clamps may be hard to use

Specs:

• Weight: 18.51 pounds
• Dimensions: 9.84 x 52.99 x 4.02 inches

Originally $49, now $20

“Having an apron with your logo on it is bound to make any baking blogger look and feel professional,” says Grasekamp, and this personalized canvas apron will make any food blogger stand out. You can include text, a small icon (perfect for logos or initials), and choose from seven colors. The apron is finished with leather straps, giving the apron a professional look.

Pros:

• Customizable
• Leather straps

Cons:

• Small logos only

Specs:

• Material: cotton and leather blend

Good photos are an essential part of any food blog. If you or your loved ones are looking to up the ante on their photography skills, Grasekamp recommends gifting Foodtography School. It’s a seven-unit course that walks your through photography fundamentals, composition, lighting, editing, and more. You’ll also get access to a fully editable workbook, private Facebook group, and exclusive discount codes.

Pros:

• Seven units
• Community building
• Exclusive discounts

Cons:

• Expensive

Specs:

• Courses: 7
• Features: private Facebook group access and exclusive discount codes