Got a baker who you want to spoil? Move up to the top of their taste-tester list by surprising them with some amazing baking gifts they can use to whip up award-winning creations. Whether they’re into gourmet chocolate, sourdough bread or artfully decorated cakes, there’s something on the list below that’s sure to get their dough hook spinning. This is one person you want to keep on your good side so you can share in the sweet splendor, so don’t skimp!
1. Gourmet Baking Chocolate
By far the best gift for a sweets-loving baker is gourmet baking chocolate. This is an ingredient you know they’ll use but one they may not splurge on for themselves. Give a variety of options, including nibs, couverture, crumbles, and even decadent drinking chocolate they can use to create chocolate beverages. Stick to small-batch and specialty chocolatiers that you can’t find in the baking aisle of your local grocery store.
2. Commercial-Grade Baking Sheets
Your favorite baker doesn’t have to be running a business to enjoy the durability and performance of commercial bakeware. Often, commercial bakers use carbon steel baking pans because they’re made from heavier gauge steel that lasts longer than aluminum or regular steel. They’re also great at conducting heat and are naturally nonstick.
3. Silicone Baking Molds
While steel is a solid go-to for baking sheets, it’s not always the best for cupcakes, muffins, or shapes because it can make the cooked dough tough to release. Silicone, on the other hand, is flexible and easy to work with, making it great for shaped baked goods. If your recipient is into making their own chocolates or candy, grab one in squares, hearts, flowers, or truffle shapes so they can tap into their inner chocolatier.
4. Cake Decorating Staples
If your recipient is just getting into cake decorating — perhaps they recently binged Cake Wars — then invite them to try their hand at the craft with some essential cake decorating tools. The basics include piping bags, cake scrapers, and a rotating turntable.
5. Specialty Sprinkles
There are tons of small-batch sprinkle-makers out there who make one-of-a-kind creations that your recipient will swoon over. From confetti-like mixes and custom shapes to 24-karat edible gold flakes, these make next-level gifts for anyone who revels in making eye-catching baked goods. Just like high-end baking chocolate, gourmet sprinkles are one of those things any baker would love but may not spend the money to try themselves.
6. High-Quality Utensils
Quality baking utensils make the perfect stocking or gift bag stuffer for the baker on your list, especially if they’ve been working with cheap or old tools. Spend some time to research the best whisks, pastry brushes, bench scrapers, rolling pins, spatulas, etc., and spring for the best option you can find. You may also want to surprise them with a tool they don’t already own but could use, such as a Microplane or dough cutter.
7. Double Zero (OO) Flour
Here’s one for our savory bakers! Beloved by pizza and pasta makers around the world, double zero flour is a finely ground flour that’s considered the gold standard in many Italian recipes, including Neapolitan pizza. Although it’s typically used to make luxuriously smooth, chewy doughs, it’s also great for use in various Italian loaves of bread, cakes, and cookies. Since it tends to ring up for more than all-purpose and other varieties, double zero flour makes an amazing gift for your favorite baker.
8. A Custom Apron
Bakers, especially those who work with a ton of flour and frosting, simply can’t get away without wearing an apron in the kitchen. That means that they’re always in need of aprons to add to their collection! To make your gift extra-special, order or make a custom option that captures the essence of their baking style.
9. Baking Cookbooks
The key to choosing a cookbook as a gift is to make sure you choose something they already own and go for one that suits their baking level. For example, if your recipient is a lifelong baker, don’t get them a book designed for beginner baking or quick hacks. Some of the best baking cookbooks right now include Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz, BraveTart by Stella Parks, The Fearless Baker by Erin McDowell, and Tartine: A Classic Revisited by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson. Beginner bakers may also appreciate the gift of a MasterClass with Dominique Ansel or Apollonia Poilâne.
10. A KitchenAid Mixer
Longtime cooks know that equipment makes a huge difference. Upgrading to a new mixer can be a game-changer for the home baker who works with a lot of doughs and batters. If you want to knock it out of the park and aren’t especially concerned about budget, give the gift of a high-end mixer like the classic KitchenAid. Note that many mixers can be fitted with attachments for non-baking tasks, such as meat grinders or pasta extruders. These on their own can be fun gifts for a baker who already owns a quality mixer and likes to branch out of baking.
11. A High-Tech Food Scale
We’re seeing more and more professionals and serious home bakers switch to weight measurements (typically grams) versus volume measurements (cups, tablespoons, etc.). This is because weight measurements tend to be more precise and also because grams are universal, making converting recipes from other countries simpler. Give the gift of a high-tech food scale to help your baker make the switch.
12. A Gift Card to Their Favorite Local Bakery
One thing about bakers is that they love to support other makers in their space! If you know they’re a huge fan of a specific local baker or one in a region they’ll be visiting soon, give them a gift card so they can taste for inspiration.
Our best advice when shopping for the baker in your life is to focus on their style of baking. It doesn’t make sense to give a sourdough pro specialty sprinkles (unless, of course, they’re on the sourdough dessert train like we are). If you know the tools and ingredients they use to craft their creations, you can learn it and give them something you know will be thoroughly enjoyed.