Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide - Bakers Edition!
Something sweet for every baker on your list, including you!
Be sure to save this post for when you start your holiday shopping! I know you may be in food prep mode today, but I wanted to share some gift ideas for the food lovers in your life before you head out to shop! Whether you’re buying for someone who’s just starting to bake or someone who is experienced, you’ll find something sweet here1. Lots of stocking stuffers in my Zoë Bakes Store, all designed by my husband. So fun!
Happy Thanksgiving, I’m so grateful for you! xo Zoë
For the Baker
Here are some gift ideas for anyone on your list who loves to bake! There are little gadgets that make baking even more fun for the new baker and some workhorse equipment for those who bake all the time and want to up their game.
Blow Torch - as Julia Child said, “every woman should have a blow torch!” I have several and use them for torching meringue, unmolding sticky cakes from their pan, warming a chilled bowl of buttercream and, of course, creme brûlée!
Silicone baking mat - These are one of the recent inventions that actually changed the baking world. A reusable surface that can be baked or frozen and nothing sticks to it. Brilliant!
Baking Scale & Portion Scoops - A baking scale should be at the top of the list, it’s just that important. It will make your baking more consistent. Here is a video on how to use a scale that will help anyone who hasn’t made the leap: WATCH VIDEO.
Decorative Cake Pans: My friend and fellow baker, Brian Hart Hoffman, designed these gorgeous new decorative Chateau and Avion Cake Pans- a simple cake batter can become an instant party in the right pan. I have both and they’re a great trick for dressing up the holidays without lots of fussy decorating. You can also go with a classic Bundt pan.
Stand Mixer - she’s the workhorse in any baker’s kitchen. If you’re baking a lot, it is the number one tool to make life easier and let the equipment do the heavy lifting. Great for cakes, cookies, bread . . . all of it!
Cake Turner & Decorating Kit - If you or someone you love is into cake baking, these are a couple of things that make a world of difference. A cake turner is the professional baker’s magic trick for getting a smooth finish to the butter cream. A set of decorating tips and piping bags will open up a beautiful world of designs.
Bread Baking Kit - For the baker in your life who wants to bake a great crusty loaf!
A Baking Steel or Cloche, a Brotform Proofing Basket, a Lame for scoring, and a Sourdough Bread Kit!
From The ZoëBakes Store
Brand new merch, plus the SUGAR Tee in my store! My husband, Graham, was a T-shirt designer when we met in Burlington, Vermont in 1986. He’s been designing my website and T-shirts ever since and here are some new Tees, Hoodies and Mugs inspired by baking. He even designed one for my “Extras” subscribers, so we can be Extra together!
Be sure to check out the collection tab!
Mugs (They’re BIG, because that’s how I roll)
Give the gift of being Extra!
Don’t forget you can also gift a paid subscription to my “Extras” Substack. Pair an “I’m Extra!” T-shirt or Mug with the subscription for something fun to slip into their stocking. Come be Extra with me!
Favorite Tools from my Baker Friends
Throughout this year, I shared interviews and recipes from chefs, bakers and authors who I admire. Here are their most-used kitchen tools to inspire your shopping. (Also, click on their names to read their interviews and learn more about them and their books.)
Dorie Greenspan loves the shape of the Tovolo Spatula.
Rose Levy Berenbaum is the queen of using a Kitchen Scale (worth mentioning twice) and was one of the first cookbook authors to have weights in her books. Rose also developed the Thermapen One and her latest invention, the Reduction Spatula (great stocking stuffer).
David Lebovitz is a big fan of the time-saving tool, New Metro Beater Blade, which is a Rubber-edged Paddle for a stand mixer.
Molly Yeh is known for her adorable cakes, so it makes total sense she’d love an Offset Spatula to make the job of decorating easier.
The sisters, Alia and Radwa, of Pretty Delicious love a Veggie Chopper and Air Fryer for quick, easy and delicious cooking.
Paola Velez’s favorite tool was the most unexpected and simple, a Japanese Can Opener, which I am now obsessed with as well.
Victoria Granof is a woman after my own heart, I just love her baking and we both share a love of our Danish Dough Whisk!
Cookbooks
Zoë Bakes Cakes - I will Sign & Personalize copies for anyone on your list or you can get them on SALE TODAY at certain outlets. Check here for all sellers!
Zoë Bakes Cookies - I will Sign & Personalize copies for anyone on your list or you can get them on SALE TODAY at certain outlets. Check here for all sellers!
100 Afternoon Sweets or Holiday Baking Deck (great stocking stuffer) by Sarah Kieffer
Dorie’s Anytime Cakes by Dorie Greenspan - Dorie is always a win for the baker in your life.
Ready for Dessert by David Lebovitz - love this new, expanded edition of his classic book.
The Cake Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum - The ultimate guide to cake by the Queen of baking science and wisdom.
See my full list of picks, these are just some of the newest to come out!
On My Wish List
Do more BAKING TRAVEL TOURS with YOU! Stay tuned for my Paris recap and more baking adventures I have in the works! If you could choose a baking destination for a future tour, where would you go?
And I’d love a vintage copper Charlotte mold - I saw one in Paris and regret not buying it. Another reason to go back!
Thanks for the shout-out to the mixer blade (and my book)
: )
Thank you so much for the lovely praise of me and my book! Happy Thanksgiving ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🌹