These gifts will bring a smile, and will make the holiday sweeter for the baker on your list!
Seasons Greetings, friends! It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving 2020 is now a memory. I hope you all were able to celebrate or at least dine accordingly. Ours was quieter than usual with just two people and three little dogs begging under the table, but it was meaningful all the same.
December is almost here, and I’m so ready for all things Christmas! In the spirit of the giving season, I decided to put together a gift guide of some of my favorite things. There’s a mix of practical items, tools, and some fun things, too! Or, if you’re more into making homemade gifts this year, be sure to check out my Holiday Flipbook embedded at the end of this post. It has lots of my holiday recipes from seasons past all in one place (with clickable links!)
Please note that this post is not sponsored, but contains affiliate links. I only recommend products and services that I’ve had the chance to use personally, or that I think will be beneficial to the readers of Sprinkle Bakes. Now – on to the shopping!
1. Mixing Bowls: There’s a reason why big-name baking brands such as Food52 and King Arthur Baking love Mason Cash bowls. They’re sturdy but not too heavy, easy to grip thanks to the signature pattern on the outside of the bowl, and have a wide opening like the mixing bowls from days of yore. That is to say, your biscuit-making grandmother would love this bowl. I have the 11.75-inch in turquoise, but white goes with everything.
2. Bundt Pans: I have so many of these, but there’s always room for one more! Nordic Ware pans are sturdy, durable, and have a nonstick finish that promotes clean removal. There are so many artful designs to choose from, but this year I’d love to add Brilliance to my own collection, and you can never go wrong with the classic Anniversary Bundt ® pan.
3. Cast Iron Skillet: The cast iron skillet I use for everything –cornbread, cinnamon rolls, biscuits, home fries, hash, and skillet cookies, to name a few – is a 10-inch Lodge for under $25 at most retailers (and less than $15 at the following link!). Don’t be fooled by fancy brands with big price tags. I’ve tried them and I speak from some considerable experience as a cast iron user and southerner, this one is hard-working and, in my opinion, the gold standard for cast iron cooking.
4. Pie Dish: Every studied pie maker can instantly recognize the beautiful ruffled profile of an Emile Henry pie dish. It’s made from Burgundian clay which heats evenly for uniform baking and browning. It’s crafted in France, and the design hasn’t changed since the early 1900’s. The ruffled edge makes it easy for beginner bakers to get a pretty ruffled pie edge with very little work. These dishes have a real heirloom quality and with a little care, could possibly be handed down for generations.
5. Stand Mixer: This is the gift for the baker who doesn’t have everything. It’s an investment, but it’s a total workhorse and the most important tool I have in the kitchen (aside from my own hands). If I didn’t already have a red KitchenAid mixer, I’d get this limited edition Queen Of Hearts version. It is beautiful, oh-so-shiny, and currently a very good deal.
6. Rolling pin: Sturdy rolling pins cut and turned from a single piece of wood tend to be a favorite of mine. The beauty is in the simplicity, and this olive wood pin with tapered handles is polished to a fine shine. It’s easy to control, a pleasure to use and a beauty to display.
If you’re ever stumped for a gift, remember that a serving tray is one-size-fits-all.
1. Bake boxes: These sweet-looking pine boxes are perfect for transporting pies, cookies – and more! They’re such a useful gifts, and even better when paired with a pretty spatula or tea towel.
2. Serving tray: This is a handy gift for anyone, but the cake baker in your life will LOVE the cute graphic of an elephant balancing a tiered chocolate cake on its tusks.
3. Large platter: Platters give cookies a place to call home, and this one is sizeable! The sentiment struck me most, and I love the cheerful lettering.
4. Cutting Board: This dual-sided cutting board is a kitchen tool on one side, and a work of art on the other. You’ll want to hang it on your wall when it’s not in use!
5. Acrylic Rectangular Tray: This is a good-sized handled tray that just calls out for cake service! It’s adorably printed pink with a rainbow sprinkle motif.
6. Compote: Compote dishes are the unsung heroes of dessert service. They’re multipurpose and can hold much more than their namesake. Fill this one with whipped cream, or pile it high with colorful macarons. This white footed dish goes with everything and looks so chic.
7. Cake Stand: I can’t say it any better than the seller’s description: “Gorgeous honed white marble floats effortlessly on a sculptural gilded base creating elegant stacked serving for parties, brunch and definitely holidays. Amazing housewarming/host gifts, too.” I will add that I love its modern yet classic look, and it will seat a 9-inch cake.
I’ll have one of each, please.
1. Shower Gel: Philosophy consistently puts out the most enticing sweet-smelling scents, and I want to try them all! This is more than just shower gel. It’s a three-in-one shampoo, bubble bath, and shower gel combined!
2. Baker’s tee: This adorable shirt leaves nothing more to say. I yam what I yam.
3. Recipe box: This is a gift that delights and endures. It’s small enough to not crowd your cupboards, but too pretty to keep hidden! Start the recipient off right with a hand-written recipe of your own, which will add sentimental value to the gift.
4. Dessert-themed cosmetics: With eyeshadow color names like cereal milk, red hots, and cinnamon-sugar, how can you resist? All the colors are sweet-smelling or fragranced with cinnamon.
5. Cute mug: This is a sweet gift to let your favorite baker know how much you care. Consider filling it with a bag of rainbow sprinkles for good measure (wink).
6. Oven mitt set: You can never go wrong giving a baker a set of oven mitts – bonus points if it’s SUPER cute like this Kate Spade trio.
7. Lunch tote: This cool carrier has a subtly lettered message of great importance. Even though I work from home, this carrier is the perfect size for packing snacks for two for a Sunday drive.
Honorable mention – this SUPER sweet sugar molecule necklace!
Evergreen favorites for year-round use!
1. Bench scraper: I don’t think I’ve published a gift round-up that was without this tool. I use it for so many tasks – cutting dough, transferring cakes to cake stands, smoothing buttercream – I find new uses for it all the time! It may not look exciting, but your favorite baker will thank you.
2. Cookie Stamps: These are so much fun! I’ve used them for a couple of years now (see recipe!). They make the most uniform stamped ‘thumbprint’ cookies I’ve ever seen! They are plastic, but firm and sturdy and will last a long time with proper care.
3. Cookie Scoop: I’ve linked this cookie scoop so many times in previous blog posts, I’ve lost count. It’s my go-to for scooping cookie dough, but I also use it to make big, beautiful chocolate truffles (and bourbon balls!).
4. Food Color: Giving a baker a box of pretty food colors is like giving an artist a new set of paints. I love these vibrant Chefmaster colors, and have a supply of my own. If your baker is a purist, then they also make a set of .
5. Kitchen soaps: I once was an avid fan of Williams-Sonoma HUGE bars of kitchen soap back in the 90’s. I was young and without a decent kitchen then, but I still loved the scent of their Kitchen Lemon bar. It made my dismal apartment kitchen feel fancy. This Meyer Lemon scented set is a recent favorite that reminds me so much of that beloved bar. Lasts as long time!
6. Dish towels: I’m fairly certain that no one needs any help picking out pretty dish towels. They are at every home goods store in plentiful supply. But I’m linking this one because I’m obsessed with Meyer lemons and this makes a nice pairing with the previously linked Meyer lemon soap caddy.
7. Pie edge molds: Okay, this is a fun one. This tool instantly transforms ordinary pie dough into beautifully sculpted edging for your pies. I have a set very similar to this one, and I find myself using it for all my pies!
8. Pastry brush: Where would bakers be without the humble pastry brush? I’ll tell you where – standing in front of some sad, pale pastries! Ha! Look for natural boar’s hair bristle brushes like this one, when you’re buying. The bristles are soft enough to glide over cakes and pastries without tearing or pocking their surfaces.
homemade gifts are the best gifts (it’s true) so I’ve compiled a flipbook of my favorite holiday recipes! Who doesn’t love getting a batch of cookies? I mean, it’s Santa’s favorite gift, which is really saying something.
Have a look! (Click fullscreen in the center for easiest viewing.) And if you see something you like, click the link symbol on the picture to go to the recipe. Enjoy! -xo, h
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By Published: Sunday, November 29, 2020Sunday, November 29, 2020
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