Sometimes it's difficult to come up with the best gifts for home bakers, especially if you don't bake. But we've come up with 10 handy ones that will have your home baker ecstatic. We've made sure that there are gifts in all price ranges. So don't worry! You can select a gift or gifts that won't break your budget. These special gifts will have your home baker dying to get back into the kitchen to try out the present. Believe me, there is nothing better than having the right tools to get those cakes, cookies, bread, and any other goodie done in record time.
The gifts we've picked out are ones that we have or wish we did. We'll be making three more gift guides -- we certainly don't want anyone to feel left out. ???? So think of us as your helpful elves pointing you in the right gift-giving direction.
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Best Gifts for home bakers
The following gifts are handy tools in the kitchen that can go beyond just baking. We know you'll find the gift guide helpful.
Years ago we bought a digital scale and found that we couldn't do without it. It was a 35th anniversary present for the two of us. I know, romantic souls, aren't we. We were in a kitchen shop in Naples, Florida and when we saw it, we knew we had to have it. Digital scales in those days were a lot more expensive, but we splurged and bought it. We weigh everything rather than depending on measuring cups. This digital scale is easy to use, and you can go from ounces to grams, and pounds. The scale also measures liquids.
Another great gift for home bakers is different size mixing bowls. It's amazing how many you can go through when you're creating goodies in the kitchen. Whether you're bread baking or making cakes and cookies, different size bowls will be a boon. We picked the Pyrex bowls because you can also bake in them. How handy is that? You want to warm something, just stick that bowl in the oven. Pyrex bowls have been around for many years; I bet your mom or grandmother even had some. We would highly recommend them.
And what would a home baker do without a dependable mixer? Let me tell you we've had several Kitchen Aid mixers and we love them. The first one we bought had attachments included with the mixer. When the mixer wore out, we purchased another Kitchen Aid only with more capacity. The meat grinder, slicer, and pasta maker are fantastic. Our Kitchen-Aid has mixed lots of dough for many loaves of bread. It's a regular workhorse. So we would highly recommend the Kitchen-Aid Mixer. If your home baker already has one, how about some of the attachments?
We couldn't do without our nesting prep bowls. They store easily and when we get ready to make anything we measure out the ingredients. It so simple to have everything ready and in order so that a home baker can move quickly from one step to another -- you're ready and don't have to stop to search for an ingredient, measuring spoons, or cups. These bowls aren't handy just for baking but any type of cooking whatsoever. We consider Prep Bowls a kitchen necessity.
Once upon a time we never thought we'd rely on our food processor as much as we do. But just like our mixer, it's a workhorse. We have it out practically every day. We make pasta dough in just a minute, and we also use it to make certain kinds of bread. Yes, the bread turns out just as good in the processor as it does in the mixer or kneading by hand. Pizza dough comes out fantastic. Zip, zip, zip and you're done. When you're using a smaller amount of flour your Food Processor does the job.
Another tool we often use in our kitchen is an Instant Read Thermometer. We got one initially to test the internal temperature of our bread loaves. The color of the crust on the outside doesn't always tell the home baker whether the bread is baked. The thermometer tells you instantly whether it needs to stay a bit longer. But this tool also has other uses. We read the temperature of our meat when we're cooking, and it is invaluable if you're grilling a thick piece of meat or roast. A home baker will love having an Instant Read Thermometer -- no more guessing.
A proofing box is something that I've wanted for a long time. Searching for the perfect warm spot in your house is not easy. We've balked at another piece of equipment in our kitchen because of space. The beauty of this proofing box is that it stores flat. How fantastic is that! Plus you can use it for other purposes such as making yogurt and tempering chocolate. The proofing box is certainly the best gift for a home baker. I have several sourdough starters that need a constant warm temperature. This Proofing Box would be ideal. I hope Santa reads this.
A Sil-Pat baking mat is very practical. In fact, we have three of them. We use them for baking but also for working the dough if it's sticky or "loose." By using the mats, you don't have to add a lot of flour. Use a plastic dough scraper to lift the dough off the non-stick surface and continue to mix. When rolling out the dough, you'll find that it comes up easily from the surface. There are several sizes and styles you can choose. We like this larger size Sil-Pat mat for the bigger cooking trays.
We have several sets of these pans, two for making baguettes and two for thicker Italian bread. The perforated forms help the dough keep their shape as they're rising and baking. I even use the Italian bread form for our wet ciabatta dough. It can rise nicely without spreading out too much. We place our parchment paper on the form, and we slide the dough off from the pans and onto our baking stone. Works like a charm. We would recommend starting off with The Italian Bread form and perhaps later getting the baguette form.
Our kitchen would not be complete without a bread making board. I remember my papà made one for my mamma and she had it for years. I wish I knew what happened to it. It saw countless loaves of bread. When we were first married money was tight, but one item we did invest in was a bread kneading board. The one I have has a plain side and on the other side are common measures plus circles to use for making even round pie dough. I couldn't find one like ours. We believe this Bread Kneading Board is similar other than markings on one side.
We hope you find these suggestions for the best gifts for home bakers helpful. We'll be coming up with three more guides to help you in your Christmas shopping.
Additional Best Gift Ideas
Here are some more best gift ideas we recommend from our blogger friends.
Best Gifts For Coffee Lovers and Tea Lovers Too.
If you want any more suggestions, please be sure to write to us and we'll try to help you out!!
Dee | Grammy's Grid
All good choices!! Thanks so much for linking up at #AThemedLinkup 6 for All Things Christmas. Shared.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Thank you Marisa for linking up with us at the #BloggingGrandmothers End of the Year Link Party 2018! Party ends January 5, links are unlimited so feel free to add more!
Christine
Marisa, we always have to have traditional sage stuffing and in our house we do mashed garlic potatoes and twice baked stuffed potatos with bacon and cheese. Also tradional roasted veggies; brussel sprouts, squash, carrots and parsnips.
Thanks for your giveaway and the gift ideas are a great help.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Christine! Your sides certainly sound yummy!! And I'm glad you found the gift guide helpful!Hope you're having a great weekend.
J
My fav side for Thanksgiving is butternut squash. My Mom kept on scorching it, 1 yr she burnt it and so didn't a sister! So finally I started making it to bring over, cuz sad yr. without it. I went home and made some. Lol. I love sweet potatoes cut up and roasted too. Fruit salads, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce. Last yr was the 1st time I had some green bean casserole...never made it. Of course rolls and succulent turkey. Oh, and dessert! Ok now I'm really getting hungry!????
Yay Marisa, so happy you found a house!
What a generous lady to have a giveaway.
Have a great week!
Marisa Franca
Hi J!! Sounds like you really get into the holiday goodies -- so do we. I remember one former sister-in-law bringing the same green casserole to the family holiday dinners all the time. I haven't had it in quite a while -- I think there are some newer jazzed up versions. All of your suggestions are making us hungry!! Can't wait for Thanksgiving. And we want to thank you for being part of our little family here -- we'll be talking soon. ????
Susie
Hi MARISA,, Every year I ask my family for their favorite Thanksgiving dish or any new Recommendations ....I get the same feedback.....We like all traditional dishes.....They’re the best and most comforting. I always try something new, so I’m thinking about a root roasted side dish.....As for me, I like starting the Thanksgiving feast with butternut squash soup.
We couldn’t be happier and more excited for you and Honey’s new house.....We know from experience, you just want to close on house and start moving so you can get settled....Hang in there!
Marisa Franca
The root roasted dish sounds great!! Good talking to you. Sending lots of love!!
Kathy H
My favorite side is really a combination. It is my grandmas cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy. This is the best combination of all time!!!!
Marisa Franca
That does sound good, Kathy. I'm seeing the family recipe is always the favorite.
Hope Hill
Thanks for all the great gift ideas. My favorite Thanksgiving side is andouille sausage, roasted vegetable and apple stuffing. Thanks for the giveaway!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Hope! You're giving me lots of great ideas for stuffing.
Maria
Florida welcomes you anytime! Best way to keep from havi g to buy 2 wardrobes. Haha!
We would love to see you.
Let's see. My favorite side for Thanksgiving is ...(drum roll in the background) ... dressing with gravy and homemade macaroni and cheese. I dont eat these at any other time of the year so when the holiday rolls around, they are the first items for which I look.
Love you guys!
Maria
Marisa Franca
Hi, Maria! We do miss the warmer weather! And for the holidays it's always good to let go a little or a lot. ????
Debra C.
Oh my goodness, so many great ideas! I'm definitely going to share this with my Santa! Hoping for the sourdough proofing box!
Marisa Franca
Me too, Deb. I'm sure he must have two -- one for each of us.
Jovina Coughlin
Lovely ideas for gifts. Stay warm up there from down here in the warm south.
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Jovina! We are trying!
Barb
Dressing and gravy is my favorite! I don't eat many other sides because I want to eat as much dressing as possible.
Marisa Franca
You're a woman after my own heart, Barb!
Chris
Too many Thanksgiving sides to choose from but we really love pureed sweet potatoes and butternut squash together. The squash offsets the sweet potatoes from being..well, too sweet! 🙂
Marisa Franca
I know what you mean, Chris -- about all the good dishes. We don't like our sweet potatoes too sweet either. Sometimes we sprinkle smoked paprika or chipotle powder over them. We'll have to try the squash and potato together.
Brenda Aschliman
The blog post comment button did not work. I logged in and was not allowed to comment, although it later stated that I had commented. 🙁
Marisa Franca
Hi, Brenda! Sorry, you had a problem with it -- but your comment is here.
Jennifer N.
My favorite side is a dish my mother used to make. We just call it “5 ingredient salad” with pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, mini marshmallows, and sour cream. Similar to an ambrosia. Maybe not great for the waistline, but rich in memories.
My grown children still request this every year.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Jennifer! It sounds delicious and I love to have a tradition like this.
Jane Prive
My favorite side is mashed potatoes!
Marisa Franca
Ahh, YES! Potatoes are always a favorite.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Great gift guide and giveaway! My fav side is potato salad, hubby's is green bean casserole. Shared this post ♥
Marisa Franca
Thank you for sharing, Dee.
Karenann S.
My favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table is stuffing!! I just love any type of stuffing, my favorite being cornbread stuffing with chestnuts!
Marisa Franca
Hi, Karenann! I've never had that combination -- it sounds delicious. My folks always loved chestnuts. We make the Italian sausage stuffing but we'll have to make yours too sometime.
Jeanne Grunert
Great ideas on your list! Any baker would be pleased to receive these gifts at Christmas.
Marisa Franca
Thank you!! I want that proofing box.