Baking Bites’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

Long time readers will know that I used to do a lot of gift guides on Baking Bites. I stopped doing them a few years ago – not because I don’t enjoy doing them, as they are a lot of fun to put together – but because it seemed like there was so much gift guide competition that I wasn’t sure people needed another gift guide. This year, however, I realized that I love to look at gift guides for holiday inspiration and you can never have too many good ideas. After all, if you don’t gift these items for the holidays, there are always birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions on which you can gift them.

Wish List Gifts 

• The Instant Pot is, hands down, the most talked-about kitchen gift of the year. It’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker and five other things all in one. You probably couldn’t have a more versatile appliance in your kitchen. And anyone who doesn’t have one wants one.
• The Bean Envy Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a great item to keep in you kitchen if you’re a coffee-lover. This particular model fills a generous pitcher, for easy pouring, and is lined with silicone on the base so it doesn’t slip around in the fridge.
• I always recommend an ice cream maker, because I love to make ice cream at home. The Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream Maker is an excellent and reasonably priced model, but if you have a Kitchen Aid, you might want to opt for the Kitchen Aid Ice Cream Maker Attachment instead.
• For a splurge, consider the Magimix Food Processor. This heavy duty gadget is both powerful and quiet, and it has attachments for chopping, mixing dough, grating, slicing, blending and whisking. It does it all and I use it more than my stand mixer.
• If your bakeware collection needs a bit of a facelift, Nordic Ware’s Copper-Finish Bakeware Set is so pretty that you might want to leave your pans on the counter. The five-piece set is made of steel, has a nonstick finish and silicone handles that make each piece easy to grip. (At the time of writing this, they’re on sale, too)

Practical Baking Gifts

Do you have a family member whose wish list reads more like a shopping list? There is nothing wrong with practical gifts because they’re gifts that keep on giving all year long. And every baker needs to have these items in his or her kitchen.

• You can’t beat the OXO Good Grips Round Canister Set for utility in the kitchen. The airtight containers come in a set that is ideal for storing dry ingredients. The large one holds a full 5-lb bag of flour, with room to spare, which makes restocking a breeze.
• You can never have too many mixing bowls, even if you use your food processor or stand mixer a lot of the time. A new set of Non-Skid Mixing Bowls is always a welcome gift. This particular set has a nice pour spout for batter and a non-slip handle, as well. They’re perfect for any one–bowl recipes.
• A Pan Organizer is something you need if you – like me and so many others – stack your frying/sautee pans in a pile in a drawer or cabinet. This nifty tool allows you to store them more neatly, preventing the finish or nonstick coating from getting scratched up and making it easier to pull out the pan you need.  And, yes, you can get an organizer for bakeware, too.
• A large Silicone Pastry Mat makes working with pie crust and puff pastry very easy. Not only does the mat come with measurements to guide you as you work with the dough, but you won’t need to use as much flour because your pastry won’t stick to the mat.
• A Personalized Rolling Pin is a gift that is useful, but with a little flair, for a baker who wants to put their stamp on things. Be sure to use the rolling pin with a butter cookie recipe that doesn’t spread too much, so the design comes out clearly after your cookies have baked.

Under $15 Gifts 

I always love ideas for smaller or less expensive gift items during the holidays. Not only are they great stocking stuffers, they’re excellent “add-ons” to larger gifts. For instance, I’ve tied up a spatula with ribbon to enhance the gift wrap on a gift for a fellow foodie. Plus, if you buy them for yourself, you won’t feel too guilty.

• Enamel pins are hot right now, whether you’re pinning them on your favorite denim jacket, canvas tote/backpack or simply collecting them. I’m a big fan of these Cocktail Pins, but have seen everything from Rainbow Swirl Ice Cream to a Stack of Doughnuts to a Black and White Cookie
• You can never have too many potholders and this Eat Cake for Breakfast one is a favorite of mine. Not only do I have a set of these, but I have a matching tote bag.
• A Unicorn Cookie Cutter is a great addition to the cookie cutter collection of a baker who wants to be on trend. Give my Unicorn Sugar Cookies a try once you have one!
• A pair of Cookies & Milk Socks will keep feet toasty – hopefully while the wearer is eating some freshly baked cookies with milk. Socks may not sound like a great gift, but I’m sure that these will put a smile on any face!
• The last item on this list is my upcoming cookbook Perfectly Creamy Frozen Yogurt (which is also available at Barnes & Noble, Walmart and other fine retailers – so ask around!!!), which isn’t coming out until spring, but it’s never too early to get your order in so you can treat yourself in the spring!!

Note: None of these links are affiliate links, in case you were wondering, so shop away without worrying about it. Did you get a great baking gift last year? If so, share it in the comments!!