If you know someone who is an avid baker (or who wants to be), it’s a great idea to get them a baking-supportive gift for the holidays — and not just because you might benefit deliciously from their hobby! However, if you’re not a culinarian yourself, it can be a little intimidating to figure out what to get the baker who has everything.

That’s why we rolled up our sleeves and set our team of food and nutrition experts to the task of testing hundreds of items and scouring the best among them for what could suit every type of baker on your list. So, whether you’re shopping for a new-to-baking hobbyist or an experienced pro, a pastry princess or a sourdough king, or a baker with a specialty diet or health condition, there’s something on this list for everyone. Not only are these high-quality gifts loved by industry pros, but they’ll be beloved by whoever receives them — and possibly even keep you on the nice list.

Bakeware Gifts

If you’ve ever wondered how bakers achieve those intricately molded and decorated small cakes, let us introduce you to the cakelet pan, and specifically this holiday option from Le Creuset. The nonstick surface ensures the design is baked in but never sticks, and it’s lightweight and easy to handle without feeling flimsy. “This is a cute cakelet plan,” says editorial director Simone Scully. “Admittedly, it's the first one I've cooked with, but it makes some really cute, seasonal cakelets that come out of the pan very easily (with minimal oil).” If you have any friends who are interested in holiday whimsy-inspired baking, this is a great little gift to send their way, along with some fun sprinkles or a cake mix.

Pies are not just for fall holidays and summer stone fruit; they’re a truly underrated year-round treat, and with this adorable pie dish from Noon & Moon, they can be served up with a side of aesthetics. We love the dark cherry color, evocative of some of our favorite pie flavors, and the scalloped edge is just begging to hold up a cute, crimped pie crust edge. “It's pretty enough to bring straight to the table, and I'd enjoy bringing this over to a friend's house,” said Scully. “It's a practical, fun gift for a baker who loves making pies.” We love this for a friend, sister, or anyone who has a special place in their heart for pie-baking.

Some gifts are for novelty but others can have a more serious tone, maybe they’re more niche or in some cases, they’re a gift that is given with the intention of long-term use and the memories made over decades. Hestan products are known for providing top-tier performance stainless steel, but made in an elegant design laced with French flair, something that continues through this 9-piece baking set.

You may think that the price point is steep, but Scully says, “This set comes with everything you’d ever really need as a baker: Half Sheet Pan with Rack, Quarter Sheet Pan with Rack, Square and Rectangular Bakers, and 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set.” She adds, “These are, truly, the most beautiful stainless steel baking pans and sheets I have ever seen in my life. The stainless steel is stunning, and each pan is well-made and durable. There's a weight to these — they're not flimsy, so it would be hard to dent them. And they all have some very nice, thick handles on the sides. You can just tell that they meant it when they said it was meant to last a lifetime: these are easily the kinds of pans you could pass down as a family heirloom.”

Stainless steel is not as commonplace in baking as you might think, despite its durability, with most home bakeware featuring some kind of nonstick coating. However, whether your gift recipient is an All-Clad brand loyalist or just obsessed with stainless steel in the kitchen, this set is well made, beautiful, and it will last forever. The set includes a quarter sheet pan, a half sheet pan, a square baker, a rectangular baker, and a cooling rack, all made from tri-ply construction stainless steel with an aluminum core. “While it’s an investment, it will last forever, and looks quite beautiful in your cabinets,” says Tuttle. “It’s more durable than nonstick while still being attractive.” The price tag does make it a significant splurge, but this set can easily become a family heirloom, and you can’t put a price tag on that.

For your favorite Disney adult who fancies themselves a pastry chef, the collaboration between Great Jones and Disney is the perfect niche gift option. This set includes two baking sheets in different sizes (a half sheet and a quarter sheet) and coordinating baking mats, complete with adorable images of Remy and Emile from Disney’s beloved Ratatouille movie. The mats serve as reusable alternatives to parchment paper. “I am always running out of parchment paper when baking and these cute mats save the day,” says Scully. “They clean easily, they’re dishwasher safe, they hold up well, and, best of all, my 6-year-old son loves them.”

Dutch ovens are such an incredible tool for bread making; they can tackle everything from a full boule to dinner rolls, and the even heat retention delivers a stable bake. On top of all of that, cooking with the lid on or off allows you to control crust formation, making it a favorite tool among bakers who specialize in bread. The cast-iron Smithey Dutch Oven elevates the Dutch oven experience with its beautiful polish, coppery finish, and thoughtful details. “You don’t have to worry about chipping, cracking, or flaking, and you can use it over all kinds of heat sources, even open flame,” says Tuttle. The quality and aesthetic are undeniable, making it a great gift for someone who values things like beauty, longevity, and craftsmanship.

Nothing is worse than a disorganized drawer full of bakeware — but that’s a problem this Larder & Vine Baking Set can help with. Ideal for smallish bakes and small spaces, all eight pieces in this set nest into a 10x15-inch footprint for storage. The set, which comes in several fun colors, includes two baking sheets, a loaf pan, two muffin tins, a round cake pan, a square cake pan, and a deep roasting pan. “This set is pretty, tidy, and super easy to clean,” says editorial director Simone Scully, after she baked some muffins with her lavender-colored set.

Cast-iron pans are truly the gift that keeps on giving (sometimes for generations!). Not only are they incredibly effective for baking, thanks to their even heating and heat retention, but they’re also very versatile. You can use them in the oven, on your stovetop, or even over an open flame for a rustic baking experience. And that’s why we love the No. 10 Skillet from Lancaster Cast Iron. “It will last a lifetime, or two lifetimes, it seems,” says Amy Sowder, a veteran food and health journalist, who tested this for us. “It’s useful and sturdy and I like how it has a bigger surface area for cooking compared to others I’ve tried.” This American-made skillet will please any baker who loves making cornbread or a deep-dish pie, or wants to take it on a camping trip.

If your loved one is a fan of cobblers or bread puddings, chances are they’d love a baking dish that’s pretty enough to go right to the serving area, and this porcelain dish from Villeroy & Boch fits the bill. That’s why we’d give this to our favorite host or hostess — or whoever usually handles the holiday cooking and baking. “This baking dish is very multifunctional: Bake in the oven, serve at the table, then store leftovers in the same dish,” says Katie Tuttle, our food editor, who gave this dish a try. “It’s practical and has a nice, minimalist vibe.”

Skip the “forever chemicals” like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and give a full Caraway bakeware set instead! “It’s quite pretty, coming in an array of cheery colors, [and it] comes with its own storage with magnetic closures, so you can stow these away without worrying about scratching the nonstick coating,” says Tuttle, who tested this set. “This would be a splurge-worthy holiday gift, the sort of gift they wouldn’t get themselves but would love to receive from someone else.” And if you’re not sure you want to get a full set, you can also give the half set or the mini set, which feature fewer items but still have the same look and functionality.

Sometimes baking skills really can be utilized to make life easier in the day-to-day, whether that’s preparing a pumpkin oatmeal bake for easy fiber intake at breakfast or a baked egg dish, and the Bentgo 18-piece set is a great fit for this approach. The Bentgo containers are glass, not plastic, and they are safe for use in the oven, microwave, dishwasher, and freezer — though do be cautious about moving between temperature extremes too quickly. This set makes it easy to take a breakfast bake straight from the oven to the fridge, sealing it with the matching lid, for a quick grab-and-go meal on the way to work or school. “I plan on investing in more to replace all of my plastic storage,” says editor and tester Ashley Zeigler. “The products are smartly designed and high quality, and you really do get a lot of products for the price.” Pair it with a favorite meal-prep cookbook for your favorite busy, health-focused baker.

It takes a special baker with nerves of steel to tackle mini cakes in a detailed pan like this holiday stunner from Nordic Ware, but for the baker you know who loves an intricate treat, this pan is well worth braving the turn-out process. Editor and tester Kate Tuttle says, “I was careful to prep [the pan] according to instructions,” and her cakes turned out even better than expected. Whether these cakelets get a fun, detailed icing on top or a simple dust of powdered sugar, they’re sure to wow, and the novelty baker in your life will absolutely love this. Pair it with some new utensils for a fun and thoughtful holiday gift.

Being able to make your own donuts at home is a real treat, and this two-piece set of nonstick carbon steel pans lets you make the iconic round donut shape without the hassle and mess of frying them in oil. Durable and easy to clean, these pans are both scratch resistant and dishwasher safe. The set includes molds for two donut sizes: six larger donuts or a dozen minis in a single batch. The nonstick surface ensures you won’t have any stickage to worry about, so your donuts come out perfectly round and ready to dip or roll in your favorite glazes and toppings. Snag some cute sprinkles or a cake mix for a fun gift set.

Appliance Gifts

The KitchenAid Stand Mixer just might be the quintessential tool for a home baker to own, and if you have someone in your life who either doesn’t own one or whose mixer setup needs an upgrade, there’s truly no better gift. I personally prefer the 5-quart artisan series as it’s a touch larger than the 4.5 quart option and comes in an array of super fun colors—I’m partial to fun and punchy colors like Matcha but I won’t hold it against you if you prefer something more neutral and there’s lots to choose from. Not only can this powerful machine handle any mixing tasks you throw its way, you also have the world of stand mixer attachments at your fingertips with spiralizers, meat grinders, pasta makers and more to get the creativity flowing. “There’s a reason KitchenAid Stand Mixers are so popular,” says Scully after testing one for us this season. “They truly are beautiful, practical, and powerful — and a gift everyone would be happy to unwrap.”

While it is certainly an off-the-charts splurge of a gift, the Anova Precision Oven 2.0 is truly an incredible gift for your favorite baker, especially if they’re into baking bread. Not only is this oven functional for day-to-day cooking, but it also has a food recognition feature that identifies what you have inserted via its internal camera so that it can suggest a cooking option. Fancy, right? And if you’re baking bread, one of the best features is its steam baking — very rare in a home oven, but absolutely necessary for getting the crust you know and love on your favorite breads.

It is also very easy and intuitive to use, according to editor Lili Ladaga, because you can connect it to the app and control everything from there (as well as check cooking progress through that oven camera). Just keep in mind that it does take up quite a bit of counter space, with its 20-inch depth and 23-inch width, so be wary of gifting it to someone unless they can house it.

This blender from Thyme & Table is the perfect visual addition to any kitchen, with neutral colors like sand white, slate grey, or Atlantic blue, and a subtle nod to retro style in the fluted glass pitcher. Whether the baker you give this to uses it to whip up silky smooth purees or a smoothie to fuel their baking, this blender will do the trick with its 57-ounce main pitcher and smaller, more portable 25-ounce blending cup, complete with lid and straw. “I love that it’s an affordable option that comes with a travel smoothie cup you can blend straight into,” says writer and tester Riley Blanton, MS, LMFT.

The ultimate piece of baking equipment is absolutely the stand mixer. It makes it easy to knead doughs for lengthy periods of time, whip up meringues in a flash, or gently combine ingredients for a tender cake batter. And the GE Profile Smartmixer+ with Autosense is takes it up a notch. called it “ It's sleek and fancy,” said Beale. It has a built-in digital scale so you can measure directly from the mixer using the bowl for precise measurements, and a high-powered motor that is advertised to run at a low temperature to help extend the life of the motor, even when running at a high speed. But the best part? It has auto-sense technology, which gives feedback based on the texture or viscosity of the items being mixed, and will adjust accordingly and turn off to avoid overmixing. This makes it ideal for serious bakers who may bake multiple things at once.

Kitchen Gifts

When it comes to sentimental gifts for those who cook, nothing is quite as meaningful as enshrining favorite recipes in a way that they can stay present with you in the kitchen at all times. This is why we love the printed recipe towel from The Printed Gift. Not only does it capture the recipe itself, but the company can also capture the handwriting in which it was originally written. “In my case, I had sent some recipes my mom had written down, so this item became a way to remember her and her cooking,” says Scully.

The process is surprisingly quick and easy, too. Simply send in a photo of the recipe you want printed, and then approve the proof sent to you before printing. “It all happened very quickly,” says Scully, “no long delays in creating this.”

This gift is perfect for sharing those special recipes with family and for remembering the foods and people that bring us together.

We understand that furniture might feel like an extreme gift but hear us out – this cabinet is an incredible option for someone you’re close with who really needs the extra dry storage space for their baking addiction. “This is a really fun, colorful, whimsical gift for a kitchen or dining room,” says Scully. “The glass means you can see the outline of what's inside without it feeling too "showy". I put mine in my kitchen to store my mixer and other kitchen appliances I don't have room for on my countertop but also don't want to completely hide away. The colors also make it fun. Yes, you can get a standard black or white, but the colors really do make it special,”. You can also order paint samples to ensure it’s an aesthetically pleasing choice for the space and just adore this as a blowout gift of the season that will be remembered for years to come.

While knives aren’t something you necessarily associate with the equipment required for baking, a good bread knife can make or break your loaf, cake, etc., when it comes to serving. For the baker who is fully outfitted for the actual baking, give them this incredibly beautiful and luxurious knife for serving up their goods. An absolute favorite in testing, Scully said, “These are, quite simply, the most gorgeous knives I have ever seen. First, there is the handle, which is made of burlwood that has been processed and treated to create a shiny, natural-looking handle, while the knife itself is forged of carbon steel with traditional forging techniques. Each knife is also made by hand, which I really appreciated. The knives themselves are very sharp (and the brand says they'll sharpen them for you for life) and very durable. They are darker than stainless steel knives and will develop a natural patina over time, but that gives them some character. The handles are also all slightly different, too, because of the burlwood.” Suffice to say, they check both boxes for style and substance, and if you’re in a splurging kind of mood, they could make an incredible gift.

For whipping up egg whites and folding them in with serious style, you cannot beat this stunning set of utensils from Hestan. Renowned for their functional stainless steel and classic styling, this set is perfect for anyone creating an idyllic kitchen a la your favorite romantic comedy, but where serious cooking is actually done. The set includes eight different chef’s tools, including a ladle, solid spoon, slotted spoon, pasta fork, solid turner, fish spatula, and French whisk, all nestled in a porcelain bain marie. Tuttle says, “In two words: it's beautiful. The tools are heavy and well-made. The porcelain bain marie is a very nice touch as well. It's also a very complete set — so it's gorgeous and useful.”

All culinary pursuits should be supported by a good set of knives—yes, even baking. This knife set from Zline includes the three most commonly reached-for knives in any kitchen, making them ideal for all cooking, but especially for baking. The 8-inch chef’s knife is great for all-around tasks like chopping and dicing, the paring knife handles smaller but no less important jobs like peeling, and the bread knife is not only useful for slicing homemade bread but also for cutting cakes to layer, and even handling certain fruits and veggies. “These knives made me realize how much I needed a replacement. The handles are smooth and sturdy, the blades are sharp (and apparently made using the Japanese Honbazuke honing method—which I learned is a traditional, three-step method to making sharp cutting edges on knives), and they appear to be high quality. It also comes in packaging that makes it a really nice gift,” says Beale. For a three-knife set, they’re also quite reasonably priced, bringing an air of affordable luxury.

More and more people are moving away from plastic given the health risks associated with microplastics, and this glass measuring cup from Great Jones is a beautiful way to do that. It’s available in 2-cup and 4-cup sizes, and comes in either a blueberry/taffy or broccoli/butternut color combo. It’s also both dishwasher and microwave safe, making it perfect for melting and pouring butter or even mixing a cocktail. “Like all Great Jones bakeware and cookware, this measuring cup is very pretty,” says editorial director Scully. “I love that it’s very easy to read the measurements on the side and that it has both milliliters and fluid ounces on the side.”

This glass storage set from Caraway is dishwasher safe, with plastic lids that seal completely airtight. The lids do need to be hand-washed, but they come apart easily for thorough cleaning. Designed to nest and stack in a modular format, the set even includes a sleek storage tray, perfect for keeping your countertop looking stylish and organized. “There’s a lot to like about these,” says Scully. “They’re available with a variety of different lid colors, you can get a 14-piece set or a 28, and the lids really are airtight.” The price point is on the higher end, but we feel they’re definitely splurge-worthy, and a perfect way to outfit your favorite baker’s kitchen with something functional and beautiful.

Baking is often more of a marathon than a sprint, and for your favorite bakers, that can mean more hours on their feet. Give them a bit of a break with these anti-fatigue mats from rugs.com. They come in so many different colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes that there is bound to be an option for any kitchen. Scully gave them a try and kept hers in front of the sink for doing dishes, and found she didn’t get tired as quickly. She noted that the mats recover quickly when something heavy like a stool is placed on them, and that spills and splatters are easy to clean. It may not seem like the most exciting gift, but it’s one your favorite baker (and their feet) will really thank you for once they put it to use.

If you have a baker in your life who is looking for better consistency in their bakes but doesn’t own a good thermometer, the Thermapen One is an excellent option (and is conveniently stocking-stuffer-sized). While it is on the pricey side for a stocking stuffer, it’s a tool they will use day in and day out for all manner of baking — from bread to cupcakes — and even for a quick read on caramel. I love the Therapen One for a few specific reasons: Not only is it super fast and accurate, but I love that the length of the thermometer lets me reach the middle of a large loaf where I really need it. In addition to using it for baking, it’s also great for knowing when my chicken is done or when it’s time to pull my steak off the grill.

Anyone who cooks frequently is probably guilty of, at times, choosing a bowl that’s too small or not quite right for the task at hand, and nothing is more frustrating than washing that extra dish because you had to switch it up. While Hestan is best known for its exceptional stainless steel cookware, these bowls bring that same thoughtful design into the baking world. The set includes 1.5-, 3-, and 4.75-quart options, all made of heavy-gauge stainless steel. Not only can you mix your favorite batter here, but you can also use them to create a double boiler for curds, frostings, melting chocolate, and so much more. You may experience some sticker shock at the price, but “these are the kind of mixing bowls that could quickly become an heirloom gift you hand down for years,” says Scully. “They’re dishwasher safe, heat safe to 500 degrees, and super durable.”

If you’re on a lower budget but still want to give a high-impact gift for your favorite baking enthusiast, we love this digital kitchen scale from KitchenAid. While many casual, American-crafted recipes use volume measures like cups and spoons, if someone wanted to be more precise, bake European recipes, or just wanted to wash fewer dishes, they would absolutely need a kitchen scale. It’s worth noting that the scale only goes up to 11 pounds, but for most home bakers, that shouldn’t be limiting. For a rather low-cost item, it can make a big difference in someone’s baking. “I like that it’s very compact. I also like the knob versus buttons,” says writer and dietitian, Caitlin Beale, MS, RDN, who tested the scale. “It also automatically turns off after a while … so it doesn’t waste batteries.”

Filling your home with the smell of the holidays really does bring that extra dose of festive cheer, and nothing does the job like a charming on-theme candle. This glass candle from Terrain has an adorable, almost Scandinavian gingerbread house aesthetic, a full-blown gingerbread scent, and a cute little size to add to any decorative display. At $22, it’s also really cost effective, but if you want to size up, there are other options from the same brand in varying sizes and scents. Give this candle to your favorite baker who loves getting into the holiday spirit — they’ll enjoy the cozy scent of gingerbread, whether or not they’re baking it themselves.

As a frequent cook and baker, I will never not lean on silicone products for how well they function and how easy they are to clean. These silicone utensils from Le Creuset are a great option to gift to anyone you know who makes a mess in the kitchen but doesn’t relish the cleanup. The set comes with one brush and three spatulas, all outfitted with naturally nonstick silicone heads in multiple shapes that let you get the closest scrape of the batter bowl, and we love that the handles are ergonomic as well. It also comes with the Le Creuset crock in a coordinated, signature color, and you can choose from white, Caribbean, cerise, Marseille, oyster, and peche so you can either go matchy-matchy or complement their existing kitchen color scheme. At $70, it’s a great addition that makes someone’s kitchen pop, offering functionality and easy cleanup.

Mastering pastry comes down not only to the flavors and textures of your dough but also to how thin and even you can get it. Going by eye may work for some, but for those who want a little more help — or just more precision — the Joseph Joseph Precision Pin Rolling Pin is designed to help roll dough to a uniform thickness. The rolling pin comes with a variety of rings that fit the ends, keeping your pin exactly 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 millimeters off your surface, perfect for rolling out everything from cookie dough to pie crust. Rings are color-coded, and the pin comes in a multicolor or sky-blue theme. If you have a pastry lover in your life, whether Grandma is all about pie perfection or your cousin is living for laminated doughs, this pin will help them master their craft and produce a more professional finished product. Use it as a larger stocking stuffer, or combine it with fun cookie cutters or a pie plate to build out a larger gift.

Special Ingredient Gifts

If you’ve never cooked with high-quality spices before, trust us when we say they can take your favorite flavors to a whole new level — and this SpiceWalla Spice Set is an incredible starter pack for building out (or replacing) the basic spices every kitchen needs. SpiceWalla was founded by five-time James Beard–nominated chef Meherwan Irani, who knows that food is the vehicle for connection and quality spices are the foundation of that practice.

“I could smell the spices before I even opened them, and they really were more flavorful,” says Scully. “Plus, the canisters the spices come in are pretty on the shelf. I think this will be my go-to place to get spices going forward.” The 18-piece set makes a stunning gift both visually and functionally, perfect for baking (and cooking) with big flavor.

Honey is an incredible ingredient for baking: You can use it in syrups or bake it into honey cakes, baklava, cookies, cheesecake, and more. And that’s why we love the Bees Knees Honey Gift Set, complete with spicy honey, salted honey, and Meyer lemon honey. “I found myself getting way more creative because I had these honeys in my kitchen,” says Scully, who tried the set. “I put honey on or in things I didn’t expect.” Imagine the possibilities: The salted honey could be an interesting touch in a tarte tatin caramel, the Meyer lemon would complement an olive oil cake, and the spicy honey could really bring some heat to holiday baking.

Coffee may not seem like an essential component for baking, but whether it’s being used to fuel a full day in the kitchen or incorporated into bakes like brownies to deepen the flavors or coffee-forward fillings, this Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker is a baker’s dream. Not only is the Bialetti cost effective, but the smaller sizes are just larger than a coffee mug, making it a space-saving solution. The process of making espresso in this little machine is also incredibly simple, requires no additional equipment like many countertop espresso machines, and produces a fabulous result in just a few minutes. Growing up, I watched my Italian cousins use this coffee maker, and I was absolutely fascinated by it; today, it’s a staple in my own kitchen, and I routinely give them as gifts myself. At just around $30, they’re great as a stocking stuffer or smaller item you can pair with a nice bag of espresso to create a thoughtful set.

Gifts for Bakers Who Want To Learn New Skills

While a lot of kids' cookbooks are simply regular cookbooks that have “kid-friendly” recipes in them, this book from blogger Mardi Michels is a bit different. Having served as a children’s cooking instructor, Michels is uniquely suited to the task imparting cooking skills in an engaging way for kids, meanwhile supporting the parents and caregivers who need the lessons to be manageable.

“As someone who spent my entire childhood in France (from age 4 to high school graduation), it's easy for me to get nostalgic about growing up there — but I also tend to be highly critical of cookbooks or books about France that don't feel authentic,” says Scully. “This cookbook is not that — it's a well-written, knowledgeable cookbook written by someone who actually cooks and, as a French teacher, knows how to deal with kids, especially in the kitchen.” Kids can learn techniques like pastry or the beloved creme brulee, and what could be more fun than pretending you’re spending the day in Paris?

For anyone who wants to get their littles into baking while learning and having fun, we love that you can gift a subscription to I’m the Chef Too, a STEM-based, hands-on cooking subscription for kids. “I was looking for a fun way for my 6-year-old and I to start making more things in the kitchen together and this subscription caught my eye because they send you everything you need,” says Scully. This made it so easy to get down to the fun easily. “The recipes are also easy to follow and very kid-friendly, and they go out of their way to try to also teach your kids some cooking and STEM lessons as they work.” You can give a subscription, opt for a gift card, or choose one of their kits to get the little ones you love interested in baking and science. I’m the Chef Too is a great option for aunts and uncles, grandparents, and more to give and share with their favorite kiddos.

Author and baker Daniel Leader pioneered the well-known bakery Bread Alone and teaches “soft-skill baking,” which relies on the senses — essential skills for bakers of nearly any level. “If you like bread as much as I do, this cookbook will definitely capture your imagination,” says Scully. “The photos feel creative and moody and delicious. There’s a variety of recipes in this book from bread, like whole-wheat and sandwich loaves, to desserts like the blood orange–lemon tart, too. I also feel like this book does a great job of walking me through how to make a good sourdough loaf, for example, in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming.”

For your friend who always expresses an interest in baking with sourdough but doesn’t know where to start, this budget-friendly and on-demand class from the bread pros at King Arthur Baking is a really lovely gift. Taught by Amber Eisler, director of the King Arthur Baking School, this class gives a guide to the fundamentals of creating and baking with sourdough. The class includes more than you’d think for $40, with eight video lessons, a downloadable workbook, an equipment checklist, and three additional quick-view skills videos. Any bread beginner can build their own starter and find themselves measuring, mixing, and shaping breads in no time, including one of my all-time-favorite sourdough recipes, the King Arthur sourdough focaccia.

Gifts for Bakers with Special Diets

Vegan baking can be a real hit or miss experience, and if you’re tired of eating your coworker’s experimental baked goods, give them the gift of vegan baking done well with Voila Vegan. Scully, who lived in France for 13 years and worked in a French patisserie, recommends the book not only for its practical elements in teaching how to make certain substitutions or use certain equipment, but also relayed that the author “does a good job at capturing France in a way that doesn’t feel fake or inauthentic.” The photography also happens to be stunning, and the book is a good fit for any experience level, making it a fabulous gift for anyone you know who’s interested in plant-based baking.

Allergen-free is not always synonymous with award-winning, but The Elements of Baking has been recognized with several honors, including a nomination for the 2025 James Beard Foundation Media Awards in baking and desserts. The author, Katarina Cermelj, has a PhD in inorganic chemistry, and she focuses on the science behind baking and how to manipulate ingredients to make it work with various ingredient restrictions, specifically gluten, dairy, and eggs. Her ever-delicious recipes do not shy away from challenging bakes, like gluten-free vegan cinnamon rolls and egg-free lemon swirl cheesecake bars. In my experience working with it, the recipes are a delightful mix of fun food and culinary education, perfect for any baker who wants to master the art of allergen-friendly baking.

Make no mistake — the bakes in this book are just as sweet and tasty as any of your favorite conventional bakes. But for those looking to prioritize natural sugars over those that are refined, and avoid gluten and dairy, this book will be a breath of fresh air. I love that Bakerita has more than 100 recipes that represent a really functional mix of items from breakfast all the way through savory items and, of course, desserts, all made with easy-to-locate ingredients. Author Rachel Conners is also the mastermind behind the Bakerita blog, which specializes in gluten-free, paleo, and vegan desserts. Not only does the book make sense for someone following these diets, but it also makes a great gift for someone who likes to host, making it easier for them to accommodate the needs of guests.

As a dietitian, one of the most common complaints I hear from gluten-free folks is how much they miss bread, and store-bought simply doesn’t cut the mustard. For home bakers, using The Art of Gluten-Free Bread cookbook is a straightforward solution to navigating this gap. The book is authored by recipe developer, food blogger, and three-time James Beard Award finalist Aran Goyoaga. Not only does she give away her secrets to mastering the loaf, but your gluten-free friends will delight in guidance on everything from making gluten-free starter to enriched loaves like panettone and challah, to yeasted breads and even flatbreads like pizza dough and naan. I really love how prolific and broad-ranging the recipes are; this book doesn’t skip any of the bread products a gluten-free baker might want to learn to bake and would almost certainly want to eat. Consider making this an early gift so you can enjoy some of the spoils over the holidays, too.

For those who are just starting out with a gluten-free diet, or who may just be starting out baking but need to stay gluten-free, this gift set of various baking mixes with a King Arthur tote is a really special option. Finding gifts for specialty diets is hard enough, and making them feel festive is another challenge entirely. This gift set takes the guesswork out of both and includes six different gluten-free mixes for staple items like brownies and sugar cookies, as well as festive favorites like gingerbread and pie crust, just to name a few. King Arthur never misses in helping you create incredible baked goods, and the tote is a fun addition, ideal for carrying your baked goods (or your farmers market haul) off to share.

How We Chose the Best Gifts for Bakers

After testing literally hundreds of products over the past few months and taking a deep dive into our “Best of” lists, we filled our gift guides with products that are beloved by our expert testing team. We have tested products across categories ranging from fitness equipment and apparel to skin-care products, meal delivery services, kitchen equipment, and cookbooks. Individual items have been thoroughly researched or put through rigorous testing by our experts before we determined which ones were worth recommending. If our picky pros find these products worth gifting, we know you will too.

Why Trust Everyday Health

We independently investigate and recommend products and services we believe will enrich the lives of our readers and meet their specific needs. You can trust our reviews because we do the legwork for you. Read more about why you can trust us.

Tori Martinet, MS, RD

Author

Tori Martinet is an Intuitive Eating dietitian, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer based in Southern California. She received a master's degree in nutrition from Columbia University Teachers College and spent nearly a decade as the director of wellness and sustainability for a premier food service contractor based in New York City. In her time there she crafted wellness and sustainability programming for clients like Google, Citigroup, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harvard Business School, and the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament.

She has been a dietitian for nearly 10 years and currently works in private practice, dedicated to helping people pursue health without restriction and dieting. She also writes freelance food and nutrition content and has been featured in publications like Eating Well, Food & Wine, Shape, The Spruce Eats, U.S. News 360 Reviews, Verywell Health, and many more.

See full bio

Katie Tuttle

Editor

Katie Tuttle is an editor and writer specializing in food, nutrition, and product testing. Her work has appeared in EatingWell, Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, and Real Simple. She has written about meal kits, kitchen tools, fitness, and wellness, and has tested and reviewed a wide range of products, with a particular focus on meal delivery services and their impact on nutrition and convenience.

Beyond food, Katie has covered fitness and wellness topics, drawing from her own experience as a powerlifter and an occasional runner. She’s always interested in how products and services can make healthy living more accessible and practical.

When she’s not researching or writing, Katie is usually surrounded by houseplants or spending time with a foster dog. She firmly believes there’s no such thing as too many books or too much coffee.

See full bio