Gift guide for people who love to bake and cook

Whether you’re looking for a gift for an experienced home baker or chef, or they’re just getting started on their culinary journey, you have to know that whipping up delectable treats in the comfort of your own kitchen is not just a hobby – it’s a lifestyle. With that in mind, I’ve put together the ultimate gift guide for people who love to bake and cook. It’s packed with all the essentials that have helped me go from clueless-in-the-kitchen to did-i-just-make-that! So, what to get a girl or guy who loves baking and cooking? I’ve got some ideas for you

…and if you want to send this list as a helpful nod to friend or spouse or significant other, feel free.

The basics and budget friendly

Stocking stuffers:

• Meat/food thermometer- Temp your breads, your meats, your liquids, your deep frying oil… No one ever thinks about using a meat thermometer for other things other than meat until a recipe asks for “warm water to activate yeast” which needs to be in the 105°F range, or when checking the doneness of a loaf of sourdough bread which needs to be in the 200° range… How will you have an accurate reading without a thermometer? Baking is a science my friends, and accuracy is v. important.

• Stainless steel measuring spoon set– These last forever, the symbols never fade, and the design is perfect for leveling out the ingredient as you pull it out of the box/jar.

• Edible glitter – just as spectacular as it sounds. Food grade sparkles to make it look like you just came back from the Holiday Baking Championship on Food Network.

• Aprons – GET. THE. ONES. WITH. POCKETS. or all the cute styles, some of which you can customize with a name or initials or quote (don’t forget the pockets!)
• Must not forget the vast array of cookie cutters, there are so many fun designs^_^ cookie cutter for the llama lover? Or the country dude? How about the sugary sweet pal? Chances are, they make a cookie cutter for you.

Bigger Presents for people who love to bake and cook

• Sourdough starter – buy an active one that is ready to feed and use (keep in mind shipping and time before they will open it); or a dehydrated one that will take more time to activate but don’t need to worry about it sitting under the tree for weeks. Don’t forget the Sourdough essentials – to go along with it!
• Sourdough starter for beginners kit: Really all you need are a few jars, a special long, skinny jar spatula and a vessel to pour water in. Oh, and a food scale, see below.

• Kitchen/ food scale – Sourdough lovers NEED a kitchen scale, and quite honestly, cooking with a kitchen scale makes everything SO much easier. Just add ingredient and tare it… no need for 74 different sized measuring cups

• For all that time spent working hard in the kitchen, a large water bottle is always nice; Stanley’s are all the rage, but personally Yeti has been good to me for years and I always go back to them.
  

Want to wow someone with a splurge gift!?

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Listen, I said splurge didn’t I? These are fantastic for so many reasons; first of all, what a flex. But also, you can make sourdough bread in this size, along with soups, and stews. Pretty and functional, just like your …car.

Vitamix blender– The holidays may be upon us, but January is for hitting the fitness regimens, and what goes best with a trip to the gym then your own HEALTHY blended smoothie. I also use mine to make soups, grind oats into flour (depending on the model you have) and make healthy blender muffins.

Google hub- or equivalent like the Echo/ Alexa – You don’t know how many times a day I shout at my google hub “HEY GOOGLE, HOW MANY TEASPOONS IN A TABLESPOON”, or “HEY GOOGLE, SET TIMER FOR 25 MINUTES”, or whatever my food related question is, sweet precious google always has an answer for me. Sort of like having a sous chef, but without the opposable thumbs.

Stand Mixer – the best hands free device in the kitchen. Plus the assortment of colors to match the recipients personal style, come on– how perfect!

Honorable mentions:

Aesthetic Kitchen Storage Containers: Keep your pantry Instagram-ready with clear, airtight containers for your flours, sugars, and other baking essentials. It’s all about that #PantryGoals aesthetic.

Baking Classes: Invest in the baking and cooking journey with online or in-person baking classes. Master the art of French macarons, perfect your pie crust, or learn the secrets of pastry artistry.

Cooking classes– check out your local stores like Sur la table for in person classes. SUCH a cute date night idea! Win-win.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no cost to you, just like a free Disney travel agent. I’m only here to make suggestions that hopefully help you!

Am I missing some important gift ideas? Drop them below so others can benefit!