Taste of Home
When it comes to giving to our BFFs, moms, sisters and all around favorite people, it’s always fun to tap into their hobbies to create the perfect gift (even though gift cards are way easier!). Of course, being Taste of Home foodies, we all know a few bakers in our lives. Next holiday or birthday, why not create the perfect gift basket chock full of fun kitchen gizmos, tasty ingredients and useful gear. Here’s how you can assemble one quick and easy.
Step 1: Gather your gear
As cooks and bakers, we know what our baking gal pals want (and need). Fill your baking gift basket with a few useful gadgets—you, know the kind you can never have enough of—like hot pads, dish towels, spatulas and cookbooks. Then sprinkle in a few novel gifties. We love the idea of adding in a favorite ingredient, like your go-to shortcut cake mix or a fancy bottle of vanilla extract.
Here’s what we filled our dream gift basket with:
And if you’re in need of a few ideas for “why didn’t I think of that?” gifts, we’ve got you covered below!
Measuring Flour Sifter
Sifting flour can be a messy business. And
measuring that flour after it's sifted can be a real task, too (you don't want to compact what you just aerated!).
This handy gadget ($23) allows you to sift flour mess-free while measuring as you go.
Why it made our list: It holds up to three cups, which is enough for most recipes.
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Adjustable Rolling Pin
When a pie recipe instructs you to roll out the dough to a quarter inch thick, how often do you actually measure the crust? With
this handy adjustable rolling pin ($20), you can set up guides that help you achieve that perfect thickness for
your next pie (or cutout cookie!).
Why it made our list: Four different disc sizes ensure a perfect crust every time.
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via crateandbarrel.com
When it comes to rolling out
pastry dough or even sugar cookies, it's crucial to keep your dough nice and cool. However, unless you know some fancy trick, it's impossible to get your countertop to stay chilled. Instead, pop
a marble board ($50) into the fridge to make sure your pastry keeps cold while you work.
Why it made our list: This beauty doubles as a charcuterie board, too.
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Pie Crust Cutter
Whoever coined the phrase "easy as pie," certainly never made one! Between
making a good crust, rolling it perfectly thin and then fitting it to size, baking pies can be a tough job. Luckily,
this handy tool ($10) measures and cuts your crust to the perfect size for your pie pan.
Why it made our list: No more patching necessary!
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Tablet and Cookbook Stand
Keep your recipes close at hand with
this adorable handmade stand ($40). Whether you're using a recipe card, your tablet or even your phone, this stand keeps your recipes nearby and easy to read.
Why it made our list: It's completely customizable—and makes a perfect gift.
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Pie Chain
If you've ever
blind baked a pie crust or pastry before, chances are you've relied on a handful of pie weights (or even some dried beans) to keep your dough from bubbling up. Don't risk spilling the beans (or the pie weights for that matter), and opt for
a pie chain ($15) where the weights are all connected for easy use, cleanup and storage.
Why it made our list: It's easier to clean than individual pie weights.
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Adjustable Measuring Cup
When it comes to measuring ingredients like peanut butter and honey, it can seem almost impossible to get the right amount when so much sticks to the inside of the measuring cup.
This handy gizmo ($12), though, lets you adjust the volume while also scraping the sides of the container, so you can be sure you get every smidgen of
peanut butter for your cream pie.
Why it made our list: It's dishwasher safe, too.
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via amazon.com
These tips might not look like much, but their complex cutouts help create stunning and realistic icing flowers.
These tools ($16) are a step up from
basic cake decorating and
simple cupcake decor but are easy to use if you're familiar with basic piping.
Why it made our list: This set is a great bargain for the price.
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via williams-sonoma.com
Whether you're cutting cinnamon rolls or dividing a big batch of cookie dough,
a bench scraper ($10) is a kitchen workhorse. It's the perfect tool for divvying up your baked treats, adding ingredients to the bowl or cleaning scraps off of your work surface. (We also love these
flexible scrapers ($7) for getting every last bit of goodness out of the bowl)!
Why it made our list: Scrapers are effective decorating tools, too! Use 'em to edge frosting and etch dividing lines in cheesecake.
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Hand Pie Press
If you're looking to make
hand-held pies, empanadas or even
pierogi, you're going to want one of
these nifty pie molds ($8 for three). These presses cut out the perfect circle of dough with one side, then flip to stuff and seal.
Why it made our list: This set cuts down on so much work cutting and crimping.
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Cookie Stamps
If you're a fan of shortbread (seriously, who isn't?),
these cookie stamps ($26) just might become your new best friend. Use these
cookie stamps to press a design into your favorite
shortbread recipes to create professional-looking results.
Why it made our list: There are tons of styles to choose from, including
Christmas stamps,
honey bees and
greetings.
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via target.com
Sometimes you want your treats to be exact, and this
silicone pastry mat
($20) includes plenty of measurements, conversions and more. We use it to roll out pie crust, shape scones and divide sweet rolls into equally sized pieces. In a pinch, you can also use a traditional ruler or measuring tape—just make sure it's clean first!
Why it made our list: The silicone surface ensures your dough won't stick when you go to put it in the plate.
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via berndes-cookware.com
If you're running short on storage space, this
sleek whisk ($15) is the perfect solution. It's slender—a stark contrast to standard, bulbous whisks—yet can whisk sauces, curds and custards with ease. Need more space-saving tips? Try these
tiny kitchen ideas.
Why it made our list: This may just be the most unique tool in our kitchen!
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via surlatable.com
Looking to make an Insta-worthy
drip cake? Squeeze bottles can help you get the job done. They're light, pliable and easy to fill. We love this
set of two ($10) etched with convenient measurement amounts.
Why it made our list: You can use them for savory sauces and dressings, too.
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Step 2: Find the right container
While this is of course a gift basket of sorts, don’t limit yourself to packing all these gifts up in a typical basket. Why not find a pretty mixing bowl, canister or cookie jar to hold all those goodies? We chose a pastel mixing bowl from Mason Cash. (Find it here.) Though its patterned exterior makes it pretty enough to display on the counter, it’s durable enough to be put to work in one of our favorite cake recipes.
Step 3: Make it personal
If you’ve got a favorite recipe that your bestie just loves or find one you is right up her alley, why not include a handwritten recipe card? Along with a personal note, your thoughtful creation of the gift basket is sure to be something she’ll treasure.
Love to bake? Tackle these next-level projects.
Taste of Home
The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist the caramel-coated treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Decadent Chocolate Crepe CakeNo other dessert has wowed family and friends the way this stunning crepe cake did the first time I made it. A showstopper in every sense of the word, it features layers of tender chocolate crepes and rich white chocolate buttercream frosting draped in a semisweet chocolate ganache. —Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta
Mini Maple Cinnamon RollsMaple syrup sweetens these lovely little cinnamon buns. I make the dough in my bread machine before popping the rolls in the oven. My husband prefers them warm. —Juanita Carlsen, North Bend, Oregon
BaklavaBaklava is a traditional Middle Eastern pastry made with flaky phyllo dough, chopped nuts and sweet honey. This dessert is very rich, so one pan goes a long way. —Judy Losecco, Buffalo, New York
Chocolate EclairsWith creamy filling and fudgy frosting, this chocolate eclair recipe is extra special. —Jessica Campbell, Viola, Wisconsin
Italian Cream Cheese CakeButtermilk makes every bite of this awesome Italian cream cheese cake recipe moist and flavorful. I rely on this recipe year-round. —Joyce Lutz, Centerview, Missouri
Maple Butter TwistsMy stepmother gave me the recipe for a delicious yeast coffee cake shaped into pretty rings. When I make it for friends, they always ask for seconds. —June Gilliland, Hope, Indiana
Coconut Cheesecake & Rhubarb CompoteI took my daughter’s love of cheesecake plus my mom’s love of coconut and rhubarb and ran with it. Try it with a smidge of chocolate sauce, too. —Wendy Rusch, Trego, Wisconsin
Olive FocacciaWhen I add my own special touches to a basic focaccia recipe—including sun-dried tomatoes, olives and roasted sweet red peppers—the results were simply delectable. The flavorful, chewy loaf makes a wonderful accompaniment to nearly any meal. —Dee Froemel, Hayward, Wisconsin
Cherry DanishThese ruby-studded pastries will be the first to disappear from your brunch table. I won an award when I first made them for a 4-H competition years ago. You can use apple pie filling with equally good results. —Christie Cochran, Canyon, Texas
Best Ever BreadsticksPresent these delicious breadsticks alongside an Italian favorite like lasagna or spaghetti. They're an attractive and edible addition to the table setting! —Carol Wolfer, Lebanon, Oregon
Chocolate BabkaI love this chocolate babka. It's a rewarding recipe for taking the next step in your bread baking. Even if it's slightly imperfect going into the oven, it turns out gorgeous. Look at those swirls! —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Poteca Cake“Rock Springs is home to 56 nationalities, and this recipe showcases its Slavic heritage. It’s one of my favorite ethnic holiday treats.”
—Rachelle Stratton
Rock Springs, Wyoming
Focaccia BareseThis focaccia has been in my mom's family for several generations. It is one of my most-requested recipes whenever I am invited to a party—I am not allowed to attend unless I bring it! —Dora Travaglio, Mount Prospect, Illinois
Dutch Apple CakeMy husband and I came to Canada from Holland more than 40 years ago. This traditional Dutch recipe is a family favorite and has frequently gone along with me to potluck suppers and other get-togethers. —Elizabeth Peters, Martintown, Ontario
Lemon Cream PuffsThe fluffy filling for these light crisp shells has a delectable citrus flavor. —Doreen Martin, Kitimat, British Columbia
Chocolate CannoliWe made two Italian treats into one with beautiful pizzelle cookies wrapped around a rich, chocolaty cannoli filling. The chopped pistachios are a pretty added touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Three-Layer Chocolate Ganache CakeThis decadent triple-layer beauty is pure chocolate indulgence. The cake layers can be frozen prior to final assembly; in fact, they're easier to work with when frozen. —Kathleen Smith, Overland, Missouri
Homemade BagelsI always wanted to make my own bagels, so I searched to find a bagel recipe I could try. For variation and flavor, I sometimes add cinnamon and raisins or honey and sesame seeds to the dough.
German Apple StrudelThis gorgeous strudel has just what you crave this time of year: thin layers of flaky crust and lots of juicy apples. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Homemade ChurrosThese fried cinnamon-sugar homemade churros are best when fresh and hot. Try them with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Don't be surprised if people start dunking...and then go back for more.
Gingersnap Crumb Pear PieThis basic recipe was one my grandmother used for making crumble pies from fresh fruit. She simply substituted oats, gingersnaps or vanilla wafers depending on the fruit. Pear was always my favorite, and I added the ginger and caramel to give it a new twist. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Swiss Cheese BreadThis bread will receive rave reviews, whether you serve it as an appetizer or with a meal. For real convenience, you can make it ahead of time and freeze it! —Karla Boice, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Bee Sting CakeThe bee sting cake, or
bienenstich, may look daunting, but it's well worth the effort. Take the steps one at a time and you'll be surprised how easy it is to make. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sage & Gruyere Sourdough BreadA sourdough starter gives loaves extra flavor and helps the rising process. This bread, with sage and Gruyere cheese, comes out so well that I’m thrilled to share it. —Debra Kramer, Boca Raton, Florida
Minted Chocolate TorteOur family has enjoyed this remarkable layered cake for years. It's a favorite for many occasions. —Barbara Humiston, Tampa, Florida
Soft Giant PretzelsMy husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado
Lemon Chiffon CakeThis moist, airy lemon chiffon cake was my dad's favorite. Mom revamped the original recipe to include lemons. I'm not much of a baker, but whenever I make this dessert my family is thrilled! —Trisha Kammers, Clarkston, Washington
Baklava CheesecakeMy unique baklava cheesecake makes a grand display for office parties and other special events. —Aryanna Gamble, New Orleans, Louisiana
Lemon Ricotta FrittersThese mouthwatering fritters are golden brown outside, soft and cakelike inside, and have a lovely citrusy and creamy flavor from the classic duo: lemon ricotta. Fritters are great served warm with jam or honey. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Unicorn CakeThis magical unicorn cake tastes as good as it looks. Baking in smaller pans creates impressive height, and a few simple decorating tricks turn it into a showstopping dessert. —Lauren Knoelke, Des Moines, Iowa
Hungarian Nut RollsIt isn't officially the holidays until I've made this treasured nut roll recipe from my husband's grandmother. The apple-walnut filling is moist, subtly sweet and flavorful. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
Rainbow CookiesI always bake these cookies two weeks ahead. That allows enough time for mellowing, leaving them moist and full of almond flavor. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Maple Nut Coffee CakeEvery time I make this coffee cake for the holidays or church functions, the pan is emptied in a hurry. People rave about it. —Rosadene Herold, Lakeville, Indiana
Cinnamon Twirl Roly-PolyMy whole house smells incredible when this cake is in the oven. Change it up with other extracts—maple is heavenly. —Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York
Pumpkin Pan RollsServe these spicy-sweet pumpkin rolls for dinner—or at any time of day–and get ready to hear a chorus of yums in your kitchen! —Linnea Rein, Topeka, Kansas
Strawberry Rhubarb PieWhile growing up on a farm, I often ate rhubarb, so it's natural for me to use it in a pie. I prefer to use lard for the flaky pie crust and thin red rhubarb stalks for the filling. These two little secrets helped this strawberry rhubarb pie recipe win top honors at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. —Marianne Carlson, Jefferson, Iowa
Chocolate-Raspberry Whoopie PiesI’ve saved this jam-filled whoopie pie recipe for years after cutting it out of a newspaper. It’s one of my grandson's personal favorites. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Italian Ricotta Easter BreadI changed our family's traditional Easter bread by adding ricotta and a few other ingredients. The almond flavoring works wonders! — Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel CremeI made these for an office party cookie contest—not a crumb was left on the platter! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Lemon Ricotta CakeThis lemon ricotta cake recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
Slow-Cooker Peach CrumbleI look forward to going on our beach vacation every year, but I don't always relish the time spent cooking for everybody. This slow-cooker dessert (or breakfast!) gives me more time to lie in the sun and enjoy the waves. Melty ice cream is a must. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Dulce de Leche CheesecakeI'm originally from Paraguay, and dulce de leche reminds me of where I came from. If you can't find it at your grocery store, try caramel ice cream topping instead. It tastes different, but this decadent dessert will still be amazing. —Sonia Lipham, Ranburne, Alabama
Pecan Kringle SticksMy family loves that the kringle is flaky and not too sweet—it just melts in your mouth. This makes a beautiful presentation on a cookie platter along with other holiday sweets. —Connie Vjestica, Brookfield, Illinois
Crunchy BreadsticksThese thin, crisp breadsticks created in our Test Kitchen add a bit of elegance to a holiday dinner. Each bite is perfectly seasoned with thyme and coarse salt.
Peanut Butter 'N' Jelly CakeI made this fun and flavorful peanut butter and jelly cake for my son's first birthday. He just turned 33, and he still has to have his favorite treat. Kids of any age have a hard time turning down peanut butter and jelly—especially when it comes tucked into cake and frosting! —Linda Graybill, Sebring, Florida
Apple Raisin BreadI've been making this bread for many years. It smells so good in the oven and tastes even better. I make bread almost every Saturday, and it doesn't stay around long with our sons home from college in the summer. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington
Caramel-Pecan Apple PieYou'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia, to my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona
Cinnamon Roll MacaronsThese macarons are a fall and winter staple for me. Inspired by the classic cinnamon roll, they are a delicious treat for a cold or snowy day. These pair well with a mug of tea, and can be eaten as a dessert or just a snack. Other fillings would work well with this—including custard, mousse, ganache or other buttercream.
—Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California
Cranberry Pumpkin BreadPut leftover cranberries and pumpkin to great use in this moist quick bread. It’s very good with my "secondhand turkey" casserole for an after-Thanksgiving meal. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Caramel Pecan CheesecakeI created this creamy cheesecake using two of my favorites—caramel and pecans. It is a stunning cake and rivals any I've tasted. —Deidre Sizer, Cedarville, Ohio
Chocolate Angel CakeWhen I was married in 1944, I could barely boil water. My dear mother-in-law taught me her specialty—making the lightest angel food cakes ever. This chocolate version is an easy, impressive treat. —Joyce Shiffler, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread PuddingSavor your favorite fall flavors with this scrumptious bread pudding, served warm with a sweet vanilla sauce. Yum! —Judith Bucciarelli, Johnson, New York
Cinnamon Swirl BreadYour family will be impressed with the soft texture and appealing swirls of cinnamon in these buttery breakfast loaves. —Diane Armstrong, Elm Grove, Wisconsin
S'mores CheesecakeThis sweet and decadent cheesecake features graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows. Enjoy! —Kurt Anderson, Willmar, Minnesota
