10 Must-Have Holiday Baking Tools, According To A Serious Baker | HuffPost Life

Cheryl Day knows what she's doing in the kitchen, so these picks will be surefire successes.

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Get this large Nordic Ware cookie scoop from Amazon for $15.51.

“I’m the original home baker, that’s how I started,” Cheryl Day told HuffPost. Day is the co-owner of Savannah’s Back in the Day Bakery and author of the “Treasury of Southern Baking” cookbook.

Day’s unfussy yet elegant approach to baking carries over to the baking tools she keeps on hand in the kitchen — at home and at work. A tool should be versatile and look nice too. “I do tend to like things that I like to look at in my kitchen, even at the bakery. I love buying things with maybe a special wood handle for some of my pastry tools. But as far as things that just don’t work and break easy, just things like that, I tend to stay away from,” Day said.

The holiday season is upon us, which means it’s time to ramp up the holiday baking. Whether you’re a novice or expert baker, or looking to give the home baker in your life something practical yet fun, it always helps to know what a pro like Day uses in her kitchen. Here, she shares 10 products that are a must for any home baker.

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

A Great Jones loaf pan

Did you know you can bake muffin batter in a loaf pan? Day likes to do this when gifting people treats during the holidays. “You can’t give somebody one muffin, but you could give them one loaf,” she laughed. Great Jones’ loaf pans are made of aluminized steel and a nontoxic ceramic coating. They also come in eye-catching colors like blueberry and broccoli.

Get it from Great Jones for $28.

A large cookie scoop

“I love cookie scoops for portioning out cookies and I just think it makes it so easy,” Day said. Cookie scoops help keep muffins and cupcakes consistent, too. She also keeps a small cookie scoop on hand.

Get the large Nordic Ware cookie scoop from Amazon for $15.51.

Joyce Chen kitchen shears

Kitchen shears are great for snipping herbs, but Day also likes them for cutting vents into her pie crust and to cut pastry bags. “I think that would be a great gift for somebody. I have a bright red, and they come in fun colors,” she said.

Get them from Amazon for $18.99.

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Guittard chocolate wafers

When it comes to a pantry staple that Day likes to have on hand, Guittard’s chocolate wafers stand out. They’re fantastic for anything that you would usually use in chocolate shops, she said. Wafers melt more easily than chocolate chips so the result is a gooier treat.

Get a 12-ounce bag from Amazon for $14.51.

A bench scraper

Williams Sonoma

A bench scraper is a must-have baking tool according to Day. In fact, it’s probably her No. 1 tool because you can use it to cut dough (the one from Williams Sonoma has measurement markings to make it easy) and you can use it to clean. Bonus points for a pretty olive-wood handle.

Get it from Williams Sonoma for $19.95.

A big sheet pan and oven-safe nesting grid

This is a two-for-one suggestion from Day. First, she loves to use a big baking sheet even when baking at home. The bigger the sheet, the bigger the batch of cookies. This set comes with a cooling rack, which is also a must, according to Day. To prevent overbaking your treats, especially cookies and muffins, you’ll want to take them out of the oven as quickly as possible and place them on a cooling rack which allows the air to circulate and cool the treats quicker.

Get the Nordic Ware set from Amazon for $33.91.

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A large whisk

Think a whisk is just for beating eggs? Think again: A whisk can also replace a sieve or sifter, Day said. Sure, sometimes you need to use one of those specialized tools, but, “This is just real life for me. Generally, I’m taking a large whisk and aerating all of my ingredients and making sure they’re incorporated that way,” she said. A whisk might seem like an obvious tool, and you probably already have one, but it’s worth investing in a large whisk that will really get the job done. This is also a great gift for someone building their baking collection.

Get the 11-inch Nordic Ware whisk from Amazon for $12.50.

A pastry brush

You might not think you need a pastry brush — until you realize it’s hard to get those egg whites on those biscuits. This is a holiday baking must.

Get an OXO Good Grips pastry brush from Amazon for $7.99.

Mrs Anderson's rolling pin

Day has a collection of rolling pins and loves this old-fashioned one from Fante’s. It’s what she calls “grandma style” and has handles and ball bearings for easy rolling. It’s ideal for biscuits. If you want something fancier, perhaps as a gift for someone else, Day likes this oak fine pin from Herriot Grace.

Get it from Fante's for $26.99.

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A Whitebark Workwear apron

Whitebark

Whitebark Workware is a sustainably minded company based in Los Angeles that designs aprons made with hemp. “They’re the most durable aprons and they feel really good,” said Day. “You feel like you’re ready when you tie it on.” They come in a variety of colors ranging from bright aquamarine to a neutral sand.

See Whitebark's selection of aprons for around $102 each.

Before You Go

The Best Grain-Free, Gluten-Free Baking Mixes

Birch Benders Keto Pancake and Waffle Mix(01 of09)

“This is an awesome high-protein and high-fiber pancake alternative that uses real ingredients,” registered dietitian Marissa Meshulam told HuffPost. “There are no weird additives, and they have a fun, coconutty taste.”

Get it from Amazon for $9.57. (credit:Amazon)

Bob's Red Mill Grain-Free Mixes(02 of09)

“This seven-ingredient Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mix is packed with protein and healthy fats, plus it has less added sugar than many grain-based brands,” registered dietitian nutritionist Amanda Frankeny told HuffPost. “It’s made with an almond flour and coconut flour base. You simply add eggs, water and oil, and you get what’s promised — fluff on the inside and a crispy exterior.”

Get the Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mix from Amazon for $14.43.

Experts also love the Blueberry Muffin Mix from the same brand. “There are several great grain-free baking mixes on the market, but only a couple have made the top of my list,” registered dietitian nutritionist Andrea Mathis told HuffPost. Registered dietitian Toby Amidor agreed, noting the high protein content in this mix. "If you’re looking for a grain-free baking mix that contains a great source of protein, this is a good choice since it contains 8 grams of protein per serving,” he told HuffPost. “I usually like to make my own muffins, but in a pinch I will use a quick and easy mix. It makes delicious muffins. The mix uses gluten-free paleo baking flour, which consists of almond flour, arrowroot starch, coconut flour and tapioca flour, and it’s sweetened with coconut sugar.”

Get a five-pack of the Grain-Free Blueberry Muffin Mix from Amazon for $28.81.
(credit:Amazon)

Highkey Keto Blueberry Muffin & Cupcake Mix(03 of09)

“Homemade grain-free muffins can be tricky,” Frankeny said. “If you’ve tried baking them, you’ve probably run into some funky-textured baked goods. Highkey makes it easier with this mix. It delivers a moist muffin every single time, one that never ventures into dense or soggy territory. This product does include the sugar-replacement allulose and a sugar alcohol, erythritol. Though they add to the flavor, you should be aware of that if you’re staying away from low-calorie sweeteners.”

Get it from Amazon for $9.98. (credit:Amazon)

Julie’s Real Paleo Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix(04 of09)

“These are about as low in sugar as a brownie can come,” Meshulam said. “The mix uses real, wholesome ingredients to provide you with chocolatey goodness. And they’re truly paleo if that’s your thing.”

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $19.99. (credit:Amazon)

King Arthur Grain-Free Paleo Baking Flour(05 of09)

“I recently made biscuits with this blend, and they turned out moist and noncrumbly," chef and cookbook author Robin Asbell told HuffPost. "So many gluten-free mixes can become dry once the biscuit cools, but this one didn’t.” The experts behind the Real Food Dietitians — Jessica Beacom, Stacie Hassing and Jessie Shafer — also gave this mix a thumbs-up. “We’ve used this blend in place of wheat flour in recipes, and we’ve had great results," they told HuffPost.

Get it from Amazon for $7.98. (credit:Amazon)

Livlo Keto Biscuit & Bread Mix(06 of09)

“We all love a fluffy biscuit, and this mix will get you exactly what you crave,” Frankeny said. “It uses almond flour, baking powder and sea salt. This buttery, delicious treat does contain a tiny nutritional boost, with 4 more grams of fiber per serving than the leading wheat-based biscuit brand. Try the finished product on the side when serving pot roast, or use it as a quiche crust.”

Get it from Amazon for $10.17. (credit:Amazon)

Miss Jones Baking Co. Mixes(07 of09)

“For anyone who loves the taste and texture of cornbread but is following a grain-free diet, this mix is the perfect go-to. It’s made with almond flour and coconut flour," registered dietitian nutritionist Amy Gorin told HuffPost.

Get the “Not Cornbread” Bread & Muffin Mix from Amazon for $7.99.

“One of my favorite better-for-you baking mix companies is Miss Jones,” Amidor said. “This mix is made with almond flour and is sweetened with erythritol and monk fruit extract.”

Get the Keto & Paleo Fudgy Brownie Baking Mix from Amazon for $6.99. (credit:Amazon)

Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Pancake + Waffle Mix(08 of09)

“This mix doesn’t produce a weird mouthfeel or chalky taste,” Mathis said.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Sharon Palmer agreed, adding, “I already think they do a really nice job with their granolas, and no surprise, their grain-free pancake mix is yummy, too.”

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $22.62. (credit:Amazon)

Simple Mills Baking Mixes(09 of09)

"This [Cupcake & Cake Baking Mix] is about as clean as cake can get,” Meshulam said. “They use coconut sugar, which has a slightly lower glycemic index than regular sugar. The blend of almond and coconut flour is higher in protein, fat and fiber, making this a more nutrient-dense treat.”

Get a three-pack of the Almond Flour Cupcake & CBaking Mix from Amazon for $23.97.

Chef Marshall O’Brien said his family’s breakfasts are frequently powered by pancakes made with the Almond Flour Pancake & Waffle Mix. “I have two daughters, ages 7 and 10, and I’ll use it for our Saturday breakfasts," he told HuffPost. "The mix is almond-based, with real — and few — ingredients.” Pro tip: The chef sometimes adds a few extras to boost nutrition. “I’ll add ground flaxseed, hemp seeds, or sometimes even cricket powder. I serve pancakes with homemade stewed cinnamon apples, peanut butter or other nut butters, ghee, butter, real maple syrup and assorted jams. It’s a tasty treat.”

Get a three-pack of the Almond Flour Pancake & Waffle Mix from Amazon for $25.45. (credit:Amazon)

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