I’m a baker—these are the best Christmas gifts for baking enthusiasts

Whether you have someone in your life who is a seasoned baker or someone who can’t resist a simple sponge, every home baker deserves tools that make their time in the kitchen a little more fun. This year’s baking gift guide gathers everything from gadgets and books to essentials that will delight beginners and professionals alike.

Shopping for a baking enthusiast can be challenging, especially when there are so many options on the market to choose from. I’ve rounded up my most frequently used items, suitable for all budgets.

Spatulas

Spatulas are my most frequently used tool when it comes to baking. I’ve got small ones, large ones, flat ones, and rounded ones, and you can never have too many of them. The great thing about spatulas is that they can be as affordable as you like, as they are available to purchase from several retailers.

My favourite, however, and most-used are those from ProCook, one of my favourite brands. They can be purchased online for £5 each, or there is a current deal where you can buy three for just £9. I love that they come in fun colours too, making baking even more fun. Dunelm also do some great affordable spatulas, as well as Lakeland and John Lewis.

Baking books

Baking books are an incredible gift, bound to please any home baker. You can’t go wrong with a Jane’s Patisserie book, of which she has five to pick from, or any Mary Berry baking book. I’ve recently started collecting Mary Berry’s baking books from the 1980s and 1990s, which make a great gift for nostalgic bakers.

Other notable books that I love include Finch Bakery’s baking books, The Thrifty Baker, and Crumbs & Doilies. The Taming Twins also have a variety of books, which are on my Christmas list this year.

Stand mixers

Now, stand mixers are not a necessity for many people, but my KitchenAid has changed my life. They make everything so much easier and quicker, and they do stand the test of time.

KitchenAid’s current sale offers a 4.8L stand mixer, complete with several attachments, for £356.15, down from £419.

Kenwood also have a range of affordable stand mixers, including their kMix, currently on sale in Argos for £180. It’s great for beginner bakers looking to expand their culinary adventures in the kitchen.

Hand mixer

If stand mixers are a little out of your budget, consider a hand mixer as an alternative. There are many options available on the market, including ones priced as low as £12. My favourite pick is Kenwood’s QuickMix Go Hand Mixer purely because it is super compact and takes up little space. If your budget stretches, KitchenAid’s Speed Hand Mixer is on my Christmas list this year to match my stand mixer. It’s sleek, classy and compact too.

Slow cooker

Perhaps a little more geared towards cooks rather than bakers, a slow cooker is my most frequently used appliance. While I haven’t used it for many sweet bakes yet, it takes the stress out of cooking and can be used to make delicious casseroles as well as puddings. I love my Laura Ashley one, but there is a huge range available, including ones which can be used to brown meat on the hob.

Chocolate subscription

Elevate someone’s Christmas with The Healthy Chocolatier’s luxury subscription box, which is delivered straight to your door. Each recipe is paired with professionally filmed step-by-step tutorials, guiding you from tempering chocolate to intricate decoration, so even beginners can create incredible chocolates.

Alix Tomkinson, a registered nutritional therapist with a background in recipe development at Cadbury, combined her knowledge of nutrition and passion for chocolate to create The Healthy Chocolatier. 

Bound to make a baker’s Christmas, each box contains premium ingredients, detailed recipe cards, professional chocolate moulds and colours and flavours used by master chocolatiers. Choose from a one-off experience box, a three-month plan, a six-month plan or a 12-month plan.

Sourdough Starter Set

If you have any sourdough lovers in your life who are trying to start baking their own, a starter set is the ultimate and most thoughtful gift. Kilner is, in my opinion, the best option available from many retailers, including Lakeland, for £19.99. It comes complete with a spatula, two jars, as well as an instruction and recipe booklet.

Thermapen

An absolute staple in any kitchen, a Thermapen has become my new favourite gadget. Made in Britain by leading temperature experts with over 40 years of experience, Thermapens are made with quality at the heart. There’s a wide range to pick from, making it perfect for everything from baking to BBQs. Mainly used to test the temperature of meat, I also use mine to test the temperature of chocolate for tempering, making it a great all-rounder. I have the ONE pen, but there are so many to pick from, including a polka dot one.

Apron

Another staple in every kitchen, an apron is a thoughtful gift. You can buy personalised ones, budget-friendly ones from Dunelm or a premium one like those at HexClad. I definitely think it’s worth investing in an apron, as it’ll last a lifetime with the right care. My Eco Modern Apron from HexClad is my new absolute favourite, just like their pots and pans.

Serving tray

If you have any Little Moons lovers in your life, the company has just launched its first-ever mochi tray kit. Combining food with the love of craft, I absolutely love the thought of receiving this on Christmas morning. The limited-edition set, in collaboration with Sculpd, comes complete with everything you need to mould, paint, and personalise your own ceramic tray, perfectly sized to hold mochi. While this is a little more niche, I think thoughtful and unusual gifts are the best.

Emma Bridgewater

Anything from Emma Bridgewater, and I mean anything. Whether you have someone in your life who loves baking cakes and needs storage tins, is in need of a glass cake dome, or simply collects mugs, Emma Bridgewater is always on my Christmas list. I love their servewear, aprons, and tea towels, and they have a variety of items which can be personalised too.