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Let’s face it, stocking stuffers often end up being an afterthought, a hastily tossed together hodgepodge of ho-hum food stuffs and equally undesirable trinkets that are destined to end up in your junk drawer. It’s an understandable fate. You spent all that time and money searching for the perfect big ticket gift, so why waste any more resources on the small stuff? We hear you, we feel you, and we’re here to help. Below, everything worth buying (according to us) that will fit snugly into a flashy, oversized sock without emptying out your wallet.
Maxwell & Williams White Basics Mortar and Pestle Gift Set, $4.99 on Bed Bath and Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
There’s a reason this ancient food processor has stood the test of time. For starters, you can spice things up with this small yet sturdy porcelain mortar and pestle set which eliminates the need for ground spices. Not only will pulverizing whole peppercorns and fennel seeds ensure fresher flavor and stronger aromatics, it’ll also provide a nice workout and some stress relief from the all-too-hectic holidays.See It
World Market Saffron Strands, $4.99 on World Market
World Market
That’s right, the most expensive spice in the world can be had for under a Lincoln. It’s not just saffron’s vibrant color and unmistakable flavor that drive up its price. The spice is notoriously tough to harvest. The flowers that produce saffron are in bloom only six weeks per year, and each flower only produces three saffron stigmas (or threads). In other words, 170,000 flowers are required to produce a single pound of food’s answer to gold. It’s no surprise this particular package of real deal Iranian saffron is about a pinch of threads, but that’s more than enough to take that paella, risotto, or seafood stew to the next level.See It
Metal Bendy Straw, $2 on West Elm
West Elm
The revolution has begun. Plastic straws are going the way of the Styrofoam container, if you haven’t heard. This sleek and durable straw truly sucks (in a good way!), and is capable of delivering thicker liquids such as shakes and smoothies to the dome. If only it could prevent brain freeze.See It
MiTBA Garlic Peeler, $4.99 on Amazon
MiTBA/Amazon
Peeling garlic by hand and prying away those last stubborn flecks of skin is always a chore, resulting in fingers that smell like Dracula’s worst nightmare. Enter MiTBA’s oh-so-simple garlic peeler. Load up to three cloves in the nifty silicone tube and roll it back and forth a few times and…boom. Fully-peeled garlic!See It
Gran Gala Liqueur, $3.49 on BevMo
BevMo
Here’s an opportunity to keep the tradition of gifting oranges during the holidays alive without actually giving anyone a bulky piece of fruit. Gran Gala is a blend of brandy and fresh orange—a lively Italian orange liqueur that can be enjoyed on the rocks or in a margarita. For sweet tooths, this airplane-sized bottle offers just the right amount of sweet boozy goodness for a citrusy soufflé.See It
Rabbit Rubber Wine Stopper, $1.95 on Crate and Barrel
Crate & Barrel
If you know someone who loves wine but hates hangovers (so basically, everyone) this effective and easy to use rubber wine stopper provides an air-tight seal that will help keep open bottles fresh for future consumption. It’s great for virtually any capped container, be it booze or oil, though it’s a particular asset for fans of bubbly beverages such as beer, Champagne, and soda, helping to prolong carbonation.See It
Pebeyre Summer Truffle Salt, $4.99 at French Food Baskets
French Food Baskets
There’s nothing more decadent than a truffle, the elusive delicacy that delights the senses of both gourmands and pigs alike. While even a light shaving of the ‘shroom will set you back a very pretty penny, this luxury salt made in Italy by famed French truffle house Pebeyre is the perfect vehicle to experience the joy of truffles without breaking the bank. A light sprinkle elevates anything from steaks to French fries and is an absolute game-changer on popcorn.See It
Down East Schooner Mustard, $5 at Raye’s Mustard
Raye’s Mustard
Maine condiment king Raye’s produces some of the best small batch mustard you’ll ever slather on a weiner. There are plenty of varieties to choose from but it’s hard to top their Down East Schooner, a classic American yellow mustard that has been in production since 1900. Down East Schooner comes in multiple sizes but a four-ounce jar will keep you under budget.See It
Chocolate-Dipped Spoons with Marshmallow and Peppermint, 4 for $4.99 at Target
Target
These single-serving hot chocolate spoons are pure magic, turning a hot glass of milk into creamy cocoa heaven in mere seconds with a simple dip and stir. The best-of-both-worlds combo of dark chocolate and marshmallow is joined by seasonally appropriate peppermint, making it an even hotter proposition. Buy four packs and you get the fifth for free.See It
For more great gift ideas, see our Gourmet Food and Drink Gift Guide, and our Best Kitchen Gadgets, Tools, and Appliances Gift Guide.
Related Video: Here’s Why We Put Oranges in Christmas Stockings
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The bar cart has practically become the new throw pillow for any apartment living room or loft space. But it’s around the holidays when a bar cart really stands out—a vintage brass stunner dressed up in garlands and white mini lights may just upstage your tree (or replace it). Whether you’re looking to upgrade your own bar on wheels or liven up a friend’s with standout stemware, we’ve got you covered with these no-fail cocktail-minded presents for every budget.
Target
Marble is timeless and basically screams fancy. These geometric coasters are an easy (and affordable) way to say ‘bye bye’ to water rings in style.See It
Stonewall Kitchen’s Ski Lodge Soy Candle, $12.95 at Target
Stonewall Kitchen
We love a good candle on a mirrored bar cart. This juniper, vanilla, and cedarwood candle is one of our holiday favorites—the scent will transport you to a cozy mountain chalet.See It
Maison Numen Martini Glass Pick Set, $190
Maison Numen
We definitely have a set of these show-stopping glasses on our wish list this season. Designed by glass expert Vanessa Mitrani, they’re hand blown with thin bronze stems, and the ideal vessel for a martini (or two).See It
Owney’s Rum, $40 at Reserve Bar
Owney’s
This super-premium blended white rum is named after iconic Prohibition-era hustler and rum runner Owen ‘Owney’ Madden. Bottled in New York City, it’s a blend of Owney’s Distiller’s Reserve and two-year-old cask-aged Dominican rum. The bottle is a conversation-starter unto itself.See It
Wood and Copper Bar Tools & Accessories, $3.99-$39.99 on World Market
World Market
You can outfit your bestie’s entire bar cart for around $100 or pick up just a few of these standout wood and copper cocktail tools. They come in all the must-haves: a jigger, strainer, bar spoon, serving tray, and ice bucket. And at just $4, the Wood And Copper Bottle Opener is easily the stocking stuffer you don’t have to think twice about this season.See It
Hangar 1 Vodka: Fog Point, $134 on Reserve Bar
Reserve Bar
This premium vodka comes with an interesting origin story—and a gorgeous bottle. Hangar 1 collected Northern California fog and turned it into fresh water. It was then blended with distilled white wine from the same region. The result is a crisp sipping vodka that tastes of pear, citrus, and honeysuckle. Hangar 1 also makes a rosé vodka for $32 if you’re looking to keep your bar cart thematic.See It
Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions,” $25.47 on Amazon
Amazon
The best-selling authors and mixologists behind the acclaimed Death & Co are at it again. This time, they’re crafting classic and original drinks built from six “root cocktails:” the Old-Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Whisky Highball, and the Flip. If there’s one recipe book to prominently feature on a bar cart, this is it.See It
Better Homes & Gardens Fitzgerald Serving Cart, $64 on Walmart.com
Walmart
If you can’t swing a vintage bar cart on 1stdibs, this gold metal and classic glass version is a steal. With two tiers and built-in bottle holders, it has plenty of storage space for bottles, glasses, or bar tools of varying heights and sizes.See It
Jose Cuervo’s Reserva de la Familia, $205 on Reserve Bar
Reserve Bar
This extra-añejo from the first family of tequila’s private collection is made of 100 percent blue agave and aged in French and American oak barrels in the family’s cellar for at least three years. It’s also delightfully packaged in a collectible wooden box, decorated each year by a different Mexican artist.See It
NOLA Boards’ Bitters Flight, $95
NOLA Boards
El Guapo bitters are handmade in New Orleans, with uniquely NOLA names. Think Crawfish Boil, Gumbo, and Chicory Pecan. Choose any four for your flight, which includes a holder in a choice of cherry, maple, or walnut woods.See It
Aviation American Gin, $33 on Reserve Bar
Reserve Bar
If this particular spirit is good enough for Mr. Blake Lively, it’s good enough for us. Ryan Reynolds bought the boutique gin producer earlier this year after realizing it was the key ingredient in his favorite Negroni. Whether you agree that the American craft gin is smoother and easier to drink than its British counterparts is up to you. Not up-for-debate: This good-looking bottle is a must for any dude’s liquor stash.See It
RH Gibson Bar Cart, $1,195 on Restoration Hardware
Restoration Hardware
Taking its name from the classic cocktail, this beaut is ‘70s chic with two shelves and a removable mirrored tray. With two color options—polished brass or polished nickel—it’ll be the showpiece in any room.See It
HappyFiestaDesign’s Cocktail Recipe Cards, $5.30 on Etsy
Etsy
For a gift with a personal touch, use this digital file to print out cocktail recipes and gift to friends. If you need one to get you started, we’re a fan of the Nite Lite from Daniel Zacharczuk of Los Angeles’ Bibo Ergo Sum. The main ingredient being Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon (2oz), mixed with 2 teaspoons of apricot liqueur and 1 teaspoon each of Frangelico, simple syrup, and a rhubarb-based bitter like Amaro Sfumato. Stir over a large cube of ice and serve in a double Old Fashioned glass with a lemon twist.See It
Highest Rated Wine Case, $267 on Naked Wines
Naked Wines
A nice bottle of red is never a bad gift idea. Even better is a whole case to fill up that bar cart. Especially when said case is full of bottles from independent wine producers all over the world. Naked Wines, a customer-funded wine business, put together a box of some of the most popular wines it sells. For about $22 a bottle, you’ll get a diverse selection of reds and whites. Pro tip: the case is almost $150 cheaper for members.See It
Pernod Ricard’s Prestige Bar Cart, $2,400 on Reserve Bar
Reserve Bar
For gift givers with truly deep pockets, there’s this fully stocked bar cart. It’s definitely a splurge, but the time you’ll save acquiring these premium bottles— Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Brut and Martell XO Cognac—as well as crystal glasses and flutes, and bartender-approved Elyx copper barware might just be worth it.See It
Related Video: Bubbly Cocktails for New Year’s Eve
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Cookies are great dessert options. So are cakes. But what if they combined their forces to create the ultimate synergistic sweet? Enter Cakies. The name really says it all. Part cookie, part cake, pure awesome. Trust us, if you want to win Santa over this holiday season, here’s how to do it.
Who better to teach us how to make this delicious hybrid than a renowned cake artist? That’s why we turned to Yolanda Gampp. She’s an expert chef and the leading force behind How to Cake It, a YouTube channel and online community dedicated to sweet things that look as amazing as they taste. Seriously, from this Funfetti tower of presents to this ginormous candy cane, her cakes are total works of art. Check out her stuff and marvel at the fact that literally ANYTHING can be cake.
But don’t let her baking prowess intimidate you. In the video above, Gampp takes us through the Cakie-making process step-by-step. Watch as she assembles all the ingredients. First chocolate cake and ganache get layered between chocolate chip cookies (aka the best sandwich ever!). But wait, it gets better.
Slather it in swirls of Italian meringue buttercream frosting. Why Italian-style frosting? It’s sweeter than French or Swiss varieties, but less sweet than its American counterpart, lending it the perfect balance of flavor.
Roll the whole thing up with sprinkles, the more colorful, the better. And top with more chocolate, which can be drizzled from a pastry bag. Or you can even use a cone of parchment paper in a pinch. Do whatever it takes to get more chocolate on top!
I swear, she makes creating the whole shebang look as easy as stacking Legos. And maybe it is?! So if you’re feeling ambitious and want to impress everyone at your holiday party this year, definitely give this treat a go.
All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.
From Christmas cookies and birthday cakes to bake sale brownies and Sunday morning muffins, there’s almost always an occasion (or a good excuse) to bake. Whether you’re ready for your spot on “The Great British Baking Show” or more suited to an episode of “Nailed It,” having the right equipment can only make your baking better. So we’ve rounded up the best baking tools to have in your arsenal.
Sure, you can get by with the bare minimum—for decades, my mom used a heavy silver fork for everything from creaming butter to beating eggs and was the official birthday cake baker in the family (and at work) because her desserts were amazing, but even she’s upgraded to a KitchenAid in the past few years. Speaking of stand mixers, some of these baking tools are definitely more nice-to-have than must-own, but all are certain to improve your baking game.
We Like: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $259.99 at KitchenAid (48 percent off)
KitchenAid
A stand mixer is a bit of a splurge, but it’s well worth the investment. It makes whipping cream and egg whites, mixing doughs and batters, and even kneading bread a breeze, but it does a lot more than that, too. Another bonus: you can leave them running while you attend to other tasks (just don’t forget and overwork your dough). Depending on your budget and your space, you can buy smaller models, like the KitchenAid Mini, or ones with a bowl-lift design (great when you don’t have a lot of clearance under your cabinets)—and they all come in a rainbow of gorgeous colors to match any décor.See It
Now through January 1, 2019, you can enter our contest to win a KitchenAid 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer (and an Air Fryer).
We Like: KitchenAid 9-Speed Hand Mixer, $79.99 ($129.99)
KitchenAid
If a stand mixer isn’t in your budget, a hand mixer is the next best thing (and it couldn’t hurt to have both, so you can break out the latter for smaller jobs). In any case, a hand-held electric mixer sure beats, well, beating eggs and whipping cream with a whisk—or a fork, as my mom can attest. This 9-speed model comes with the usual egg beater attachments, as well as 2 dough hooks and a pro whisk.See It
We Like: Rubbermaid Stainless Steel Oven Thermometer, $5.30 on Amazon
Rubbermaid/Amazon
You might think this is pointless—after all, your oven has temperature settings already. But you might be surprised by how inaccurate those controls really are; an oven thermometer will tell you exactly how hot your oven actually is, and allow you to adjust accordingly, for precisely baked cakes, cookies, breads, and more.See It
We Like: AmazonBasics Silicone Baking Mats, 2 for $8.38
Amazon
Nonstick silicone mats are perfect for rolling out dough, cooling sticky candy or chocolate-coated confections, and for lining baking pans so cookies and other baked goods don’t stick (without the need for any extra fat, or wrestling with parchment paper). You can get an extra-large silicone mat with circular guidelines for rolling out pie crusts, which is helpful if you’re not great at free-handing it, but you’ll probably want to stock up on several baking mats anyway—and these are a great price. They also come in 3- and 4-packs.See It
We Like: Greater Goods Digital Kitchen Scale, $9.85 on Amazon
Greater Goods/Amazon
Serious bakers need a scale. It’s the surest way to measure the precise amount of each ingredient—which matters quite a lot in baking—and it lets you cook from metric recipes without having to do any conversions. Another bonus: you can just keep adding same-step ingredients to the same bowl, so you dirty fewer dishes. These days, digital scales are incredibly affordable, and small enough that they barely impose on your storage space. Really, they deserve a place in every kitchen. See It
We Like: Kootek Frosting Tools Set with Piping Tips and Bags, 42 pieces for $11.99 on Amazon
Kootek/Amazon
If you’re going to be making frosted cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, a professional-grade decorating set will help your goodies look their absolute best. But they’re also handy for other tasks, like piping meringue, forming and filling macarons, and squeezing out pâte à choux pastry for protfiteroles and éclairs. This set comes with two reusable silicone pastry bags, 36 different icing tips, and two flower nails for building beautiful roses—even if you need to work up to that.See It
We Like: J.K. Adams 12-Inch Gourmet Rolling Pin, $17 at Sur La Table
J.K. Adams
A good solid rolling pin is essential for homemade pies, tarts, and cut-out cookies. The tapered French rolling pin is preferred by many professional bakers; the dowel style allows for more control and maneuverability, yet can be harder for more casual bakers to wield than a the handled style. Whichever type you go with, a longer length rolls out more dough at once, and a heavy weight means you take fewer passes over the dough—but marble can be too heavy. Wood is ideal; just be sure not to soak it in water, lest it split and warp. Adding removable bands can help you get an even thickness across your crust as well.See It
We Like: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Bench Scraper, $9.99 on Amazon
OXO/Amazon
Bench scrapers may seem unnecessary, but they’re great (and inexpensive) little tools for cutting butter, scraping up sticky dough from your counters, and portioning out scones, balls of pie dough, and even roughly chopping mix-ins (or vegetables).See It
We Like: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Half Sheet Baking Pans, 2 for $16.99 on Amazon
Nordic Ware
If you want to bake a variety of things, you’ll need a lot of pans: cupcake pans; loaf pans for banana bread and pound cake; round cake pans for lovely layers; 8- or 9-inch square pans for brownies, blondies, and bars; springform pans for cheesecakes; removable-bottom fluted tart pans; maybe a nice Bundt pan too—and nonstick versions of all are tempting, but if they’re dark, they’ll make your baked goods brown more quickly. A lighter colored aluminum is especially great for sheet pans, which are probably the most versatile ones you’ll invest in; they’re great for baking cookies, sheet cakes, and slab pies, toasting nuts, coconut, and granola, and roasting veggies and meat. These heavy-duty, natural aluminum pans are rust-proof and have a rim to help roly-poly items stay put (a cookie sheet, by contrast, won’t have a raised edge all around).See It
We Like: Betty Crocker 3-Tier Cooling Rack, $14.21 on Amazon
Betty Crocker/Amazon
Cooling racks are another item you might think you don’t really need, but they help air circulate beneath your pan so your baked goods cool down more quickly and retain the texture you were aiming for. A three-tier cooling rack is nice because it frees up valuable counter space, so you can efficiently cool several pies, cake tiers, and batches of cookies at once.See It
We Like: OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Better Balloon Whisk, $9.99 on Amazon
OXO
If you’re intent on whipping your eggs or cream under your own power, a balloon whisk is your best bet, and this one has a comfy silicone handle. It’s also good to keep on hand for quick and easy jobs when you don’t want to plug in a mixer—and you’ll use it for lots of savory applications too, from sauces to scrambled eggs.See It
We Like: Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups, 4 for $21.88 on Amazon
Pyrex
While we know digital scales are superior for accurately portioning out ingredients, we also know that lots of people will continue to use measuring cups (and honestly, we still do too…a lot of the time). So it’s essential to have high-quality measuring cups. These durable Pyrex glass measuring cups let you clearly see the level of your ingredients from the outside; the spout makes pouring liquids a neater prospect; they can be microwaved (handy for melting butter) or placed in the freezer (great for chilling cream); and they’re dishwasher-safe.See It
We Like: OXO Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop, $13.99 on Amazon
OXO
These spring-loaded scoops ensure uniformly sized cookies—and unlike using tablespoons to form the balls of dough, the cookie scoops keep your hands clean. Plus, you can use them for portioning out liquid cupcake batters, making truffles, and carving spheres from soft fruits and veggies too.See It
We Like: Chef’n Sift ’n Sieve, $17.95 at Sur La Table
Sur La Table
A crank-handle flour sifter is one of those old-fashioned gadgets that’s actually useful—but a sieve or mesh strainer can do the same job, as well as many others, from straining fruit juice to standing in for a colander when you want to rinse berries. This one includes a scraper for pressing soft fruits through the sieve while leaving the seeds behind, but several smaller sizes of sieves with handles will prove useful too, since they’ll fit into smaller pots and bowls.See It
We Like: Pyrex Smart Essentials Mixing Bowl Set with Locking Lids, 4 for $25.99 at Target
Pyrex
Full disclosure: At my house, we have a lot of mismatched mixing bowls, many vintage (and mostly ceramic, with a couple stainless steel bowls for making ganache and whipping cream). But if you’re in the market for new bowls or could use some extras, this nesting set of Pyrex mixing bowls is a great option—they can go into the freezer, the microwave, and the dishwasher, and they come with lids, so you can store your finished dough or ice cream base in the fridge until you’re ready to finish the recipe.See It
We Like: OXO Pastry Blender, $12 at Sur La Table
Sur La Table
Incorporating small pieces of cold butter into your dough is the key to flaky pie crust, biscuits, and tart doughs. You can keep cutting that butter into your biscuit and pie dough with two forks if you really want to…or you can get yourself a pastry blender and make it much easier. This is also useful for chopping other things besides butter (I used mine the other day for mashing avocados; worked like a charm).See It
We Like: Di Oro Silicone Spatula Set, 3 for $29.97 on Amazon
Di Oro
Silicone spatulas are flexible, heat-resistant, easy to clean, and soft so they won’t scratch your bowls and pans, making them great for folding flour into batters, gently mixing in dough additions, stirring melting chocolate, and more. Look for a comfortable-to-grip handle, a one-piece design (so the head won’t come off and water won’t get trapped between it and the handle), a blade that bends but not too much, and a good size. Cook’s Illustrated named Di Oro their favorite spatula of 2017, and this set includes a spoontula and a mini spatula (perfect for getting every last bit of peanut butter out of the jar, among other things) in addition to your standard size spatula.See It
We Like: OXO Good Grips Offset Icing Spatula, $9.99 on Amazon
If you’re ready to graduate from frosting cakes with a butter knife, an offset spatula is just the thing for neatly spreading icing and filling onto baked goods. It helps level off bar cookies and brownies so they rise evenly, as well.See It
We Like: Stainless Steel Round Biscuit Cutters, 5 for $14.95 at Sur La Table
Sur La Table
Fancifully shaped cookie cutters are great, but even if you don’t plan on making gingerbread men, ninjabread men, sugar cookies in the shapes of trees and stars, or, uh, dinosaurs, a set of various sizes of round cutters are great for lots of things, from making simple cut-out cookies and biscuits to making perfect polka dots from fondant.See It
Microplane
A sharp, fine grater like the classic Microplane is fantastic not just for zesting citrus, but for grating fresh nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and even chocolate (and, of course, making fluffy mounds of hard cheese).See It
Once you’re all geared up, all that’s left to do is decide what to bake—so check out our baking recipes archive for breads, cakes, cookies, pies, tarts, and tons more sweet treats.
This post was originally published by Sara Lime on January 8, 2007 and was updated on December 10, 2018 with new links, images, and text.
Related Video: 10 Cookie Baking Mistakes
All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.