Christmas shopping is never easy – especially when it comes to buying the perfect gift for the baker in your life.
For one, most baking enthusiasts will already have a cupboard full of baking tools and essentials, so you never know if you’re going to buy them something they already own. How many rolling pins or wooden spoons does one person really need anyway?
On the other hand, you want to make sure that you buy them something that they will use for years to come – there’s nothing than getting some bakeware that doesn’t live to see next Christmas. We aren’t suggesting that you blow your budget buying the most expensive tools on the shelf, either. There are plenty of great-quality baking essentials you can grab for a loved one that won’t break the bank.
With each of these things in mind, I have come up with the 10 best gifts for bakers this Christmas. Whether you’re shopping for a novice baker, or a seasoned professional who has been baking sourdough for decades, there is something for every baker and every budget in this list – from must-have baking tools to cookbooks to quirky gifts that will induce eye rolling from your mates.
No matter what you choose, it will be a holiday gift worth remembering. Consider it a gift for them and a gift for you. What could be better than that? For more gift ideas, check out our full product range.
1. Artisan Sourdough Made Simple cookbook by Emilie Raffa
Available on Amazon from $26.95, Artisan Sourdough Made Simple: A Beginner's Guide, removes the fear and proves that baking with sourdough is easy. As a professionally trained chef and avid home baker, Emilie Raffa uses her experience to guide you through the science and art of sourdough, while providing step-by-step master recipe guides for 65 recipes.
You’ll learn how to make Bacon, Shallot & Black Pepper Bread, Blistered Asiago Bread, Cranberry Apple Cider Bread, Overnight Cinnamon Rolls, Share n’ Tear Garlic Rolls, Fool-Proof Focaccia with Rosemary and more.
2. Wooden bread lame
Every baker worth their salt needs a lame to score their bread professionally and with ease. And when you first start off, you usually end up just using a sharp knife or a razor blade. But, receiving a professional-quality wooden bread lame like this one from You knead Sourdough will lend the perfect results every time.
The lame comes with five blades and comes in a leather cover for safe, luxurious storage. It will certainly become a staple in the artillery of any bread baker.
3. Professional Bread Knife
It’s all well and good baking the perfect sourdough loaf, but without the right bread knife you could massacre your masterpiece. A professional serrated bread knife will last for years to come and will make easy work of slicing your crunchy loaves of sourdough.
This Mercer Culinary Millennia 10-Inch Wide Bread Knife, which is forged from Japanese steel, was voted the best value bread knife by Goodhousekeeping. It’s also available for $30.97 from Amazon.
4. Banneton basket
Banneton baskets are one of those baking tools that are a must-have for any baker’s toolkit. They are purpose-built shaping containers for artisanal sourdough bread and allow the dough to breathe during the proofing process. They are also what gives sourdough loaves their signature spiral pattern and the crunchy exterior.
You Knead Sourdough’s Oval Banneton Basket with Cloth Liner is the perfect option when it comes to choosing a basket worthy of your next masterpiece. Each basket is handmade from 100% rattan and is completely natural, so you needn’t worry about chemicals in your bread. You can get your hands on one for only $24.95 on our website today.
5. Sourdough accompaniments
Although homemade sourdough is delicious on its own, many people enjoy it with some condiments – as it lends itself to so many flavours. So, giving something they can enjoy with their bread is always a thoughtful gift at Christmas.
The folks at Random Harvest offer a variety of gift packs to pair with your homemade sourdough, such as this Mini Me Jams Gift Set for $24.95, or this Infused Oils Carry Case for $34.95. There's something for every palate.
6. Baguette bread loaf earrings
If you’re looking to give the baker in your life the full sensory experience when it comes to baking sourdough, then give them the chance to wear it with these bread themed earrings! They come in a set of 12, so you have plenty of choices and can pick whichever is your favourite for the day! They really are the ideal stocking filler.
7. Sourdough starter jar kit
Give someone’s little yeastie the gift of a new home, with a Sourdough Starter Jar Kit from Amazon. This starter jar kit features everything you need to nurture your sourdough starter, including a 1500ml glass jar, thermometer, chalkboard stickers, cable tie and brushes.
It only costs $19.99 from Amazon, but the look on your favourite baker’s face when they open it will be priceless.
8. Sourdough Log Book
Every master baker doesn’t go anywhere without their own sourdough notebook or journal, as it’s perfect for keeping note of all your recipes, ingredients lists, methods and more.
This A5 Bread baking Journal on Etsy by SourdoughsAndDonts is a thoughtful gift for a baking enthusiast in your life, who can fill the pages with their baking ideas.You can grab it for a special someone today for under $20, so it’s ideal for Secret Santa.
9. Mockmill Flour and Grain Mill
If you’re really looking to impress this year with your Christmas gift, then look no further than a Mockmill Flour and Grain Mill. What is that? You might ask. Well, these German-designed mills help you to grind just about anything that is raw and dry, such as flour, grain and even spices. They will help anyone take their baking game to the next level!
10. Complete Sourdough Starter Kit
Why not give someone special the gift of learning how to make sourdough this Christmas? Our Complete Sourdough Starter Kit comes with everything you need to get started making your own sourdough. The kit includes: bread flour, dried sourdough starter flakes, a banneton basket, danish dough whisk, bread lame, dough scraper and printed instructions for your sourdough starter.
Sourdough bakers love sharing their homemade creations with others, so by giving them the perfect gift this Christmas you’ll no doubt be enjoying plenty of baked bread in no time. Just make sure to tell your friends to tag @youkneadsourdough on Instagram, so I can see your sourdough creations for myself.