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Holiday baking essentials: Must-have tools and tips

It's time to update your baking essentials for the holiday season

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Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

The changing weather means many kitchens will be gearing up for holiday baking. There’s something magical about homes filling up with the delicious aromas of familiar spices along with the rows of mouth-watering treats so prevalent this time of year.

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For many, baking is an extension of one’s personality and identity. “Baking is such a beloved?pastime, and something that really anyone can take part in. From kids to grandparents, and whether beginners or pros, having quality tools is?the?key to success,” says?Diana Zottola, buyer, Hudson’s?Bay, who recommends getting ready for baking season by “investing in quality baking essentials like durable cookie sheets, a multifunctional mixer and (other) accessories.”

Perhaps now is a good time to go through your repertoire of baking essentials and retiring ones that have been around since your great-grandmother’s time (if you can’t part with them, re-imagine them as artwork!). Once you’ve taken stock of what you have and what could use a refresh, you’ll be ready to bake up a storm in no time.

Consider the following tools needed for baking.

Summary of the best baking tools

Best marble rolling pin: Fox Run Marble Rolling Pin and Base
Best wooden rolling pin: Wilton French Rolling Pin
Best silicone rolling pin: Remeel Silicone Rolling Pin
Best hand mixer: Hamilton Beach Professional 7 Speed Electric Hand Mixer
Best affordable hand mixer: KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
Best splurge hand mixer: Smeg 9-Speed Hand Mixer
Best baking trays: Wildone Baking Sheet with Rack Set
Best baking sheet: Silpat The Original Cookie Size Baking Mat
Best stainless steel cookie cutters: Christmas Cookie Cutters Set
Best copper cookie cutters: Williams Sonoma Holiday Copper Cookie Cutters
Best plastic cookie cutters: R&M International Snowflake Cookie Cutters

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Rolling pins

Rolling pins are beautiful works of art – well balanced and able to roll out dough to a perfect thickness. Which pin is for you: wood or marble? Stainless steel or non-stick? It all comes to personal preference.

Wooden pins are considered a fan favourite because they are versatile and dust easily with flour. Marble is ideal for rolling out the perfect pie crust; the cold marble helps evenly distribute the butter in the dough. Non-stick surfaces help keep the dough in place.

Here are some suggestions to suit your baking needs:

Best marble rolling pin: Fox Run Marble Rolling Pin and Base

Fox Run Marble Rolling Pin and Base
Fox Run Marble Rolling Pin and Base. Photo by Amazon

Why we love it: This natural stone rolling pin is designed from 100 per cent marble and is accented with smooth aluminum handles for good gripping.? The natural non-stick properties allow for easy rolling, perfect for doughs and pastries. Easy to clean and comes with a convenient resting base.

Price: $55
Where to buy: Amazon | Walmart

Best wooden rolling pin: Wilton French Rolling Pin

Wilton French Rolling Pin
Wilton French Rolling Pin. Photo by Amazon

Designed with tapered ends that allow you to easily pivot when rolling out dough or pastry crust, this rolling pin is essential for creating a uniform, round shape. Try it with sugar cookie dough, pizza dough, pie crust and more.

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Price: $27
Where to buy:?Amazon | Canadian Tire

Best silicone rolling pin: Remeel Silicone Rolling Pin

Remeel Silicone Rolling Pin
Remeel Silicone Rolling Pin. Photo by Amazon

Made with food-grade stainless steel, this roller is covered with thick non-stick silicone and is lighter than a marble rolling pin. It has an internal steel dough roller that keeps an even balance and a non-stick surface perfect for rolling out fondant, cookie dough and pie crust. It’s durable, easy to clean and comes in a variety of colours.

Price: $15
Where to buy:?Amazon

Hand mixers

When you don’t want to wear out your arms by mixing manually, a hand mixer is your best friend in the kitchen. They’re easy to store and small space-friendly. Plus, they’re an affordable alternative to pricey stand mixers. Here’s a selection:

Best hand mixer: Hamilton Beach Professional 7 Speed Electric Hand Mixer

Hamilton Beach Professional 7 Speed Electric Hand Mixer
Hamilton Beach Professional 7 Speed Electric Hand Mixer. Photo by Amazon

This must-have baking item has a lighter motor and ergonomic design that’s suitable for right or left-handed use. Its slow starting speed reduces splatter and it comes with a special storage case with soft scrape beaters, whisk and dough hooks, as well as lockable swivel cord.

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Price: $60
Where to buy:?Amazon | Best Buy

Best affordable hand mixer: KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer

KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer. Photo by Amazon

With its two stainless steel “turbo beaters” and five speeds, this mixer allows for excellent control when mixing up everything from your favourite cookie dough to mashing vegetables. It’s great for slowly stirring in chunky ingredients (think chocolate chips or nuts) or whipping egg whites or heavy cream.

Price: $50
Where to buy:?Amazon | Walmart

Best splurge hand mixer: Smeg 9-Speed Hand Mixer

Smeg Hand Mixer
Smeg Hand Mixer. Photo by Best Buy

Smeg is synonymous with sleek, vintage-inspired household appliances and this modern multi-speed mixer does not disappoint. It has an LED display with set timer and a turbo function, and includes two balloon whisks, two beaters, two dough hooks and accessory bag.

Price: $200
Where to buy: Best Buy | The Bay

Baking sheets and trays

Dollar store trays are great, but so are ones that you can keep and repeat using throughout the years. Look for sturdy aluminum, copper or ceramic baking trays for best results and even baking.

To make cleanup a breeze, consider also investing in a silicone baking mat. It’s an eco-friendly alternative to single-use parchment paper that’s also non-stick. Check out our favourites:

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Best baking trays: Wildone Baking Sheet with Rack Set

Wildone Baking Sheet with Rack Set
Wildone Baking Sheet with Rack Set. Photo by Amazon

These baking sheets and racks are made of high-quality stainless steel without any chemical coating or any other materials – so no need to worry about rust or chrome coming off into the food. The shiny nonstick finish offers easy release of foods plus they have deep sides all around.

Price: $51
Where to buy:?Amazon

Best baking sheet: Silpat The Original Cookie Size Baking Mat

Silpat The Original Cookie Size Baking Mat
Silpat The Original Cookie Size Baking Mat. Photo by Amazon

With its flexible, durable and non-stick surface, this versatile baking sheet is designed to simplify baking and cooking tasks. Made from high-quality silicone, it ensures that baked goods and food release effortlessly without the need for greasing or parchment paper. Perfect for baking cookies, roasting vegetables or rolling dough, it offers even heat distribution for consistent results.

Price: $48
Where to buy:?Amazon

Cookie cutters

Cookie cutters are timeless and beautiful. They come in all shapes and sizes – some are family heirlooms handed down throughout the years, some are spanking new, reflective of the latest trends. Care should be taken when washing, drying and putting them away. Here’s a listing of the types in use:

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  • Stainless steel: Are the most popular. They come in a large variety of shapes and size and are relatively long-lasting. They have sharp edges to cut into dough easily but have a drawback if they are left to soak in water too long – they rust.
  • Copper: A personal favourite because they have the same timber of stainless steel but a better uniformity of weight. Plus they look like artwork when displayed on a kitchen wall!
  • Plastic: Are great when you’re making cookies with kids. They are made with solid food-grade plastic and are excellent with more intricate shapes. Plus they clean easily.

Best stainless steel cookie cutters: Christmas Cookie Cutters Set

Christmas Cookie Cutters Set
Christmas Cookie Cutters Set. Photo by Amazon

Made of high-quality stainless steel, these delightful cookie cutters are also anti-corrosion with a 0.3 mm thickness, making them very durable. Smooth cutter edge makes them easy to use.

Price: $13
Where to buy:?Amazon

Best copper cookie cutters: Williams Sonoma Holiday Copper Cookie Cutters

Williams Sonoma Holiday Copper Cookie Cutters
Holiday Copper Cookie Cutters. Photo by Williams Sonoma

These delightful cookie cutters come in four festive shapes. They are made from solid copper and are sturdy, durable, easy to easy and clean. Perfect not only for cutting dough, but also fondant. Makes a perfect holiday gift for the baker in your life!

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Price: $24
Where to buy:?Williams Sonoma

Best plastic cookie cutters: R&M International Snowflake Cookie Cutters

R&M International Snowflake Cookie Cutters
R&M International Snowflake Cookie Cutters. Photo by Amazon

These cookie cutters nest together and fit in the practical plastic storage container that is included for easy storage.? These plastic cookie cutters are dishwasher safe, and come in a variety of shapes if snowflakes aren’t your vibe.

Price: $20
Where to buy:?Amazon

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Love a deal? Us too. Explore?Postmedia’s latest coupon codes?from top brands we know and love.

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