It’s about to be my and many others’ favorite time of year: Holiday baking season. Sure, sure, there’s a turkey to eat soon, followed by the best nap of the year, lots of gifts to wrap, worship services to attend, some ball drop in New York City and blah blah blah — CAN WE JUST CUT TO THE COOKIES?! Oh, and before you think I’m prejudiced toward cookies, feel free to give me all the pumpkin rolls, pies, cakes, fudge, rock candy and brittle, too. Hey, they don’t call it the “most wonderful time of the year for nothin’.
Which leads us to our list today, an amalgamation of baking necessities, if you will. I’ve got pie weights (yep, that’s a thing), stacked cooling racks for all the space and all of the decorating supplies you’ll ever need … tucked away in the cutest case ever. Roll out your dough, build your own gingerbread house from the ground up and share your creations in the cutest boxes and tins ever. Your baking has never been better.
Worth Its Weight
Despite looking like tiny, delicious candies, these are — in fact — not edible. They are designed, however, to help with other delicious things. Call them pie weights or baking beans or whatever other cute term strikes your fancy, but just drop them in your unbaked pie crust (on top of parchment paper, please) to prevent your crust from over-expanding.
Sharing Is Caring
Let’s be honest: You always make too many goodies during the holidays, don’t you? (I’m not sure you’re doing it right unless that’s the case.) This set of 12 kraft boxes comes festively decorated and ready to share your bounty with your friends, neighbors and colleagues. Remember, calories shared are calories spared … from your own waistline. Think of it like getting a jump on your New Year’s resolutions.
Cut It Out
There’s one time in the year — and only one time — when I love cut-out cookies and it’s definitely Christmas. This eight-piece winter-themed set includes a snowflake, Santa, stocking, candy cane and great decorateable (totally made that up) options like mittens, Christmas trees and gingerbread men. Snag them here and spare yourself the aggravation of trying to find the last set at your grocery store.
Cool Your Jets
I have the best intentions when it comes to baking: Start early, space everything out and have that lightly glowing look they illustrate in commercials. What usually happens is quite different: Flour everywhere, sweat from hours in the kitchen and 14 different recipes going at once. This collapsible baking rack will help with the last one, at least, giving me plenty of room for cooling with a smart vertical design.
For Good Measure
I can’t be the only one who starts cooking or baking and flies into a panic: “How many cups are in a pint?! Somebody answer me!” (It’s two, by the way.) And, I know that thanks to this magnetic conversion chart. You’ll never have to hunt for that paper you stuck in a recipe book again. This sticks right to your fridge with dry and liquid volumes, oven temperatures and more.
Roll Out The Mat
You’re going to go through a lot of parchment paper, O.K.? Accept it, embrace it and grab a roll every time you go to the grocery store. Or, grab these food-safe baking mats. These come in a set of three (or four), have assorted sizes (no cutting required) and are oven safe up to 480 degrees. Put the sprays and oils away; you’ve got this covered.
Make Or Bake
The holidays are not the time to run short on baking pans and cookie sheets. Stock up now with this 10-piece set that includes a baking pan, pizza pan, small cookie sheet, two round pans, a square pan, loaf pan, big cookie sheet and 12- and 24-cup muffin pans. The ceramic nonstick coating is worry-free and everything nests together for simple cabinet storage.
Piece Of Cake
I’m not saying you should open a bakery with this 236-piece decorating kit (that comes in the most adorable little case) but I’m not saying you shouldn’t either. Decorate to your heart’s content with baking cups, piping bags, fondant tools, a plethora of piping tips and even a chocolate bomb mold (IYKYK). Choose from blue or pink for less than $40.
Line-r Dance
I love the simplicity of disposable baking cups but I love the cost-effectiveness of these reusable ones, which come in a variety of colors (and shapes) in a set of 36. You’ll get square, rectangle and round options great for everything from cupcakes (duh) to mini-cheesecakes to breakfast muffins and more. These are safe for use everywhere, from the microwave and oven to the freezer and dishwasher.
Sticker Shock
There’s a great simplicity to making your own personalized labels for sharing baked goods this season, which means you can use any kind of storage container you dang well please. Choose from roughly 15 patterns and designs and then add your name for a gift that’s handmade and will never be returned … unlike those socks you stuck in their stocking.
Child’s Play
Kids love to help in the kitchen but you don’t always want to turn them loose with your good stuff. This 30-piece baking set is designed with little hands in mind and each piece is completely functional. You’ll get tiny human-sized spatulas, a whisk mixer, brush utensil, rolling pin and baking pan as well as cupcake liners, chocolate molds and more. Go ahead and put your feet up; they’ve got this under control.
In Holiday Mode
If you’d rather keep all of your baking supplies adult-sized, you can do that and still impart a little Christmas cheer with these holiday-themed spatulas. This set includes six silicone spatulas in a variety of seasonal prints. Equipped with wooden handles, these are great for everything from achieving perfect buttercream to stashing in gift sets themed around holiday baking.
Tiny Tim Tins
The authentic baked goods-sharing experience can only be completed with an actual cookie tin; you know, those thin metal boxes that your mom, your mom’s mom and your mom’s mom’s mom have always relied on. This set nests for easy storage and comes pre-decorated so all you have to do is fill it up. A window on the top of each one makes it easy to see what’s inside.
Just A Sprinkle
The world has been waiting for “ugly Christmas sweater” sprinkles and they’re finally here. This two-bottle set includes a shaker of Christmas “sequins” and another with holiday shapes perfect for your “ugly Christmas dessert.” (That’s a thing, right?) These are free of dyes, soy and gluten, are vegan and make a great alternative for decorating school treats. Grab them before they’re gone for less than $14.
On The House
Sure, you could buy one of those pre-fab gingerbread house kits. You know the ones … stale-tasting “cookie” and not enough decor? This cookie cutter set is designed to let you construct your own gingerbread house from the drywall up. (Wait, don’t use actual drywall, O.K.?) You’ll get walls, floors, windows, a chimney and other decor “cutters” to try out.
Wax On, Wax Off
Sometimes “simpler” is better, especially when the holidays are here. You have enough to do. These striped dry waxed deli paper sheets are moisture-proof, waterproof and oil-proof, and make the ideal wrapping for sharing baked treats. Just add twine. You’ll get 120 sheets for less than $10, which is about as inexpensive as you’re going to get for Christmas goodie storage.
Cut The Apron Strings
If you don’t look like Mrs. Claus baking for her toy-making elves in the run-up to Christmas, are you even a holiday baker? This set will put you in the holiday spirit immediately with a baking apron and matching dish towel, oven mitt and tote. All four pieces are included for just $12. This is the perfect “white elephant” gift, too.
The Power Of The Pin
If you aren’t fortunate enough to have your grandmother’s rolling pin, I reckon this rolling pin with adjustable thickness rings will have to do. It’s actually a really nice set with the dough rolling pin, a baking mat and scrapers and cutters to save you time and help you produce the best-looking desserts. The adjustable rings are ideal for pizzas, pies, tarts, pancakes, pastries and more.
Break The Mold
You guys, you’re going to have the cutest tiny chocolates or jelly candies with these mini-silicone molds in the shape of Christmas trees and gingerbread men. Each one is non-stick, flexible (for easy “popping”) and works at nearly all temperatures from  -40℉ to 446℉. Both trays accommodate dozens of bite-sized morsels, which is going to save you heaps of time.
When The Dust Settles
You know those desserts they have in fancy restaurants, the ones that look like they’ve been dusted ever so gently by tiny fairies passing through the kitchen? Yeah, this dusting wand will give you the same effect … with no flying critters. Use it for sugar, flour and spices to deliver an even and perfectly dusted effect. This has a perfect five-star rating on Amazon.
Press Ahead
I love the look you can achieve with a cookie press … even though I’m wholly intimidated by the entire contraption. This one from OXO is well-conceived with a non-slip base to keep the press steady and a clear body to show how much dough you have left. The entire thing comes apart for easy filling and cleaning. You’ll get 12 stainless steel disks to create a variety of patterns, too.
It’s The Mitts
Are you all baked out yet? Say it ain’t so! We’re just getting started … with the season at least, even though we’re wrapping up our list. This set of two Christmas-themed oven mitts will come in handy with all of the time you’re about to spend in the kitchen. It would also make a great start for a Christmas gift for a colleague or teacher; just add a spatula and baking ingredients, tied together with Christmas string.