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Gear guide

Holiday baking kit

Pies for Thanksgiving, cut-out cookies for Christmas, a braided loaf for the table: holiday baking asks for a few tools you might not use the rest of the year. These are the ones our holiday bakes use most. Gather them before the rush and the big day goes smoother.

Counted across our 14 holiday bakes (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Easter and other holiday recipes that bake in the oven). The ranking counts how many of our recipes use each item; it isn't a product test or review.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Brands are suggestions; any similar item works.

  1. Wire cooling rack

    Needed in 12 of 14 recipes (86%), nice to have in 1 more

    Air underneath keeps bottoms crisp instead of soggy.

    Suggested: Checkered Chef

    See price on Amazon: Wire cooling rack (opens Amazon)

  2. Half sheet pan

    Needed in 12 of 14 recipes (86%)

    Heavy aluminum bakes evenly and won't warp in a hot oven.

    Suggested: Nordic Ware

    See price on Amazon: Half sheet pan (opens Amazon)

  3. Nesting mixing bowls

    Needed in 12 of 14 recipes (86%)

    A few sizes cover mixing, marinating and proofing.

    Suggested: Pyrex

    See price on Amazon: Nesting mixing bowls (opens Amazon)

  4. Measuring cups and spoons

    Needed in 12 of 14 recipes (86%)

    Accurate dry measures for baking.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Measuring cups and spoons (opens Amazon)

  5. Rolling pin

    Needed in 9 of 14 recipes (64%)

    Even thickness for crusts and cut-out cookies.

    Suggested: J.K. Adams

    See price on Amazon: Rolling pin (opens Amazon)

  6. Parchment paper sheets

    Needed in 8 of 14 recipes (57%)

    Nothing sticks and cleanup takes seconds.

    Suggested: Reynolds

    See price on Amazon: Parchment paper sheets (opens Amazon)

  7. Balloon whisk

    Needed in 7 of 14 recipes (50%)

    Smooth batters and sauces with no lumps.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Balloon whisk (opens Amazon)

  8. 9-inch pie dish

    Needed in 6 of 14 recipes (43%)

    Glass or ceramic lets you check the bottom crust is browned.

    Suggested: Pyrex

    See price on Amazon: 9-inch pie dish (opens Amazon)

  9. Pastry blender

    Needed in 6 of 14 recipes (43%)

    Cuts cold butter into flour for flaky layers.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Pastry blender (opens Amazon)

  10. Bench scraper

    Needed in 4 of 14 recipes (29%), nice to have in 2 more

    Moves and divides dough cleanly.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Bench scraper (opens Amazon)

  11. Stand mixer

    Needed in 4 of 14 recipes (29%)

    Creams butter and kneads dough hands-free.

    Suggested: KitchenAid

    See price on Amazon: Stand mixer (opens Amazon)

  12. Hand mixer

    Needed in 4 of 14 recipes (29%)

    Whips cream and creams butter without a big machine.

    Suggested: Cuisinart

    See price on Amazon: Hand mixer (opens Amazon)

Nice to have later

These show up in the same recipes, but more often as optional than as needed.

How we count

Every Simmerbee recipe lists the gear it uses, and marks the extras that help but aren't required as "nice to have". This list counts the recipes that need each item and ranks the items by that count. As recipes are added, the counts update on their own.

More gear guides

Starter kitchen: the 15 things you'll use mostWhat you need to start bakingSmall-kitchen essentialsAll kitchen gear