Happy gift guide season! I love sharing my favorite kitchen finds, and this 2017 kitchen gift guide is a collection of the tools and gadgets I reach for again and again. Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be posting more guides for Black Friday and the holidays, so consider this a curated list of kitchen essentials that I personally use, enjoy, and recommend.
Below are items that work well for cooks, bakers, entertainers, and anyone who appreciates well-made kitchen gear. Many of these pieces are staples in my own kitchen and make wonderful gifts because they’re both useful and beautiful.
HowSweetEats 2017 Kitchen Gift Guide:
Marble Pastry Slab. I have two marble slabs and they’re indispensable for baking. They look great on a countertop and provide a cool, sturdy surface for rolling dough, chocolate work, and food photography. They’re heavy, but that weight makes them durable and practical for daily use.
Spiralizer. A spiralizer is one of those tools that quickly becomes part of everyday cooking—zoodles and vegetable noodles are here to stay. It’s also great for shredding apples, making slaws, and preparing vegetables in fun, healthy ways. If you can only add one small appliance, this is a smart choice.
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment. This attachment lets you make small-batch ice cream without buying a separate appliance. It fits onto a stand mixer and includes a chilled bowl plus a few small parts for assembly. I use it a handful of times a year and love how compact and convenient it is.
Meyer Lemon Tree. A delightful and unexpected gift for someone who loves cooking and fresh flavors. A potted citrus tree brightens a kitchen and provides fragrant lemons for baking, cocktails, and savory dishes. It’s on my wish list for good reason.
French Rolling Pin. I prefer French rolling pins without handles—they provide better control and don’t loosen over time. I use mine regularly for pizza and pastry, and it’s my go-to over handled pins for consistent results.
Metallic Copper KitchenAid Mixer. A stand mixer is a classic gift, and the metallic copper finish is particularly stunning. It looks beautiful on the counter and doubles as a functional appliance and decor piece. If you’re giving a special gift, this one feels luxe without being over the top.
MacKenzie-Childs Casserole Cooker. Their cookware is decorative yet functional—perfect for serving and entertaining. I save these pieces for special occasions because they’re so pretty on the table, but they’re also durable enough for regular use when you want something pretty to display.
Cuisinart Multi-Cook Slow Cooker. One of my most-used appliances, this slow cooker has a sauté/brown function so you can sear meat right in the pot before slow-cooking. It’s versatile and convenient—one of the reasons I haven’t felt the need for a different multi-cooker.
Fancy Kitchen Hand Soap. A small luxury that makes a big difference by the sink. A decorative soap dispenser or a nicely packaged hand soap is an affordable, thoughtful gift that everyone appreciates but few splurge on themselves.
CeraStone Nonstick Skillets. These white nonstick skillets are the ones I use for both photos and everyday cooking. They’re reliable for sautéing and frying, and they make a lovely alternative to traditional cast iron when you want a lighter look.
KitchenAid Proline Series Blender. I’ve recommended this blender many times because it performs exceptionally well—powerful, consistent, and available in attractive finishes including white. It handles everything from smoothies to soups with ease.
Baking Steel. After years of using a pizza stone, I switched to a baking steel and noticed a major difference in crust crispiness and heat transfer. It’s ideal for anyone who loves homemade pizza and wants a professional-style bake at home.
Fish Spatula. My most-used spatula—versatile, thin, and flexible enough for delicate tasks. It’s not just for fish: I use it for flipping, scraping, and transferring a wide variety of foods. Keep a couple on hand; they disappear into nonstop use.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven. A true kitchen workhorse and an investment piece that lasts a lifetime. I use mine nearly every day for soups, roasts, braises, and casseroles. The matte finishes are particularly lovely and sit beautifully on the stovetop.
Nespresso Creatista Espresso Maker. For coffee lovers who enjoy specialty drinks at home, this machine makes it easy to create espresso-based drinks with milk texturing for latte art. It’s a treat that many won’t buy for themselves but would cherish as a gift. Note that it focuses on espresso.
Gold Flatware. A set of matte gold flatware elevates any table and makes a great gift for someone who entertains. If a full set feels like too much, consider gifting a few serving pieces to add a touch of glamour without committing to an entire collection.
Gilded Rim Glasses. Beautiful and delicate wine and cocktail glasses that really stand out on a table. They’re fragile and best hand-washed, but the visual impact is worth the extra care for special occasions.
Williams Sonoma GoldTouch Sheet Pans. My go-to sheet pans for baking—these bake evenly and look nice enough to leave out when entertaining. A practical, high-use gift for bakers and home cooks.
[This is not a sponsored post. Any items I own were purchased by me. Some links are affiliate links. Thank you for reading!]