The holidays have a magical way of pulling us into the kitchen, where the oven warms the house, Grandma’s Christmas dishes make their annual appearance, and every whiff of cinnamon and chocolate sparks a little joy and nostalgia. It’s also the season when the right tools, whether for your own kitchen or as thoughtful gifts, can turn a simple idea into something fun, stress-free, and truly memorable. This year, our KrusteazⓇ R&D team peeked into their own kitchen drawers and cupboards to share the tools, gadgets, and ingredients they rely on most.
Whether you’re refreshing your kitchen, hunting for thoughtful gifts, or looking for that one tool to spark a new baking tradition, you’ll find plenty to explore on our holiday gift guide. And because our team is always discovering new favorites, this list will be updated every year.
Small Tools That Make A Big Difference
Stocking stuffers? Check. Drawer heroes? Double check.
Our R&D team has a shared motto: “Never underestimate the power of a small tool.” These are the tiny-but-mighty essentials that get used all year long — especially when baking days get busy.
Mini essentials like silicone spatulas, whisks, and tongs are favorites for quick mixing jobs, scraping every bit of batter from a bowl, or cooking in smaller portions. They take up almost no space but earn their keep daily.
And then there are the classics our team is never without:
- Microplanes: Add a punch of flavor with finely grated citrus zest, hard cheese, or spices.
- Plastic bench scrapers: A multitasking hero for spreading batters, scooping dough, or cleaning your work surface without scratching.
- Offset spatulas: Smooth frosting, lift delicate pastries, or gently level batter in pans. A must-have for any baker who loves precision.
- Cookie scoops (assorted sizes): Portion cookies, muffins, or pancake batter consistently.
- Fun little helpers like strawberry or avocado slicers: Perfect for quick prep, these playful tools save time while adding a touch of convenience and delight to your kitchen routine.
“I love my small, but mighty tools! Mini spatulas, mini whisks, mini tongs. I find them easier to handle and take up less precious space in the drawers.” – Katie L.
Tools That Elevate Your Baking
Some kitchen tools do more than just get the job done; they inspire creativity, refine your technique, and help every baked good feel a little more special. These are the items our R&D team reaches for when they want to take their holiday baking to the next level.
Here are the team’s favorites:
- Dry milk powder: A secret ingredient that makes cakes lighter, deepens brown-butter flavor, adds toasty notes, and generally makes baked goods taste more… finished. Every baker needs this in their pantry.
- Flake salt and coarse sugar crystals: These finishing touches add bakery-style sparkle to muffins, cookies, and other holiday treats. Sometimes it’s the little details that make everything feel special.
- An expandable multi-wheel pastry cutter: If precision makes your heart sing, this tool is a game-changer. It slices even lattice strips and perfectly sized cinnamon rolls.
- Financier pans: A little fancy, totally fabulous. These pans create elegant, individual portions with an effortlessly professional look, perfect for gifting treats during the holidays.
- Digital kitchen scale: Accuracy is everything when it comes to baking. A scale ensures even portions, perfectly measured ingredients, and consistent results every time. For bakers who love precision, it’s indispensable.
- Digital long-stem candy thermometer: From caramel to sugar glazes, this tool takes the guesswork out of tricky recipes. Your candies, caramels, and frostings will come out flawless.
“Expandable pastry cutters are great for making perfect lattice pie crust strips, even brownie pieces from a sheet pan, even thickness when cutting out cinnamon rolls. This will make your Krusteaz baked items look professional without the fuss!” – Mark D.
Kitchen Powerhouses
These are the appliances and equipment that earn their place on your countertop because they handle the big jobs, take on holiday baking marathons, and make every recipe feel a little more effortless. For our R&D team, these are the “can’t-live-without” kitchen powerhouses that turn baking from a chore into a joy.
- The trusty stand mixer: It’s a staple for a reason. Whether it’s whipping meringues, kneading dough, or churning out batch after batch of cookies, this mixer is holiday magic in appliance form. Even for bakers who don’t keep it on the counter year-round, pulling it out feels like a celebration.
- The everyday air fryer: You may not think of it as a baking tool, but our team uses theirs daily. It’s perfect for warming pastries, reheating leftovers without losing crispness, and even baking small-batch treats.
- Hand mixers: Sometimes you want power without the commitment of hauling out the big mixer. Hand mixers are perfect for smaller batches, weekday baking, or whipping up Grandma’s holiday cake.
- Cast iron skillets: Believe it or not, but cast iron is incredible for baking. Skillet cakes, skillet brownies, skillet cobblers… once you make one, you’ll understand why our team considers cast iron a holiday must-have.
- Sous vide water baths: A more unexpected addition, but beloved by the precision bakers on our team. They guarantee perfectly cooked custards, cheesecakes with zero cracks, and tender anything.
“I don’t have the counter space to have my KitchenAidⓇ mixer out permanently. During the holidays, with more holiday events and get-togethers, it seems like I see my mixer out a fair share. I love it when I see it out. It means fun, it means special occasions to me and my girls. It makes me happy!” – Conita L.
Everyday Convenience Tools
Baking is as much about the journey as it is about the finished treat. These are the practical, go-to items our R&D team relies on to make baking, storing, and sharing treats easier.
Here are their favorites:
- 9×13 pans with lids: The ultimate transport solution for brownies, bars, or casseroles. These pans make it simple to take your baked goods to potlucks, parties, or holiday gatherings without worrying about spills or messy mishaps.
- Snap-and-stack storage containers: Perfect for layering cookies, bars, or pastries. These versatile containers make it easy to carry, store, and share baked treats, while keeping everything fresh and neatly organized.
- Precut parchment sheets: A time-saving hero. No more cutting or messy cleanup — just line your baking trays and go. Ideal for cookies, biscuits, and any recipe where quick prep and easy cleanup are key.
- Wire racks: Ideal for cooling, glazing, or giving your baked goods a perfect finish. A simple tool that saves your treats from overcooking and keeps them looking picture-perfect.
Bake Something Special With Krusteaz
Now that your kitchen is stocked with our R&D team’s favorite tools, why not put them to work? Here are a few delicious ways to use your go-to Krusteaz mixes — and maybe start a new holiday tradition.
- Muffin Tray Surprise: Use one of our muffin mixes to bake a batch of muffins to share with family and friends. Use cookie scoops for even batter portions. Then sprinkle coarse sugar crystals on top before baking for a bakery-style finish.
- Skillet Cakes or Rustic Loaf Cakes: With a pound cake mix and a cast‑iron skillet, you can bake a rustic loaf cake or skillet cake — warm, cozy, and perfect for sharing. Add nuts, dried fruit, or a drizzle of glaze for extra holiday cheer.
- Holiday Breakfast Pancakes or Waffles: Use Krusteaz Pancake and Waffle mixes for a holiday morning treat. Whip up the batter with a hand mixer or spatula for ease, and use a waffle maker, a griddle, or cast‑iron skillet for a cozy, comforting feel. Add finishing touches like a dusting of powdered sugar or flaked sugar for extra festivity.
From Our Kitchen To Your
With the right tools in your kitchen, you can make every bake feel a little easier, a little more creative, and a lot more joyful. From mini spatulas and cookie scoops to stand mixers and cast‑iron skillets, these are the items the Krusteaz R&D team reaches for again and again.
So grab a whisk, preheat the oven, and let these tried-and-true favorites make your holiday season, and every baking day that follows, delightfully sweet!
