Essential Holiday Baking Supplies for a Sweet 2025 Season

Uniform cookies are easy with the OXO Medium Cookie Scoop—during our testing, its portion size kept trays baking evenly and the soft, non-slip handle stayed comfortable through big batches. The stainless construction is dishwasher safe, so cleanup is painless after a long day of mixing and scooping. That said, the internal release can occasionally jam or leave a thin layer of dough inside, and a few users report the scraper or lever failing after limited use.

Small kitchen? The Nordic Ware Stackable Cooling Rack effectively doubles your cooling real estate; in our experience, the copper‑plated steel feels sturdy, and the snap‑in legs make stacking two racks effortless. The 16.7 x 11.5 inch footprint fits many half‑sheet pans, perfect for cookie blitzes. Keep in mind it’s hand‑wash only, the legs aren’t oven‑safe, and the copper plating or nonstick can wear if scrubbed hard. At $30, it’s a tidy, good‑looking way to manage holiday volume.

These Nordic Ware Commercial half sheets were workhorses during our review: the lightweight aluminum heats quickly and evenly, and the reinforced steel rim kept them flat at typical home temps. We love that they’re durable and won’t rust, perfect for everything from sheet-pan dinners to a blizzard of holiday cookies. Plan on hand-washing to avoid discoloration and oxidation, and skip metal utensils since the surface can scratch or feel a bit abrasive over time. A practical, long-lasting 2-pack for busy bakers.

The Silpat Half Sheet Baking Mat spared us rolls of parchment during our holiday cookie marathons, delivering a reliably nonstick surface that cleans up fast. In our testing it handled freezer flash‑chilling and high oven temps without warping, and the reuse cuts waste and long‑term cost. Be aware it’s pricier than generic mats and can arrive curled; a brief reverse‑roll helps it lie flat. If your pan isn’t perfectly flush, browning may be slightly different at the edges, but at $27.30 it’s a reusable staple we reach for constantly.

OXO’s Glass Pie Plate with Lid baked our pumpkin and pecan pies evenly, and the borosilicate glass handled temperature swings better than typical soda‑lime dishes. The two‑inch depth welcomes generous fillings, and the removable lid makes transport and short‑term storage easy. Our experience shows the vented lid isn’t airtight, some lids arrive fragile, and glass is heavier and breakable—so handle with care. For $17.99, it’s a dependable, giftable pie dish that travels well to holiday dinners.

From snack cakes to festive layer cakes, the USA Pan 9 Inch Round impressed us with its PTFE-, PFOA-, and BPA-free Americoat nonstick that released cleanly in our testing. The heavy-gauge aluminized steel feels sturdy, and the ribbed, fluted base promotes even heat and helped reduce doming in our bakes. Plan to hand-wash to protect the coating, avoid metal utensils to prevent scratches, and note the textured bottom can leave faint lines on ultra-smooth finishes like mirror glazes.

For holiday baking marathons, the KitchenAid Artisan 5 has the power we found essential—its motor handled cookie dough, buttercream, and standard bread kneads without complaint. The adjustable beater height improved bowl coverage in our testing, minimizing scrape-downs, and the color choices are a fun way to match your kitchen. Just know the tilt-head can feel tight when working with extra-large batches, it’s heavy to move or store, and the standard one-year warranty is shorter than some expect.

If you crave clean releases for sandwich bread or banana loaves, the USA Pan Loaf Pan’s proprietary silicone coating impressed us in our testing—loaves popped right out. The aluminized steel construction bakes evenly edge to center, and it’s backed by Made in USA manufacturing and a limited lifetime warranty for peace of mind. Keep it below 450°F and hand-wash only to preserve the coating, and be mindful that seams and folded corners can hold crumbs and need a thorough scrub.

If you want showpiece pies for the holidays, the Emile Henry Pie Dish excelled in our testing: gentle, even heat produced beautifully browned sides and evenly set fillings. The tall 2.25 inch walls offer extra capacity for deep-dish apple or piled-high meringue, and the hard, slick glaze releases cleanly for easy serving and cleanup. Ceramic can deliver a slightly less-crispy bottom than metal pans for some recipes, and it’s heavier, more fragile, and pricier than basic metal or glass options.

Cheesecake season calls for reliability, and Fat Daddio’s Round Springform Pan impressed us with a tight‑sealing pedestal base that minimized leaking in water baths. The anodized aluminum heats evenly, and the stainless‑steel latch stayed true after repeated bakes during our review. It’s a bit bulkier and heavier than bargain pans and is best hand‑washed, so plan for extra cabinet space and care. At $34.99, it feels pro‑grade without being fussy once you get used to the heft.

Holiday reds, greens, and everything between are covered with the Americolor Nifty Fifty Kit—during our review the concentrated gels delivered bold, reliable hues with just a drop or two. The squeeze bottles make precise dosing easy for buttercream, royal icing, and macarons, so you waste less and nail repeatable colors. Our experience shows certain shades (like burgundy) may need tweaking or mixing to match expectations, and we recommend buying from reputable sellers since some customers have received damaged or unsealed bottles.

Level up holiday cookie and cupcake decorating with Wilton’s Master Tip Set—during our review, the 55 stainless-steel tips covered everything from crisp leaves to generous swirls and fine lettering. The included organizer case keeps shapes visible and tidy, and the tips are top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Note that a few larger tips need a bigger coupler that isn’t in the box, and some users find certain tips trickier to dispense or prefer buying just their favorite shapes.

When we wanted steady, even heat for braises and no‑knead bread, the Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven delivered, with enameled cast iron that holds heat like a champ. The 6‑quart size is perfect for family stews and holiday batches, and it’s far more affordable than many premium brands. That said, it’s heavy, enamel can chip if banged or scraped with metal, and some units arrive with defects—inspect on delivery. At $99.99, it’s everyday performance without the luxury markup.

Ready to wow a crowd, the Nordic Ware Verry Merry Bundt Pan gave us crisp, festive detail thanks to cast aluminum that heats evenly. During our review, the 10‑cup capacity baked a family‑sized centerpiece, and with proper greasing the premium nonstick released cleanly. The intricate pattern does demand care—tap the batter into crevices and let it cool before unmolding—and it’s hand‑wash only to preserve the finish. At $38, it’s a holiday showpiece, though abrasive cleaning can shorten nonstick life.

OXO's Angled Measuring Cup Set became a holiday prep staple in our testing—the patented angled surface lets you read from above as you pour, so no crouching to eye level. The 1‑, 2‑, and 4‑cup sizes covered everything from melted butter to big batches of custard, and the non‑slip handles felt secure with heavy liquids. Do note the plastic feels less substantial than glass, markings can fade over time, and thicker batters may dribble if you rush. At $31.99, it’s a smart, space‑saving upgrade.

For fast cookie sessions, we love Reynolds Kitchens Pre‑Cut Parchment Sheets: the 12 x 16 size fits standard trays and the SmartGrid lines help space dough evenly. In our testing, the silicone coating released beautifully and each sheet survived up to three bakes, saving time and waste. Downsides: you only get 25 sheets per box, they’re double‑folded, and they’re rated to 425°F, so skip high‑heat roasts. At $4.19, they’re a convenient holiday helper for sheet‑pan sweets.

Want ultra-consistent cookie and pie dough? In our testing, the Joseph Joseph Duo Adjustable Rolling Pin’s color‑coded rings dial thickness from about 2 mm to 10 mm, so sugar cookies and gingerbread bake evenly. The beech wood barrel feels traditional and can be used ring‑free like a conventional pin for ultra‑thin pastry, though the wood can stick more than a chilled metal pin. Note that it’s hand‑wash only and requires occasional oiling, and some users may find the removable rings shorten the rolling surface or shift during use.

King Arthur All‑Purpose Unbleached Flour is our steady pick for holiday baking because its protein consistency—about 11.7%—yields predictable structure in cookies, cakes, and breads. During our review, doughs hydrated evenly and rose reliably, making it a versatile pantry anchor for starters and everyday bakes. It does cost more than store‑brand flour, and the paper bag can tear or leak in transit, so transfer to a canister on arrival. At $6.95, quality and non‑GMO, unbleached ingredients justify the premium.

For quick, festive gifting, these Wilton Rectangle Treat Boxes make cookies and bars look polished thanks to a clear window that shows off your bakes. The compact 8 by 3.25 inch footprint fits slices and small pastries neatly, and the low single-pack price is great for small gatherings. Our experience shows the thin paper construction can bend with heavier or stacked items, the pack only includes three boxes, and the plastic window may crease if handled roughly in transit.

For serious holiday baking, the KitchenAid Professional 600’s 575‑watt motor and 6‑quart bowl powered through double batches of gingerbread and stiff brioche in our testing. The all‑metal gears and bowl‑lift design feel rock‑solid, though the footprint and weight demand permanent counter space. We did notice some attachment‑to‑bowl gap issues—the infamous dime test—so occasional scraping may be needed for perfect incorporation. It’s pricey at $549.99, but if you bake big and often, the durability and capacity pay off.