Sure, the holiday season is about reflecting on the past year and spending time with family and friends. But let’s be honest—it’s also about the food, from holiday roasts to crowd-pleasing appetizers to brunch for company. And in the season of cookie swaps, there’s no better time of year to show off your baking skills. Here are five kitchen tools you should get to improve your cookie-making game.
Sure, mixing bowls aren’t the sexiest item in a home cook’s kitchen, but they’re one of the most important—especially when it comes to making cookie dough. The Pyrex Smart Essentials Mixing Bowl Set with Colored Lids are heavy but not cumbersome, and their tight-fitting lids come in handy for making dough in advance. Also notable: These bowls didn’t break when we dropped them from countertop height during an abuse test.
Measuring spoons can make or break a baked good recipe. In our measuring spoons test, we found that one teaspoon measure of the seven sets we tested held roughly 32 percent more flour than it should have, and another held a hefty 41 percent more. The Cuisipro Stainless Steel 5-Piece Measuring Spoons was the most accurate set in the bunch. Its metal construction is sturdy, and a ball-chain connector keeps all the spoons together (but it’s also easy to open if you want to wash or use just one spoon).
Want perfect cookies? Invest in a high-quality cookie sheet. Some cookie sheets bake unevenly and warp, not to mention let cookies burn, stick, or spread into blobs. The Vollrath Wear-Ever Cookie Sheet (Natural Finish) is solid and roomy, with raised edges on two sides that make it easier to maneuver (no more sticking your thumbs into just-baked cookies as you remove them from the oven). Its thick aluminum resists warping, and cookies baked evenly across the sheet and from top to bottom.
If you’re worried about your cookies sticking to baking sheets, use a silicone baking mat. This reusable alternative to parchment paper creates a nonstick baking surface that you can use, wash, and reuse. The DeMarle Silpat U.S. Half-Size Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat performs beautifully, fits perfectly in a baking sheet, and is dishwasher-safe. It’s a great buy (or gift!) for anyone who loves to bake.
Sure, you can use a zipper-lock bag or a random tin to store leftover cookies. But the OXO Good Grips Pop Storage Container, Big Square 4 Quart will actually help maintain their freshness. Its airtight seal will keep your cookies in tip top shape, and its clear (BPA-free) jar will show off your baking. The container also comes in several sizes and shapes to suit your cookie-baking habits.
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