Baking may seem simple. Combine flour, a pinch of salt, shortening, and voilà: You have a pie crust. But as any real baker knows, there's a lot more that goes into it.
To transform your simple pie crust into something truly spectacular, you'll need a few more tools to get the job done. In this case: a Harry Potter cookbook, a two-sided pie pan for when you can't decide on just one, and a macaron-making kit. Because in reality, there really is no limit to the amount of great kitchen supplies and accessories that can make baking easier and more creative, all the while enhancing the final product.
And for the family and friends of bakers, that is great news. Holiday coming up? Find out what kind of dessert treat tool she's had her eye on, and wrap it up as a surprise. Birthday around the corner? Make sure to order her next-favorite set of cookie cutters. There's always going to be a better or greater tool out there that your baking bestie is dying to have.
To help you find a gift your baker friend will love, we've put together a list of awesome baking-related gifts that are sure to please. If you're lucky, you might even get to taste the first batch of whatever delicious treats she makes with them!
Harry Potter Cookbook
The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook , $11.72, Amazon
With instructions for butterbeer, treacle tart, and pumpkin pasties, this book includes more than150 Harry Potter-themed treats for your baking friend to make. Just try to dissuade her from trying her hand at Hagrid's infamous rock cakes.
Split Decision Pie Divider
Split In 2 Pie Pan Divider , $16.90, Amazon
That's right, folks. Your friend can now make two different pies at the same time.This pie pan divider is a truly spectacular gift for the indecisive chef. Torn between two recipe fillings? Make 'em both! Want to try out a recipe before you commit? Make only half a pie! The added bonus? Using the middle divider means extra crust.
Pie Chain
Perfect Crust Pie Weight Chain , $16.99, Amazon
Like most bakers, your pal is probably pretty dedicated to perfection. And when it comes to pies, perfect starts with a consistent pie crust. This pie chain will help your baking bestie do just that, by adding much-needed weight to her crusts. And unlike individual pie weights, which can get lost, this pie chain is easier to manage (and wash)!
Oven Pull
Joie Silicone Rack Puller , $5.57, Amazon
This. Thing. Is. Amazing. As true bakers know, one weirdly annoying part of baking is getting the hot oven rack out far enough so you can reach your pie, cake, or cookies. Enter: the oven pull. This super-cute (and inexpensive) silicon tool will allow your baker friend to easily pull out the oven rack without accidentally sticking her oven mitt in her still-soft cookies. Score!
Cake Batter Dispenser
Cake Batter Dispenser and Mixing System , $21.99, Amazon
This handy little tool will completely change your friend's baking game. Not only will this gadget make putting batter into cupcake pans a breeze (and mess-free), but its built-in mixer makes it perfect for other treats like pancakes, muffins, and puddings, too. No more batter drips across the pan!
On-Trend Cookie Cutters
Star Wars Rebel Friends Cookie Cutters , $13.62, Amazon
Sure, your friend loves to bake, but we're willing to bet she has some other interests, too. Help her combine her love of cookies with her love of intergalactic heroes with these adorable cookie cutters. Your gal not a Star Wars fan? Don't worry, we also found sets for Doctor Who , Minecraft, and Marvel Comics, too!
Baking Stone
15" Square Cordierite Baking/Pizza Stone , $38.41, Amazon
Although baking stones are typically used for the perfect homemade pizza, they have a lot of other uses, too. This stone is terrific because it can be used to make everything from bread and cookies to crispy quesadillas! At a half-inch tall, this model is thicker than the usual stone, which means it's less likely to crack over time.
Mini Cheesecake Pan
Norpro 3919 Deluxe Mini Cheesecake Pan , $19.24, Amazon
Cheesecake is great. Mini cheesecakes, on the other hand? They're irresistible. The average baker uses a regular muffin tin for her cute lil' minis, but your friend is better than that. She deserves more. From now on, your friend will only make the most professional minis in the world with the help of this fantastic invention. With a non-stick coating and removable bottoms, this pan is the stuff of baking dreams.
Silicone Yolk Separator
Taidea Silicone Yolk Out Separator , $9.99, Amazon
Even some of the most experienced chefs have trouble separating egg yolks from whites — until now. This handy yolk-separating gadget will make creating a meringue a total breeze.
Macaron-Making Kit
Lekue Macaron Kit Baking Sheet , $39.99, Amazon
If your bestie likes taking on next-level baking challenges, this is the perfect gift for her. After all, anyone can master the art of pies or cookies, but how many can bring homemade macarons to a party? This kit has everything your friend needs for her next obsession, including a mat, decomax pen, and fun recipe booklet.
Apple Peeler
Johnny Apple Peeler , $13.99, Amazon
If you've ever peeled a pie's worth of apples by hand, you know what a tedious task it can be. This tool peels, slices, and cores apples as easily as possible — making the pie making process just that much more enjoyable.
Scraper & Chopper
OXO Good Grips Scraper & Choppe r, $9.99, Amazon
An essential baking tool, the scraper is one of those things that once you get one, you don't know how you ever lived without it. Featuring a comfortable grip and stainless steel finish, this tool is perfect for working with and sectioning dough. It even has etched measurements right on the surface! Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.
Images: SBenitez/Moment/Getty Images; Amazon (12)
