Mother’s Day Gifts for Moms Who Love to Cook
Sourdough bread in the making. My mom passed on her love of baking and cooking to me.
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My mom loves to cook, and if you’re reading this, chances are your mom (or mother of your children, depending on who you’re shopping for) loves to cook too. I’m not one to gatekeep, so I put together this guide to share all of the kitchen tools and gadgets that my mom either has (and loves) or has been eyeing. Some of these things have even served as Mother’s Day gifts to my mom in years past. I’ve also sprinkled in some items that I have or am hoping to own one day (thanks to my mom, I, too, love to cook).
I’ve organized this guide by item type so you can zero in on the perfect present.
Kitchen Appliances
The backbone of any kitchen, appliances are what transform simple ingredients into delightful dishes. In this section, I’m going to focus on countertop appliances because I have a hunch that you’re not looking to buy your mom a new oven or fridge.
01 - KitchenAid Stand Mixer | 02 - KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment | 03 - KitchenAid Citrus Juicer Attachment | 04 - KitchenAid Hand Mixer | 05 - Cuisinart Food Processor | 06 - Vitamix Blender | 07 - Vitamix Immersion Blender | 08 - Instant Pot | 09 - Zojirushi Bread Machine | 10 - Ninja Air Fryer | 11 - Cuisinart Popcorn Maker
1. KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
As versatile as it is iconic, the KitchenAid stand mixer is a workhorse of the kitchen. From whipping egg whites to stiff peaks to kneading bread dough to perfect elasticity, it simplifies some of the most arduous tasks. When my dad gave my mom her first KitchenAid mixer back in the early 2000s, I’m not sure who was happier, her or him, because the mixer meant my dad no longer had to beat butter and sugar into frosting.
2. KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
One of the things I love most about the KitchenAid mixer is that you can buy attachments, such as this ice cream bowl and paddle, that expand its capabilities beyond mixing, whisking, and kneading. If the mom you’re shopping for already owns a KitchenAid mixer, an attachment can be a thoughtful (and fairly unique) gift.
3. KitchenAid Citrus Juicer Attachment
Don’t worry, I’m not going to go crazy with the KitchenAid attachments, but I couldn’t not share this one. This citrus juicer attachment has my mom’s wholehearted endorsement. Any time she makes a batch of her famous lemonade, she busts it out because who wants to juice a ton of lemons by hand?
4. KitchenAid Hand Mixer
Intended to complement, not replace, a stand mixer is a hand mixer. It’s ideal for those situations where a stand mixer is a tad overkill, such as whipping up only a couple of egg whites or making a small batch of whipped cream.
5. Cuisinart Food Processor
A food processor is one of those appliances that you don’t truly understand its utility until you own one. My mom used to spend 20 – 30 minutes slicing up all of the vegetables for her Thanksgiving stuffing. Now, with the help of her food processor, it takes her less than 5 minutes.
6. Vitamix 5200
There are blenders, and then there are Vitamixes. Powerful and dependable, Vitamixes can blend just about anything into a decadently smooth texture. Use it to puree soups, whip up a smoothie, or even make your own nut butter. If you decide to purchase this, I recommend buying a tamper as well (it’s super useful when blending thicker mixtures, such as smoothie bowls).
7. Vitamix Immersion Blender
An immersion blender has the same relationship to a blender that a hand mixer has to a stand mixer: it complements without replacing. An immersion blender can be used to lightly blend up soup in a pot or to make yourself a single serving of a smoothie. It’s also great for making sauces and condiments, such as mayonnaise.
8. Instant Pot
A jack-of-all-trades, the Instant Pot can do everything from pressure cooking to slow cooking to sautéing to making yogurt and so much more. It’d make a lovely gift for someone with limited counter and/or cupboard space (that’s why I got one).
9. Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Machine
An often overlooked appliance, a bread machine is an ideal pick for the “mom who has everything.” This mighty machine handles every step of the bread-making process, from kneading to rising to baking, allowing you to make homemade bread without breaking a sweat.
10. Ninja Air Fryer
Here’s something that my mom (and I) have been eyeing: an air fryer. This appliance is beloved for its ability to quickly heat and crisp food, particularly frozen items like fries and chicken nuggets.
11. Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air Popcorn Maker
Admittedly, this is much less utilitarian than the other appliances in this section, but if the mom you’re shopping for loves popcorn, she’ll love this (trust me, I’m a popcorn fiend). I’ve owned my Cuisinart air popper for quite a few years now, and whenever I’m about to watch a movie, I pull it out to make myself a tasty snack. The popcorn it makes tastes so much better than the microwave kind. Plus, you can truly make it your own by adding as little or as much butter and salt as you like.
Oh, look, a carousel with all of the appliances!
Cookware & Bakeware
Perhaps the mom you’re shopping for already owns all of the appliances that her heart desires. If that’s the case, then might I suggest some cookware and/or bakeware?
01 - Le Creuset Dutch Oven | 02 - Le Creuset Cast Iron Skillet | 03 - Made In Stainless Set | 04 - Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel Frying Pan | 05 - Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Set | 06 - Nordic Ware Baking Sheet Set | 07 - Anchor Hocking Glass Bread Pans | 08 - Le Creuset Rectangular Casserole Dish
1. Le Creuset Dutch Oven
A Le Creuset Dutch oven might be an investment, but it’s a worthwhile one. My mom has owned her Le Creuset for years, and it’s still going strong. They’re wonderful for soups, stews, roasts, breads, and so much more. I use my Dutch oven at least once (but usually more) each week. I’ve linked to Le Creuset’s round Dutch ovens, but they’re available in other shapes as well.
2. Le Creuset Cast Iron Skillet
Continuing on the Le Creuset train, my next gift recommendation is their signature cast iron skillet. Much like their Dutch oven, their skillet is versatile, perfect for sauteeing vegetables, searing meat, or even baking cornbread.
3. Made In Stainless Set
Everyone should have a good set of stainless steel cookware, such as this 10-piece set from Made In. From a 10-inch frying pan to an 8-quart stock pot, it includes the most commonly used pots and pans. If the entire set is a bit more than you’d like to spend, you can also purchase individual stainless steel pots and pans.
4. Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel Frying Pan
I own (and love) this Made In carbon steel frying pan. Safe up to 1200°F and naturally non-stick, it beautifully sears vegetables and meat alike. I also like to use it when frying an egg because the egg doesn’t stick to the pan, something which I can’t say about most pans.
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5. Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper 7-Piece Set
If you feel like splurging, this 7-piece* set of hand-hammered copper pans and pots makes for a stunning gift. Each piece is lined with nonreactive tin and crafted from a single sheet of copper. What makes copper so special? It heats quickly and evenly, and it’s responsive to temperature changes. That said, copper pans, particularly tin-lined ones, require special care and cannot be heated to high temperatures. So, they are best reserved as gifts for more experienced cooks or bakers.
*Please note that the lids are counted as individual pieces.
6. Nordic Ware Baking Sheet Set
Moving on from pots and pans, we have these beautifully crafted aluminum baking sheets from Nordic Ware. They yield an even bake and heat up nicely — I should know; I own this exact set. As an added bonus, they’re made here in America.
7. Anchor Hocking Glass Bread Pans
My mom, who is quite famous in our hometown for her baked goods, swears by her glass bread pans for quick breads, such as banana bread. They yield soft, moist loaves, and unlike their metal counterparts, they don’t overbake the edges.
8. Le Creuset Rectangular Casserole Dish
I know what you’re thinking: another Le Creuset product? What can I say? I genuinely love their products, and their casserole dishes are no exception. I’ve had my casserole dish for well over a decade (it was actually a gift from my first post-college roommate), and it has held up wonderfully. What I love most about it is that it distributes the heat evenly, ensuring that there are no hot or cold spots in whatever I’m baking. I’ve linked to their rectangular casserole dish, but Le Creuset makes casserole dishes of all shapes and sizes.
Another carousel: this one with the cookware & bakeware
Everyday Kitchen Essentials
The items in this section have everyday (or near-everyday) utility, and, perhaps more importantly for you, they’re generally more affordable than appliances or cookware.
01 - Now Designs Basic Cotton Apron | 02 - Lancaster Cast Iron Handmade Wooden Cooking Spoon | 03 - LorisArm Silicone Spatula Set | 04 - Kuhn Rikon Silicone Whisk | 05 - Acorn Bluff Utensil Holder | 06 - Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers | 07 - Caraway Ceramic-Coated Glass Food Storage Containers | 08 - Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls Set | 09 - Wüsthof Classic Color Knife Block with Knives | 10 - Lancaster Cast Iron Handmade Wooden Cutting Board
1. Now Designs Basic Cotton Apron
Every home cook should have at least one (but ideally a couple) aprons. There are a ton of aprons to choose from, but my go-to brand is Now Designs. I love their basic cotton apron because, in addition to being durable and machine washable, it has an adjustable neck strap, making it easy to take on and off. I’ve linked to their solid color options, but their aprons also come in more whimsical designs, such as this one festooned with wild mushrooms or this one with flowers and watering cans. My personal favorite (and the one I own) is this lemon-bedecked one.
2. Handmade Wooden Cooking Spoon
My mom has always used wooden spoons for cooking. Not only are they a natural alternative to their plastic counterparts, but they’re also long-lasting. If you take care of your wooden spoon (e.g., by cleaning and periodically oiling it), it can last a lifetime (there’s one wooden spoon my mom owns that’s older than me).
3. Silicone Spatula Set
If the mom you’re shopping for doesn’t already own a silicone spatula, congratulations — you’ve found at least part of your Mother’s Day gift! Nothing can scrape out a bowl or measuring cup like a silicone spatula; it gets every last bit of batter and every drop of oil (well, just about).
What I love about this particular set is that it includes both a large and a small spatula. The former is useful for scraping out a bowl, and the latter is ideal for scraping out smaller areas, such as a measuring cup.
4. Kuhn Rikon Silicone Whisk
This whisk is more than just a pretty face; it’s practical. Use it when you need to whisk or whip up something but can’t use a standard metal whisk (e.g., in a non-stick or enameled pan).
5. Utensil Holder
While we’re on the topic of utensils, let’s talk about utensil holders. They keep your utensils organized and within arm’s reach of your cooking area — so much better than tossing them into a cluttered drawer. Etsy is chock full of unique, one-of-a-kind utensil holders that’d make for wonderful Mother’s Day gifts. I’m partial to this stoneware crock from Acorn Bluff; it has a timeless design.
6. Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers
Replace your mom’s all-plastic food containers with these glass ones from Rubbermaid featuring airtight, leak-proof, and BPA-free lids. What’s handy about these is that they are transparent, so you can easily see what’s stored inside them. They are also stackable, which is a huge plus when you’re working with limited fridge space.
7. Caraway Ceramic-Coated Glass Food Storage Containers
You can also go really fancy and get this set of ceramic-coated glass food storage containers from Caraway. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they also feature glass lids, as opposed to the plastic ones you find on most glass storage containers. You can choose between a 13-piece or a 22-piece set, and there are also multiple color options.
8. Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls Set
How pretty are these mixing bowls? And they come with lids. And they are stackable. They check all the boxes, as far as I’m concerned.
9. Wüsthof Classic Color Knife Block with Set of 8 Knives
My mom and I have both been using (and loving) our Wüsthof knives for years. They are quality, well-balanced knives that can last decades if properly cared for (e.g., using a honing steel and sharpening as needed). This set comes with all of the knives that most home cooks will need, and what’s more, it includes a sleek knife block. Oh, and you get to select what color you want the knife handles to be (I, personally, like the “wild blueberry” color).
10. Handmade Wooden Cutting Board
If you give someone a set of knives, they’re going to need a proper cutting board on which to use them. Enter this gorgeous handmade cutting board from Lancaster Cast Iron on Etsy. You can select from two sizes and three different wood types.
Carousel, everyday kitchen essentials edition
Kitchen Tools & Gadgets
If the mom you’re shopping for already has a well-stocked kitchen, then this is the section for you. Here, you’ll find useful, as well as time-saving, gadgets. These tools might not be necessary, but once you have them, you won’t want to live without them.
01 - OXO Garlic Press | 02 - Zakarian Mandoline | 03 - ThermoWorks Thermapen One | 04 - OXO Baker’s Dusting Wand | 05 - OXO Zester | 06 - Williams Sonoma Olivewood Bread Lame | 07 - Escali Primo Digital Food Scale | 08 - Williams Sonoma Toaster Tongs with Holder | 09 - OXO Salad Spinner | 10 - Wüsthof Pull-Apart Shears
1. OXO Garlic Press
My garlic press is one of my most-used kitchen tools. Sure, I can mince garlic by hand, but a garlic press accomplishes the task in mere seconds.
2. Zakarian Mandoline
When my mom gave me my first mandoline, I thought to myself, “What do I need this for? I already have a knife that can thinly slice vegetables.” Fast forward several years, and now, I wouldn’t want to do without my mandoline. Sure, I can hand-slice vegetables, and yes, I can even slice them thinly. But I can’t slice them as thinly or quickly as a mandoline, nor can I slice them at a consistent thickness like a mandoline.
What I love about this mandoline in particular is its safety-first design. Unlike other mandolines, where your fingers get precariously close to the (extremely) sharp blade, this mandoline keeps your fingers away from the blade — you slice by pushing down on a lever.
3. ThermoWorks Thermapen One
This instant-read thermometer is a game-changer. Wondering if that loaf of bread is done? Or whether that fish is properly cooked? Use the Thermapen to get the internal temp in mere seconds.
4. OXO Baker’s Dusting Wand
This dusting wand is perfect for the baker who has seemingly everything. It allows you to evenly dust a surface or baked good with flour, confectionery sugar, cocoa, or spices. I love using mine to add a finishing touch of powdered sugar.
5. OXO Zester
I used to think that a zester was superfluous, an unnecessary kitchen tool that did the same as the box grater I already owned. I couldn’t have been more wrong. A box grater is good for many things, but when it comes to zesting citrus or spices, it’s simply too heavy-handed, often grating too deeply (like into the bitter pith of a lemon). What I love about this zester in particular is its sturdy grip, allowing you to maintain a firm grasp while zesting.
6. Williams Sonoma Olivewood Bread Lame
If the person you’re shopping for bakes a lot of bread, then this is the gift for them. Nothing scores a loaf of bread quite like a lame. Knives have a tendency to stick to or drag the dough; a lame, which is essentially a razor blade on a wooden handle, glides effortlessly through the dough.
7. Escali Primo Digital Food Scale
Here’s another gift perfect for bread bakers (or really, any type of baker): a digital scale. Measuring your ingredients by weight vs. volume is so much easier — no need to level off or pack down anything. You simply place the ingredient on the scale until it reaches the desired weight.
8. Williams Sonoma Toaster Tongs with Holder
Okay, bear with me a second — I swear these toaster tongs are worthwhile and not some silly kitchen gadget (looking at you, banana slicer). I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s ever burned their fingertips removing toast from the toaster or gotten a bagel stuck in the toaster, but with these toaster tongs, both of those unfortunate incidents are things of the past. Now, I use the tongs to safely remove everything from the toaster, and if something gets stuck, I use the tongs to free it. What’s super convenient about this set of tongs is that it includes a magnetic holder, allowing you to mount the tongs on your toaster, fridge, or other metal appliance.
9. OXO Salad Spinner
A salad spinner makes washing lettuce and other greens so much easier. Simply add your greens to the basket, place the basket inside the bowl, cover the greens with water, let the soak for a few minutes, lift the basket out of the bowl, dump the water, return the basket to the bowl and secure the lid, and then, for the fun bit, push down on the pump to spin the basket, drying the greens in the process. No more rinsing individual leaves of lettuce and then wasting a ton of paper towels to dry them.
OXO also makes a glass and steel salad spinner, in case those are more your style.
10. Wüsthof Pull-Apart Shears
And last but not least, we have a solid pair of kitchen shears. Use them to quickly mince herbs like chives and basil or to cut parchment paper to size and shape. These ones from Wüsthof conveniently pull apart, making them a breeze to clean and sharpen.
The final carousel
And If All Else Fails…
I hope this guide was able to help you find the perfect Mother’s Day gift, but more importantly, I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day with your loved ones!
