I’m a Former Pastry Cook, and I Found 8 Holiday Baking Essentials Hiding at This Under-the-Radar Retailer

Kristin Montemarano
·7 min read

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Bonus: Some of the pieces are on sale, too.

<p>Food52</p>

Food52

As a former professional baker, a well-stocked kitchen filled with bakeware is just about as exciting as it gets for me. And with so many holidays coming around the corner,  it’s time you outfit yours before it’s too late. Luckily, Food52 has an entire section dedicated to making it easier to shop those must-have baking dishes, and some of them are even on sale up to 60% off.

From top brands like Le Creuset, to Staub, Emile Henry, and more, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite pieces to shop, whether they’re on my own wishlist or I already use and love them. No holiday kitchen could be complete without them, so don’t miss out before it’s too late. Shop eight essentials below, starting at just $24.

Best Food52 Holiday Bakeware

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets

<p>Food52</p>

Food52

$24

I couldn’t imagine a single holiday season without baking sheets. In fact, I don’t really want to imagine it. They’re complete kitchen powerhouses for me, whether I’m baking a batch of cookies for Christmas, biscuits for Thanksgiving dinner, or even toasting nuts and seeds for holiday salads or homemade nut butters for baking. And I love my Nordic Ware baking sheets for the job — they heat well and bake evenly, plus nothing really sticks. I’ve owned three in different sizes for at least five years, and they’re still in tip-top shape without any warping or discoloration. What I love about this listing at Food52 is that you can pick and choose exactly which ones you want from the smallest eighth sheet pan, all the way to the brand's big sheet pan. Many come in sets of two, which is another huge perk, since you’ll always benefit from more than one in the kitchen: trust me.

Le Creuset Stoneware Rectangular Dish with Platter Lid

<p>Food52</p>

Food52

$125

$105

This stoneware platter feels like the absolute perfect holiday baking dish. My family is always doing a myriad of appetizers, mains, and sides when family comes over. This dish works  double duty, since it has a roughly 14 by 9 inch baking dish on the bottom, and a fitted platter lid up top. Use the base to make anything from mac and cheese, to homemade spinach and cheese rolls, brownies, and more. Then, use the lid to serve up anything from those baked rolls and breads, to other holiday favorite appetizers. And everything’s made with Le Creuset’s high-quality stoneware, finished with beautiful colors to suit any kitchen. Oh, and it's on sale.

Food52 x Staub 3.5-Quart Multi-Use Braiser with Glass Lid

<p>Food52</p>

Food52

$471

$180

I love my Staub skillet so much that I couldn’t possibly survive in a kitchen without it. The brand’s cast iron gets ripping hot, and keeps its heat consistent all throughout the cooking and baking process. Plus, it’s enameled, so I worry much less about foods sticking, or having to maintain the pan. This braiser is all that and more. Its multipurpose design is key around the holidays. Use the base just as you would a skillet, whether you’re searing salmon or baking a batch of cornbread. With the addition of the lid and two helper handles on each side of the pan, it transforms into a braising dish that’s perfect for chicken, vegetables, casseroles, and more. It’s also up to 61% off on sale right now, so all the more reason to snatch one up.

Le Creuset Heritage Stoneware Pie Dish

<p>Food52</p>

Food52

$56

$45

I’ve used Le Creuset pie dishes in the past, though I’ve never purchased one for myself. With a discount, it’s pretty tough to resist. They’re made with stoneware, which is my favorite material for baking pies, especially at home. It holds heat evenly, but doesn’t get so screaming hot that it browns the crust too quickly. These dishes are also smooth and slick, so sticking is far less of a concern. With a standard 9-inch size and a whole slew of colors to pick from, it’s the perfect addition to any tablescape, especially as we approach Thanksgiving. The perfect pumpkin pie is surely in your future.

Le Creuset 4-Piece Stoneware Heritage Bakeware Set

<p>Food52</p>

Food52

$221

$175

This baking dish set is a great buy on sale, especially for those holidays where side dishes and baked goods are so essential, they seemingly pull up a seat at the table. It comes with four dishes: a 9-inch pie dish, a 9-inch loaf pan, a 1.75-quart oval dish, and a 3-quart square dish. All are made with the brand’s stoneware, and are fully oven-, broiler-, microwave-, and dishwasher safe. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving — use the loaf pan for a morning pumpkin bread, the oval dish for some baked vegetables, the square dish for a smaller batch of sweet potato casserole, and the pie dish for a perfect pumpkin pie to end the night.

Staub Stoneware Rectangular Baking Dish

<p>Food52</p>

Food52

$40

I’ve had my eye on this Staub baking dish for quite some time now, especially after I was sent the three piece set of bakeware from the brand. They’re a great weight and bake up dishes so nicely, and every kitchen needs a big old rectangular dish to fill in the gaps. It’s available in a few different sizes, though I’m most keen on the 9 by 13 inch option. I’m in the market to replace the one I currently own for something better, since I heavily rely on it for my batches of stuffing for Thanksgiving, my eggplant parmesan for Christmas, plus I also love to use these types of pans for sweets like cinnamon rolls and more.

Le Creuset 9-Inch Heritage Stoneware Square Baking Dish

<p>Food52</p>

Food52

$55

One other holiday essential is a smaller square baking dish. This is perfect for your sides, especially if you’re just cooking for your family. But, it’s also a fantastic option for appetizers like baked dips, especially since it’s pretty enough to serve in. It’s nice and deep with 3-inches of height, and a versatile 9 by 9 inch size. It comes in a variety of colors too, like the brands cerise red, flame orange, and sleek white.

Emile Henry Ceramic Bread Cloche

<p>Food52</p>

Food52

$160

While this item isn’t entirely necessary, I think good bread for a holiday dinner is. And what’s better than baking it yourself? It’s especially great if you’re not hosting the dinner this year, and want to bring something to the host's house. And a bread cloche is a spectacular vessel for it. We actually tested a whole range of them, and ranked this Emile Henry one among the top performers, especially for boules (those rounded, crusty artisan bread loves we know and love), which are perfect for holiday dinners. We love the material it’s made from, since it musters up the most gentile, consistent heat. Plus the design is unbeatable — it has a domed lid that fits snugly to the flat base, helping to generate a moist environment that’s perfect for baking the loaf. This is the one to grab if you want to perfect your bread baking.

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