Every element of these stainless steel measuring spoons was thoughtfully designed to conveniently reach the bottoms of your most narrow spice containers, from the oval bowl to the long, slender handle. Their durable stainless steel feels sturdy and balanced in the hand, and the contours of the handle are comfortable to grip. We especially like that the spoons feature a gentle curve at the end that keeps them upright on countertops—no more spilled salt—and helps the spoons neatly nest into each other for compact storage.

Here’s our problem with proofing: You can never fully control the environment. Your kitchen on a hot and humid summer day might be okay for high-moisture breads, but leave others dense and squat. And if it’s too hot, then you run the risk of the dough rising too fast and not having enough time to develop flavor. But a chilly air-conditioned kitchen will extend the proofing time significantly, as yeast divides and grows much slower in cold temps. That’s why we love this unique dough riser—it takes the guesswork and the risk out of the proofing process. Our kitchen team was incredibly impressed with how perfectly the dough turned out each time. We made loaves with and without using the Raisenne and the loaf made with the tool came out a half inch taller and a half inch wider. It’s compatible with any dough that needs to be leavened and is especially great for low-yeast and whole-grain breads that have longer rest times. Simply place the thin disk under your bowl or pan of choice, plug it in and let the heating circuits do the rest. It heats to an ideal 85 degrees, which is the optimal temperature to let your loaf grow at a consistent pace without sacrificing flavor for speed.

For easy, spill-free pouring, these smartly designed silicone measuring cups are just the thing. The flexible material allows you to squeeze the cup and create a spout anywhere on its rim, adjusting as you pour. So whether you need precision pouring for runny liquids—like a thin stream of oil when emulsifying aioli—or a wider lip to quickly pour thick batters, the Flex-It Measuring Cups will work perfectly. Plus, the food-grade silicone can be used in the microwave and is heat-resistant up to 490 degrees Fahrenheit. It's also dishwasher-safe: We found that even after we left the cups sitting overnight with turmeric and chili, the silicone was easy to clean and didn't have any residual smells or stains. Choose between a three-piece set with 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup sizes, or buy the largest cup on its own—it's large enough to mix up your favorite pancake batter without dirtying a bowl!

The only one of its kind, this vessel is designed like a reverse dutch oven—with a large, domed lid and more shallow base—and is made from thick cast iron, so it both seals in steam and retains heat to yield the perfect loaf. It’s large enough to accommodate nearly any size of bread and doesn’t require the elaborate workarounds like dutch ovens, baking stones and other equipment does. The Challenger is a combination cooker, which features a large, sturdy lid and a flatter base. It’s much easier to load your dough into the vessel without having to move around high walls and it’s also easier to reach in and score your dough. It’s crafted from heirloom-quality, hand-seasoned extra-thick cast iron, which delivers robust radiant heat to promote even cooking. The dark material does an incredible job at retaining its temperature and steam; it’s essentially an oven within your oven, so the temperature won’t be lost when you remove the lid and the lid itself creates an incredibly tight seal to prevent heat leaks (and achieve that perfect golden crust). Plus, the sturdy cast iron won’t crack like clay bakers will.

Because of their robust construction and fine machining, Cuisipro’s award-winning precision tools are elevated kitchen essentials and a pleasure to use. These stainless steel measuring cups are our favorite brand because their perfectly flat rims make it easier for leveling off ingredients with a knife, while their elongated elliptical shape can fit into narrower containers. We found that the longer handles are useful for scooping ingredients—with these cups, you won’t need to stick your hand deep into a bag of flour each time you bake. These cups are also visually appealing; both the eyelet hole at the end of the cup and the handle shape have contours that echo the clever oval design.

This 5-piece cookware set from British company Falcon Enamelware includes individual-sized dishes for everyday use, as well as larger ones for family gatherings or parties. Made by fusing porcelain to metal, the surfaces of these baking dishes have all the nonstick and heat distribution properties of ceramic cookware but are more lightweight thanks to their durable yet thin steel cores. We love how Falcon cookware adds a charming touch of color to your table but in a timeless manner, with bright white interiors and a variety of accent colors—navy blue, vivid red or cool gray—around the rim and exterior of the pieces. The rounded corners on the rectangular baking dishes also look softer and more refined tableside. As an added bonus, the dishes can be stacked and nest into each other so they take up less space than your mismatched cookware.

The pieces in this set are shallower than those of Falcon's pie set and ranges from a pair of identical small tins with about a 2-cup capacity (perfect for dinner for two) to a large roasting pan that can accommodate your holiday turkey. Or for a vegetarian centerpiece, serve up Whole Roasted Cauliflower in Falcon's enamelware fresh from the oven. Use one of the medium-sized pans to make our Roasted Chicken Breasts with Grapes and Sherry Vinegar or even roast a whole chicken. Want to deglaze the fond from your chicken on the stove? No problem—Falcon enamelware can handle the high heat of stovetop burners.

Because of their robust construction and fine machining, Cuisipro’s award-winning precision tools are elevated kitchen essentials and a pleasure to use. For a whisk that won’t damage your nonstick pan as you make a roux or scramble eggs, the company’s patented Silicone Balloon Whisk is a must-have item. Its tines are made with stainless steel that is sturdy enough to whisk molten caramel into a smooth sauce, while the silicone coating protects cookware that might get scratched by a conventional balloon whisk. And, with a high heat resistance of 575 degrees Fahrenheit, you can use it directly on the stove. A cap at the end of the handle ensures that no cake batter or meringue will get stuck at the base of the tines, making clean-up easier. It’s even dishwasher-safe.

These pans—available with 12 or 6 cups— are our top pick for muffins and cupcakes, as the silicone prevents food from sticking and eliminates the need for greasing the pan. Each Trudeau pan is made from silicone with an internal steel frame around to top rim for added structure, so it won’t flop around like other silicone bakeware. And silicone is generally known for being easy to clean and for providing exceptionally even browning. We love that you don’t need paper liners, since treats will come out much easier—although a light layer of butter isn’t a terrible idea for more delicate cupcakes. Note: Silicone does heat differently than glass or metal. Your bake time may be a few minutes longer than the recipe suggests.

French company de Buyer's compact stainless steel bain marie is a double boiler with a convenient built-in water chamber for gently heating foods. Simply fill the water chamber through an opening in the handle, and when heated the bain marie applies gentle, indirect heat to foods. It's ideal for melting chocolate, heating sauces or making custard. We like its pressure valve and heat-resistant silicone handle, which make for safe and easy handling. Plus, de Buyer has measuring marks for the pot's internal volume (in quarts) and a clear window in the handle that allows you to keep an eye on the water level of your double boiler.

In professional kitchens, chefs choose stainless steel bowls because they're lightweight, stackable, sturdy and easy to clean. British company Falcon Enamelware's Prep Set, made by fusing porcelain to metal, has all these features in addition to the non-stick and heat distribution properties of ceramic cookware. The graduated set consists of 5 bowls and a colander, all of which are not only useful but also a pleasure to look at, with bright white interiors and a variety of accent colors—navy blue, vivid red or cool gray—around the rim and exterior of the pieces. You won't need any other mixing bowls with the variety of sizes in this set. We especially love the colander, which not only features a charming floral pattern with its drain holes but also fits perfectly into the largest bowl in the prep set—no more dripping water on your tables or countertops.

This traditional proofing woven bowl is a must-have for any avid bread baker. Used for centuries in Europe, the Brotform helps loaves hold their shape as they rise and also promotes a crispy, ribbed crust and improved texture. The bowl is hand-shaped from natural cane and its 10-inch size can accommodate up to a 2 lb loaf. It can be used without a liner for a more textured crust, but needs to be well-dusted with flour to prevent any sticking. The stunning natural look of this bowl also makes it wonderful for serving rolls and bread slices after your baking is done. Cotton liner sold separately.