Suncraft Removeable-Bottom Cake Pan
There is nothing worse than realizing your pan is to blame when a cake doesn’t turn out right. And while springform pans tend to be your best bet when it comes to cleanly removing a cake without any cracking, ripping or crumbling, most are made from cheap materials that don’t hold up well over time. But we were thrilled with the results from Suncraft’s Removeable Bottom Cake Pan, which works similarly to a springform pan but has a flat bottom with no lip and a solid band that doesn’t need to be tightened. Plus, it’s made from sturdy stainless steel to ensure lasting durability. It’s designed with straight sides for an even result, plus a bottom that stays in place during baking but comes off effortlessly to prevent sticking. You’ll never use your old springform again! For the best results, use this pan for thick battered cakes or pastries with crust layers, like cheesecake. We also recommend placing the pan on top of a baking sheet in the oven, to prevent any possible seepage.
Cuisipro Cooling Rack
Easy to tuck away and store, this cooling rack from Cuisipro features the same double layer of premium nonstick coating as the rest of their baking collection. Freshly made baked goods will cool evenly without sticking on this durable wire rack.
La Chamba 2-Quart Square Casserole
Made of black clay, a typical medium for traditional Colombian pottery, this 2-quart casserole works beautifully for roasting vegetables, poultry or meat or for baked pastas like lasagna. La Chamba’s casserole dishes are still made the traditional way, by families in central Colombia who practice their craft on the banks of the Magdalena River. This striking black baker transitions easily from kitchen to table; the unglazed clay has a light, sophisticated sheen and the casserole will retain heat long after coming off of the heat, thanks to the naturally occurring mica in the clay. As each piece is handmade by Colombian artisans, slight imperfections in form or finish are to be expected. It is appropriate for the oven or microwave, but despite being incredibly sturdy and long-lasting, black clay pieces should be heated slowly, as they can’t withstand drastic changes in temperature.
Heilala Vanilla Paste
A favorite at Milk Street, this vanilla paste has deep, concentrated vanilla flavor. Made from vine-ripened Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans grown in the tropical South Pacific, Heilala’s paste is a combination of three-month cold-extracted vanilla extract mixed with vanilla bean seeds. Every bean used in Heilala’s production is hand-picked by farmers in Tonga. It works beautifully as an easy-to-use alternative to vanilla beans with stronger, more pure flavor than extract—one teaspoon is equivalent to one bean, without the waste or mess of attempting to scrape out seeds. Beyond superlative vanilla flavor, this paste has a sweet floral aroma, fruity and warm spiced notes and dark vanilla seeds, which add a beautiful speckle to baked goods and desserts.
Masienda Blue Masa Harina
This finely ground, masa blue (corn) flour yields a more intense corn flavor than others we’ve tried, which truly sets it apart from lesser brands. It’s earthy and slightly sweet, with a bit more of a robust nuttiness than its white corn counterpart. Originally established to assist restaurants in creating their own in-house masa production programs, Masienda developed their sourcing and production methods with professional chefs in mind, so you know their focus is on flavor over just volume and speed. The primary purpose of masa is to make homemade tortillas and Masienda makes it easy—simply add warm water and mix for the perfect tortilla dough, no grinding or mortar and pestle necessary. When cooked, the tortillas will be pliable with a pleasant chew and, of course, packed with traditional corn flavor.
Masienda White Masa Harina
This finely ground, masa (corn) flour yields a more intense corn flavor than others we’ve tried, which truly sets it apart from lesser brands. It’s earthy and slightly sweet. Originally established to assist restaurants in creating their own in-house masa production programs, Masienda developed their sourcing and production methods with professional chefs in mind, so you know their focus is on flavor over just volume and speed. The primary purpose of masa is to make homemade tortillas and Masienda makes it easy—simply add warm water and mix for the perfect tortilla dough, no grinding or mortar and pestle necessary. When cooked, the tortillas will be pliable with a pleasant chew and, of course, packed with traditional corn flavor.
Tastëlanghe Hazelnut Dark Chocolate Spread
Incredibly hard to find in the U.S., Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are considered some of the best in the world. Grown exclusively in the Langhe area of Piedmont, Italy, Tastëlanghe has been producing them since 1891. In their Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Nocciola Dark), those renowned hazelnuts turn into a creamy, rich, sweet dark chocolate spread. Light in texture but deep in flavor, this spread has just a hint of dark chocolate and intense notes of roasted hazelnuts. It’s like Nutella, but less dense, far more flavorful, and with only natural ingredients. Use it to spoon onto ice cream, cakes, cookies, or any baked good or anywhere you would Nutella, spread on toast, or eat straight from the jar!
Tastëlanghe IGP Piedmont Hazelnuts
Incredibly hard to find in the U.S., Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are considered some of the best in the world. Sweet, nutty and satisfyingly crunchy, these shelled, whole toasted ones are perfectly browned with a clean taste on the finish. Grown exclusively in the Langhe area of Piedmont, Italy, Tastëlanghe has been producing them since 1891. These hazelnuts will shine in dishes from sweet cakes, creams and cookies to savory salads. Or just snack on them whole.
Tastëlanghe Hazelnut Caramel
Incredibly hard to find in the U.S., Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are considered some of the best in the world. Grown exclusively in the Langhe area of Piedmont, Italy, Tastëlanghe has been producing them since 1891. In their Hazelnut (Nocciola) Caramel, those renowned hazelnuts turn into a creamy, rich, sweet caramelly spread with a hint of salt. Light in texture but deep in flavor, this spread is full of caramel flavor from a mixture of caramelized hazelnuts and milk that is cooked down to perfection. It’s like dulce de leche, but less dense and far more flavorful. Spoon it onto ice cream, cakes, cookies, or any baked good, spread on toast or eat straight from the jar!
Linden Baker's Cooling Rack
Baking sheets and cooling racks are a baking must-have, but they often take up all of your counter space. So we looked for something space-saving and functional to do the job better, and Linden Baker’s Cooling Rack fit the bill. The sturdy metal rack has four vertical foldable tiers to help keep your counter clear while cooling hot trays. Each rack can carry up to 10 pounds and can hold four half-sized sheet pans or standard sized baking sheets. And, its adjustable too, meaning you can fold up one of the middle shelves to fit taller items like bundt cakes or pies. Even better, the vertical design allows for efficient air circulation to help cool pans down quickly. When you’re done, simply rinse it in the sink, dry and fold it up flat to store. Perfect for baking projects or prepping for dinner parties when counter space is crucial, this compact rack will bring organization to your kitchen.
Poterie Renault Vintage Oval Baking Dish
Though the region is best known for wine production, the Loire Valley of France also once contained a secret gem frozen in time: Poterie Renault. Dating back to 1847, the French pottery workshop was filled to the brim with stoneware pieces, all handcrafted from some of the richest and finest clay France has to offer. And while the factory shuttered its doors in 2016, it left behind a treasure trove of salt-glazed ceramics that have become collectible items. Included in that collection, reminiscent of charming French country kitchens, is this stunning lidded oval baking dish, perfect for casseroles, roasts, gratins, cassoulets and more.
Cera Bakeware Oval Roaster
Greasing your glass bakeware with butter, oil or spray is usually one of the first steps in a recipe—and more often than not, most baked goods still stick to the pan anyway. Not so with Cera bakeware, designed in Japan to be truly nonstick, without any need for extra greasing agents, flour or parchment. And it’s only available in the US at Milk Street. Made from ceramic-coated glass that is durable, easy to wash and completely nonstick, this oval baker is the perfect vessel for roasting veggies or smaller portions of meat. Anything you cook in it will come out cleanly, without any fuss or mess. The frosted glass is also easy on the eyes, ensuring your dish can go seamlessly from oven to table.
Cera Bakeware Tart Pan
Greasing your glass bakeware with butter, oil or spray is usually one of the first steps in a recipe—and more often than not, most baked goods still stick to the pan anyway. Not so with Cera bakeware, designed in Japan to be truly nonstick, without any need for extra greasing agents, flour or parchment. And it’s only available in the US at Milk Street. Made from ceramic-coated glass that is durable, easy to wash and completely nonstick, this tart pan is the perfect vessel for small tarts and quiches. Anything you cook in it will come out cleanly, without any fuss or mess. The frosted glass is also easy on the eyes, ensuring your dish can go seamlessly from oven to table.
Cera Bakeware Rectangular Roasting Pan
Greasing your glass bakeware with butter, oil or spray is usually one of the first steps in a recipe—and more often than not, most baked goods still stick to the pan anyway. Not so with Cera bakeware, designed in Japan to be truly nonstick, without any need for extra greasing agents, flour or parchment. And it’s only available in the US at Milk Street. Made from ceramic-coated glass that is durable, easy to wash and completely nonstick, this rectangular baker is the perfect vessel for roasting salmon, baking smaller casseroles like enchiladas, cookie bars and more. Anything you cook in it will come out cleanly, without any fuss or mess. The frosted glass is also easy on the eyes, ensuring your dish can go seamlessly from oven to table.
Koy Pantry Antep Pistachio Butter
There are only two ingredients in Koy Pantry’s Pistachio Butter, but this textured nut spread is packed with intense flavor. Unlike other nut butters on the market that are dense and artificial-tasting, Koy Pantry’s rendition tastes only of pure pistachios, nothing else. Made from Antep pistachios, a Türkiye-grown nut renowned for its vibrant green color and creamy, buttery flavor, it’s sweet, nutty and bright—and perfectly spreadable, with a consistency similar to almond butter. All pistachios are carefully sourced and selected from local Turkish farms, then air-dried, cracked and ground with a bit of sugar for a flavorful—not cloying—result. Slather it on toast, cakes, cookies and pastries, whip into frosting, fold into batters or ice cream base, blend into a smoothie, stir into yogurt or eat it straight off the spoon. The possibilities are endless.
Castillo de Jijona Marcona Almond Butter
Castillo de Jijona’s Spanish Marcona Almond Butter is the only one we’ve found of its kind—it’s made from 100 percent Spanish Marcona almonds, a prized, slightly sweeter, smoother alternative to a conventional almond. The flavor is buttery, rich and neutral, with its only sweetness coming naturally from the almonds. It has a velvety, pourable consistency, much different than the grainier, drier versions made from standard almonds; we found that very little stirring was required upon opening to reincorporate any natural separation of the oils. Try it as an ingredient or a topping for desserts, smoothies, oatmeal, vinaigrettes or vegetables. The butter’s creamy consistency incorporates easily into other ingredients.
Milk Street Digital Class: Baking, But Make it Savory with Erin Jeanne McDowell
When you think pie dough, you probably think of, well, pie. But there’s a whole savory side to the pie equation, and everything from meaty mushrooms to custardy eggs are eager to jump into a pie crust and call themselves dinner. In this pre-recorded class, taught by guest chef Erin Jeanne McDowell, you’ll learn to make a weeknight-friendly skillet galette that is basically a green gratin piled into a crust. Erin starts with unbeatably delicious pastry that’s guaranteed to come out perfectly thanks to Erin’s expert instruction. The author of “Savory Baking,” Erin is no stranger to the trials and tribulations of great pie crusts. You’ll learn how to make an all-butter version — with no mystery ingredients or trendy tricks — that’s easy to work with and a breeze to make ahead. Erin will inspire you with variations on the base recipe, such as a golden cheese option or adaptations that use spelt or whole wheat flour. For the filling, we turn to hearty, versatile and nutritious kale, a powerhouse ingredient that too often gets a bad rap for being chewy or blah. Erin is having none of that. During its time in the oven, her Crispy Kale Skillet Galette becomes decadently soft in the middle while the top t urns nicely crisp. You’ll come away feeling inspired to tackle savory baking projects of all shapes and sizes — and with a newfound adoration for the mighty kale.
Milk Street Pie Pan
Buying the right pie pan is hard—between decorative options that look nice on the table but underperform and utilitarian steel or glass pans that are flimsy and don’t last, options for a solid, beautiful pie pan that will deliver every time are limited. To take the guesswork out of buying the right one, we designed our own. Made of high-quality enameled steel sourced from Türkiye, the home of the world’s best enamelware, it far surpasses glass and stoneware options, which may not conduct heat properly, leading to soggy-bottomed pies. The steel core conducts heat efficiently and evenly, for a browned, perfectly cooked crust every time (so you can finally cook your pies without blind baking them first). Enamelware is one of the original nonstick cookware options, so your pies will slice neatly; no risk of sticking to the pan, and it’s easy to clean. It’s extremely durable—sturdier than many cheap, light options on the market—and it’s resistant to high temperatures up to 450°F.