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.

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.

Handcut from black walnut wood and polished to perfection, this bread lame is as beautiful as it is functional. Use this tool for scoring bread dough before it goes in the oven, so it can grow and expand into an airy loaf. The lame has stunning brass thumb nuts that tighten and release the double-edged razor blade, and the brass safety guard is adorned with elegant French scrollwork. Plus, it’s available in both right- and left-hand orientations.

This style of whisk is the secret to perfectly mixed bread doughs and pastry crusts, since its flat shape and spiral end prevent overmixing and adding too much air. This one is handcrafted from black walnut wood and secured with a sturdy aluminum brass ferrule. And it has an end made from strong stainless steel wire, so it can stand up to even the stickiest doughs and is easier to clean than more tightly woven whisks.

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.

This 100% cotton liner is designed to pair with the Brotform 10-Inch Round Woven Proofing Bowl. 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. Adding a liner helps prevent wetter doughs from sticking to the bowl’s nooks and crannies.

These artisan-crafted tea towels are made from 100% linen and come in a set of three. They feature a classic blue stripe pattern and a durable double-rolled hem. Use them to line your breadbasket as a proofing cloth—you can even dampen the towels and drape them over your dough or other baked goods to retain moisture and prevent a dried-out surface.

We love these lovely farmhouse-inspired dish towels made from durable, high-quality 100% cotton. And each is adorned with an original, detailed illustration done by artist and SKT Ceramics owner Susannah Tisue. Each of the three towels is different, one featuring a cow, another a pig and another a chicken. Made to order, each SKT piece is hand-crafted and designed to last a lifetime. Set of three.

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.

Handmade in Liverpool, England, since the 1920s, this jack-of-all trades measuring cup is lightweight and ergonomically designed for any cook. Equipped with American and English cups, imperial, metric, pints and fluid measurements, it’s especially useful for following family recipes or those in older cookbooks with different measurements. Plus, the 1950s-style design has a vintage aesthetic we love. You might never have to take out a scale or look up a conversion again.

Handmade in Liverpool, England, since the 1920s, this jack-of-all trades measuring cup is lightweight and ergonomically designed for any cook. Equipped with American and English cups, imperial, metric, pints and fluid measurements, it’s especially useful for following family recipes or those in older cookbooks with different measurements. We appreciate that this cup also factors in extra measurements for couscous, bulgur wheat and Arborio rice for additional ease. You might never have to take out a scale or look up a conversion again.

This compact set includes three bench scrapers to take care of every type of task: A dough cutter—which features a sharp stainless steel blade that’ll slice through even the stickiest doughs—a sturdy plastic spreader for making smooth layers of cake frosting or transporting ingredients from cutting board to bowl and a soft rounded scraper that’s perfect for sneaking into nooks and crannies. The stainless steel blade of the dough cutter is precise not only in its slicing, but also in its portioning—the ruler markings etched along the blade help cut uniform dinner rolls and more. The spreader has a beveled edge that can sneak cleanly under any ingredient, while the curved scraper boasts a sturdy yet flexible construction that easily wipes the sides of a bowl clean. Plus, each has an ergonomic handle and incredibly sturdy construction—even the smallest silicone scraper has a stainless steel core. Plus, they tuck together seamlessly for easy kitchen storage.

With three unique blade edges, this smartly-designed serrated knife combines the function of two knives in one—slicing through any and all loaves with ease. The blade is 9 inches, so long enough to cut the largest loaf cleanly without sawing back and forth. And the tapered blade features a gently curved belly to facilitate clean slicing. A 2-inch section of wide wave serrations located closer to the tip of the knife dives in and saws through a crunchy, rustic outer crust, while the smaller teeth cleanly slice through the inner crumb. It’s also ideal for delicate foods like soft sandwich breads and juicy tomatoes. The knife features a small length of straight blade at the tip to pierce through tough crusts, tomato skins or melon rinds. Plus, the handle is specifically designed for a comfortable grip, with a slight curve to it.