The Pre-Holiday Baking Guide - What to Buy and What Your Kitchen Should Never Be Without

The holidays are a time when the home fills with the scent of cinnamon, vanilla, and freshly baked gingerbread. But to make your pre-Christmas baking stress-free, it’s worth preparing your kitchen in advance - both in terms of ingredients and essential tools. Here’s a short guide to help you embrace the festive spirit with a perfectly equipped countertop.

1. Essential Ingredients – The Foundation of Holiday Baking

There’s no gingerbread without honey, no cheesecake without curd cheese, and no shortcrust pastry without butter. Your shopping list should definitely include:

• Flour – all-purpose (type 450 or 550) and potato starch, perfect for most cakes.
• Sugar – stock up on white, brown, and powdered varieties.
• Eggs, butter, cream, and milk – the building blocks of any bake.
• Spices – cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg will give your desserts that festive aroma.
• Add-ins – dried fruit, nuts, candied orange peel, cocoa, glazes, and sprinkles. Even a simple gingerbread will look and taste extraordinary with the right decorations.

2. Tools and Accessories – Your Kitchen Helpers

Baking becomes a joy when you have the right tools at hand. Make sure your kitchen is equipped with:

• A whisk – essential for perfectly whipped egg whites.
• Cookie cutters and baking pans in various shapes, especially stars and hearts.
• A rolling pin, pastry board, and silicone mat – must-haves for gingerbread and shortcrust cookies.
• Parchment paper and piping bags – to keep decorating and baking tidy and easy.
• Jars and tins – ideal for storing finished treats or gifting them as homemade presents.

3. The Final Touch – Planning and Atmosphere

Plan your baking schedule in advance. Some cakes, like traditional aged gingerbread, need a few days to develop flavor, while others - like poppy seed rolls - taste best when freshly baked. Turn on your favorite music, light an orange-scented candle, and enjoy the moment. After all, holiday baking isn’t a chore - it’s a beautiful ritual that creates lasting memories.