As the author of a cookbook dedicated entirely to cookies, I’ve made a LOT of different kinds of cookies. And I’m happy to recommend the best cookie baking tools I use for success. This list is a great place to start if you’re a beginner, are creating a registry, or are shopping for a gift for the cookie monster in your life.
Let’s Talk Cookies
After developing more than 300 cookie recipes, writing an entire cookie cookbook, and publishing my annual Sally’s Cookie Palooza holiday baking series since 2013, I’ve made more cookie dough than I could ever count. Along the way, I’ve learned which tools are truly worth owning, and which ones just take up cabinet space.
If you’re just getting started, building a wedding registry, or shopping for the cookie baker in your life, these are the cookie tools I reach for over and over again.
Before we get to the tools, here are my most important cookie success guides:
10 Best Cookie Baking Tools
Every tool on this list is one I personally own and use. This post isn’t sponsored—these are simply products that my team and I genuinely love. Some of the links below are affiliate links.
1. Half Sheet Pan
If you only invest in one cookie-baking tool, make it a quality baking sheet. Thin, flimsy pans can warp in the oven, while dark-colored pans often over-brown cookie bottoms before the centers are baked through.
I’ve baked thousands of batches of cookies on both Nordic Ware and USA Pan half sheet pans, and they’re the ones I reach for every time. They’re sturdy, bake evenly, and last for years with proper care. Beyond cookies, I use them constantly for sheet cakes, roasting vegetables, homemade toffee, and more.
Own at least two baking sheets so you always have a cool pan ready for the next batch. Never place cookie dough onto a hot baking sheet.
2. Silicone Baking Mats or Parchment Sheets
Always line your baking sheet before adding cookie dough. A silicone baking mat or parchment paper prevents sticking, promotes even browning, and makes cleanup easy. Skip the nonstick spray or butter, which can create a greasy surface and encourage cookies to spread too much.
My first choice is a silicone baking mat because it provides just enough grip to help cookies hold their shape while baking. If you don’t have a silicone baking mat—or if a recipe specifically calls for parchment paper—pre-cut parchment sheets are an excellent alternative. They fit standard half sheet pans perfectly and make baking and cleanup just as easy.
Tip: Buy 11×16-inch silicone mats or pre-cut parchment sheets so they fit standard half sheet pans.
3. Cookie Scoops
Cookie scoops make dividing and shaping dough much easier. Plus, uniform dough portions bake more evenly, so you won’t end up with some cookies overdone while others are underbaked.
Cookie scoops are also great for cupcake batter, muffin batter, pancakes, meatballs, mashed potatoes, and even scooping ice cream. For most cookie recipes, I use the medium cookie scoop, which holds 1.5 Tablespoons of dough.
4. Cooling Rack
Most cookie recipes have you cool the cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Air needs to circulate underneath the cookies so they cool evenly and don’t develop soggy bottoms.
Cooling racks are inexpensive and can last for years. I recommend owning at least two.
5. Stand Mixer
You can absolutely make cookie dough with a hand mixer (here is my go-to handheld mixer), but if you bake often, a stand mixer is worth every penny. It handles thick cookie dough with ease and frees up your hands while ingredients are mixing.
I prefer the 5-quart size because it’s perfect for a majority of standard-size baking recipes.
Beyond cookies, you can use it for muffin and cake batters, bread dough, whipped cream, buttercream, meringue, and so much more.
6. Measuring Cups & Digital Food Scale
Quality measuring cups are important, but if you really want consistent baking results, invest in a digital kitchen scale.
A gram always weighs a gram. A cup, on the other hand, can vary dramatically depending on how it’s filled. That’s why every recipe on my website includes both weight and volume measurements.
If you’re using cups, be sure to measure your baking ingredients properly.
Measuring Cups & Spoons
7. Rolling Pin
Useful for so many recipes beyond cookies!
Whether you’re making sugar cookies, pie dough, homemade crackers, or cinnamon rolls, a quality rolling pin is one of those tools you’ll use for years.
Mine is wooden and feels balanced in my hands. It’s simple, sturdy, and has held up beautifully after 15+ years of (very!) frequent baking.
8. Cookie Cutters
Not all cookie cutters are created equal. Thin, flimsy cutters bend easily and leave ragged edges in your dough. I always look for sturdy metal cutters with sharp edges that create clean cuts.
Ann Clark brand makes a huge variety of shapes. Purchase a set or two so you have a good variety.
If spritz cookies are part of your holiday tradition, I highly recommend the OXO cookie press.
11-Piece Cookie Cutter Set
9. Silicone Spatulas
A good silicone spatula should feel sturdy, flexible, and comfortable to hold.
I probably use silicone spatulas more than any other kitchen tool! They’re perfect for scraping every last bit of cookie dough from the bowl, folding ingredients together, stirring, cooking, mixing, frosting, etc.
I keep several sizes on hand because they’re constantly in use!
10. Dessert Carrier
Homemade cookies deserve to arrive looking as good as they tasted when they left your kitchen!
If you’re bringing treats along or gifting them to friends, a sturdy carrier keeps everything protected during transport.
My favorite trick is using a cupcake carrier with the tray flipped upside down because it holds stacks of cookies beautifully. I also frequently use this half sheet pan lid or a 9×13-inch pan with a fitted lid when transporting larger batches!
9×13-inch Baking Pan with Lid
Now that your kitchen is stocked, here are a few cookie recipes to put your new tools to work!
Reader Comments and Reviews
Love your recipes. I weigh all my ingredients. Could you please add gram measurements with the recipes.
Thank you kindly,
Sherry
Hi Sherry, we do include ingredient weights with almost all of our recipes. Happy baking!
I’m considering a double cooling rack for space. Any chance you have one you have liked?
Hi Amanda, We don’t have one but that’s a great idea. If you find one you love, let us know!
I have a couple of questions about your list of fav baking tools. Are the cookie scoops easy to use? I have a lot of trouble with my hands-weakness etc. and wonder if I could squeeze the handles on the cookie scoops. Also, the silicone mats, how do you wash it in the dishwasher? Do you load it sideways like a plate? or just lay it in the top rack?
Hi Celia, these are all tools we use regularly and recommend. The cookie scoops are a staple in our kitchen and work well for us. Here’s how to clean silicone baking mats.
Love all your recipes!!
How do you store your cookie cutters?
Hi Jeannie, We usually separate them by category into labeled zip top bags, and then keep everything in a large Tupperware container. If you come with anything more creative, let us know!
I love all your recipes
Obseeeessed with your recipes. I’ve been a cookie baker for my friends and family most of my life but wasn’t actually making amazing cookies until I found your website. I’ve learned so much from your tips and don’t use cookie recipes anywhere else anymore. I made your white chocolate dipped peppermint mocha cookies this Christmas and everyone was amazed. I am kind of confused by your recommendation of the OXO cookie scoop. It’s been the flimsiest I’ve encountered and breaks immediately. There are much sturdier options out there. I just share this respectfully since so many of us trust your opinion. Thanks for sharing your talent with us!
Sally’s Baking Addiction is my go-to site for everything! I rave about it to everyone who will listen. So far I have not seen how you measure solids like shortening/ butter? Do you use the lines on the butter wrappers?
Hi Pam, thank you so much for making and trusting our recipes! Yes, we typically use the lines on the butter wrappers to measure. If your butter isn’t in stick form, use a dry measuring cup to measure it. If a recipe calls for melted butter, measure the butter in its solid state, then melt it. Here’s more on how to properly measure baking ingredients. Hope this helps!
Rainbow Cookies….would you please consider posting a recipe for the Italian Rainbow cookies? Basically, it is comprised of 3 layers of vanilla cake with each layer representing a different color of the Italian flag (red/white/green). In between one layer is apricot jam, and in the other layer, raspberry jam. It is topped with stiff chocolate (not quite soft like a ganache). I also believe I have seen the cake being compressed for several hours or overnight before layering. A video would be fantastic.
What kind of salt should be used for the Sugar Cookie Recipe? Thank you!!!Rio
Hi Robin! All our recipes use table salt unless otherwise noted.
I’m going to put chocolate chips in them! A friend of mine made them like that & WOW!! So good!!The cinnamon w/chocolate chips is heavenly!
What would you recommend to keep cookies, brownies, etc..soft and fresh? I usually put a slice of bread in with the baked goods. Could you suggest a good airtight large container or any tips ?
I love your site!!!!
Hi Stephanie! We like to add a slice of bread with our baked cookies, too, in order to keep them soft and chewy. Any air tight container, cookie tin, or zip-top bag should work well for storing the cookies. We have a few different suggestions for baking tins and containers (cake carriers actually work great for cookies, too!) in this gifts for bakers post. Hope this helps, and thanks so much for making and trusting our recipes!
Hi Sally and Team, do you use parchment paper on top of the silicone mats to bake cookies?
Hi Daniel, if you use a silicone baking mat, you do not have to place parchment on top of it.
What spatula do you use/recommend to remove the cookies from the cookie sheet? ?
Hi Todd, something like this flat serving spatula works well. If you use a silicone baking mat, the cookies should lift up easily.
Hi! I love all your recipes and tips. For silicone spatulas, I have noticed if I taste off them, the frosting or dough tastes off, and sometimes the whole bowl if I stirred with them. Have you noticed that? I wqs wondering if my spatulas are too old or the wrong brand, and I should get the ones you recommend. Or am I just a silicone super-taster? Haha. Thanks for your advice.
Hi Marie, we haven’t noticed that before — are the spatulas new? Perhaps a run through the dishwasher would help. Or it could simply be the brand you’re using. Thanks so much for making and trusting our recipes!
Hi! Just popping on here to say that I have noticed the same thing and it hasn’t mattered the brand of silicone spatula. I believe it is a residue for the dishwasher detergent. I try to hand wash all my spatulas now and no more funky flavors!
What do you use to sprinkle powdered sugar on lemon bars. Thanks
Hi Christine! We use a fine mesh strainer/sifter – we link to our favorite in our lemon bars post in the recipe notes.
I had a problem with my Oxo cookie scoop and contacted Oxo. They sent me a new scoop.
I recently purchased an Oxo medium cookie scoop and it broke the first batch of cookies I scooped.. I love cookie scoops but was sad this one did not hold up.
So upsetting when that happens! I find that if dough is extremely heavy and thick, it can ruin a cookie scoop.
I am so excited to find the list of your favourite baking items!
My daughter is moving into her 1st apartment, and needs everything!!
I was overwhelmed just trying to pick a muffin tin for her! Your list of tried and trues will be SO helpful!!
Thank you for your delicious recipes and tips! Gratefully, Maria.
We’re so happy that this post was helpful, Maria! Thank you so much for reading and making our recipes 🙂
I have all these tools and after all these years I bought a rolling pin with rings so I can set the thickness.
Love it for rolled cookies!
Thank you so much for this, Sally! I’ve bought so many of your recommended tools (I especially love the medium cookie scoop and silicone baking mats)! I appreciate all the detail and personal touch you put into every post and recipe. Something I think would be really helpful in the future is a post about your favorite kitchen organization hacks or products! I live in a small space but love baking and am starting to have trouble organizing all the ingredients and tools! Thanks again for everything you do.
Jessica, what a wonderful idea for a new post! Though I might need to practice organization a little more in order to offer some great advice. I feel like my kitchen is a hot mess! Will absolutely consider something like this.
Long time fan who has made many of your recipes. But I have to take issue with your recommendation of the OXO Cookie scoop which I bought because I was missing a 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop from my collection. This was the second one I bought and both were defective right out of the box. The rotating piece does not work. My other scoops of a different brand work much better and were much cheaper.
I’m not sure of the name, but my cookie scoop was made in West Bend, WI. It’s extremely durable and is professional grade. Best purchase ever!
I use a Cutco ice scream scoop. Not cheap but a great tool that will last longer than I will.
It is amazing at scooping ice cream as the ice cream doesn’t stick to the scooper.
yes 100%
Love your site and the recipes and instructions are so well explained. I can’t find any recommendations on food coloring brands anywhere though
Hi Joan, we love Americolor gel food coloring!
Sally Thank you for the recommendation for tools to help baking cookies better. Since buying the cookie scoops I found the smallest one is perfect for making hush puppies, yes southern lady here who loves cooking fish along with baking.
Hi Sally, any recommendations on an organized way of storing all of your baking supplies? Especially cookie cutters? I have almost a hundred and I can’t find a practical way of organizing these.
Hi Brittany, That is a lot of cookie cutters! 🙂 If you are short on space, a few clear plastic containers with lids that can be stacked is a good option. You can organize your cutters in a way that makes the most sense for your collection (seasonal in one, letters and numbers in another, animal shapes, etc.).
Thank-you for taking the time to post about your favorite baking tools! I am in need of some new baking sheets and I knew right where to go to find which ones I should buy! I can’t wait to use the silicone mats, I have always used parchment paper and I am finally done with all of the waste. I love following you and your recipes! Baking makes me happy 🙂
You are welcome, Jennifer! Have fun with with your new baking gear 🙂
I think by reading your blog over the years, I’ve pretty much bought all of these things (minus stand mixer – no space!). Thank you for the education – so many of your recipes are favorites in our home – sweet and savory!
I love this post. I have 9 out of the 10 items you mentioned already, and use them lots. You know you’re a baker when… 😉 The only thing I don’t have yet is a cupcake carrier, which I definitely want next time I have to transport cupcakes. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this! I’ve been working on improving my cookies, and I think those baking sheets are going to be my next purchase. Definitely need those. I’ve purchased so many things you recommend and slowly but surely my kitchen is becoming so much more fun to bake in! 🙂
On another note – the 24 count cupcake pans are WONDERFUL! I own 2 of that size and 1 of the 48 count mini cupcake pan.
Your recipes and tips have made me a much better baker – thank you!! I really want to get your book and try all the recipes
Love all these tips, I have those OXO measuring cups too and I love them. They are the most durable I have ever owned. I have to get my hands on some new cookie sheets. I agree with the rubber spatula tip too, I have had many bad one and one that outlasted them all. Thank you for all the posts in this series, its helpful to understand the whys and how’s of baking and science was never really my thing!
Hi Sally,
Any recommendation for dipping tools used to dip balls in chocolate?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, yes, you can see our favorite dipping tools in our favorite candy making tools post!
SO helpful Sally!! Thank you so much! Your tips and tricks have improved my baking tremendously!! 🙂
In your videos, you use the stand mixer with a glass bowl (I assume that is so we can see the batter or dough). Your recommendation is for the stainless bowl. Why do you prefer the stainless bowl over glass?
Hi Kathleen! I use the glass bowl primarily so viewers can see inside the bowl. I use my stainless steel bowl all the time otherwise. Both are great.
This is so amazingly helpful and practical!! Thank you!