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Baking Tips from Wedding Gift List Administrator, Gemma Herd

Today we are joined by Wedding Present Company Gift List Administrator, Gemma, who is sharing her top tips when it comes to choosing the best presents for baking. We chat to Gemma about her top presents, her go-to sources of baking inspiration and her favourite recipes.

What are your favourite brands when it comes to baking?

Kitchenaid, for sure. Not only do they look great in the kitchen but they have so many different attachments that you can use to suit your baking style.  I also love Master Class for baking trays, and Falcon Enamelware, not only are they oven safe they also look lovely on the table.

Non Stick Baking Tray, 39 x 27cm
Master Class
£14.50
Deep bake pan, 12 hole
Master Class
£19.00
Enamel 5 Piece Bake Set, White with Blue Rim
Falcon Enamelware
£85.00
Round cake pan, D20cm
Master Class
£13.50
Tray, Pillarbox Red
Falcon Enamelware
£27.00
Hand Mixer, Cordless, Almond Cream,
KitchenAid
£159.00
Round flan / quiche tin, 25 x 3cm, fluted
Master Class
£18.00
Set of 4 enamel pie dishes, D20cm, White With Blue Rim
Falcon Enamelware
£52.00
with Accessories, Hand Blender, Charcoal Grey
KitchenAid
£169.00
Enamel pie set, White With Blue Rim
Falcon Enamelware
£70.00
Hand mixer, 9-speed, Almond Cream
KitchenAid
£139.00

Shop the look

Whisk, 9"
Oxo Good Grips
£10.00
Spoons, Beechwood, Set of 3
KitchenCraft
£4.50
Sophie Conran Set of 2 Tea Towels, Sophie Conran, Dove Grey
Sophie Conran for Portmeirion
£17.00
Glass juicer and jug, 600ml
Garden Trading
£20.00
9 piece stacking bowl and measuring set, Nest Plus, Opal
Joseph Joseph
£60.00
Letterbox flower subscription, 12 months, Lux
Bloom & Wild
£300.00
Stand Mixer, 4.8L, Artisan, Pistachio Green
KitchenAid
£549.00

What would your 3 desert island baking items be?

I would have to say; a hand whisk, spatula and a versatile loaf tin. Then you can whip up both bread and cake!

What would you say to couples who are new to baking?

Invest in a set of scales, I love the Victor Kitchen scales, as they are practical but also look beautiful on display.

A good cook book is a must have, Rukmini Iyer does a wonderful selection.

Improvise! The other day I was baking and realised I had lent my rolling pin to a friend, but I made do with a wine bottle! It worked perfectly.

What are your favorite recipes to bake?

I love baking Cinnamon buns, they're perfect for autumn. On the other hand, you can't go wrong with scones, it's always fun arguing over which comes first- jam or cream! When it comes to hosting drinks parties, I always bake a batch of cheese straws. I often experiment with fillings depending on what I have in the kitchen- whether it's marmite, poppy seeds or even rosemary. 

Shop the look

Round Marble Board, D32cm, Bwari, White
Nkuku
£50.00
Set of 4 mugs, H10cm, Florya
OKA
£60.00
Teaspoon, Helios, Orange
Capdeco
£11.00
Covered butter dish, 15.5 x 12cm, Ceramics, White
Sophie Conran for Portmeirion
£29.00
French Blade Table knife, 24cm, Helios, Olive Polished Mirror
Capdeco
£15.00

Where do you get your inspiration from?

As good as the internet is, you can't go wrong with a traditional recipe book, and food magazines are also an excellent source of inspiration.

One of my all time favourites is Mary Berry, her recipes are simple and she covers all the classics. 

Mary Berry

How do you like to serve your baking?

For tea time I very much like presenting things straight from the oven on to a board, whether that's a classic wooden board or something like marble.

If I was hosting a dinner party I would go a little more formal like a pie dish or a platter. Not forgetting a cake slice, some beautiful dessert plates and cake forks!

Cake Fork Set, PVD Stainless Steel, Set of 6
Sambonet
£50.00
Cake stand with domed lid - large, 30 x 30cm, Beaded Edge, Aluminium, Nickel And Glass
Culinary Concepts
£100.00
Cake stand, 31.5cm, Kastehelmi, Clear
Iittala
£70.00
Cake Slice, L25cm, Morris & Co, Honeysuckle
Spode
£17.00
Plate, D21.5cm, Felicity, Pale Blue
Burleigh
£26.00
Cake Server, Polished Knot
Culinary Concepts
£30.00
Footed cake plate, 32 x 6cm, Ceramics, White
Sophie Conran for Portmeirion
£60.00