With coronavirus making travel a tricky and even potentially dangerous prospect this year, we’re embracing the summer staycation. All week (and all summer) long, we’ll bring you transportive flavors and travel-inspired ideas from around the world, so you can take your tastebuds on a trip and give your mind a mini vacation while you’re still at home. Here, some of the best international baking tools for making treats from all around the globe.
No matter how warm it may be, comfort food cravings can be some of the strongest. But if plain old pancakes and waffles seem a little stale, look to other parts of the world for inspiration.
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From fluffy and lighter-than-air French chocolate souffle to poppable street food snacks like Hong Kong egg waffles, various cultures throughout the world have created delectable desserts (and breakfast-worthy treats) that are perfect for cozying up to, whatever the season.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite bakeware to help you make them all summer and into fall and winter.
Nordic Ware Scandinavian Silver Dollar Pancake Pan, $29.99 from Amazon
Nordic Ware
Americans aren’t the only ones obsessed with pancakes. Pancakes can actually be traced back to Europe and the Scandinavian region since the Middle Ages. This Scandinavian pancake pan can cook seven 3-inch pancakes (or silver dollar pancakes) at once. It’s made of warp-resistant heavy cast aluminum, is safe on both electric and gas cooktops, and is produced from a family-run company that was created after World War II. Try this Mini Cinnamon Pancakes recipe (kanelplättar), or even use the pan to make blini.Buy Now
Chef’s Choice Nonstick Pizzelle Maker, $49.95 from Amazon
Amazon
You’ve probably recognized a pizzelle at Christmas or Easter: a crisp and thin Italian cookie that resembles a snowflake, sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar. In order to perfect those intricate imprints, you may want to invest in a pizzelle maker. This model heats instantly and cooks two different designs of pizzelle at once in under a minute. It’s nonstick and has a locking latch to keep batter consistent in thickness. Enjoy pizzelle on their own alongside cocoa, coffee, or tea; try them with Nutella and other toppings; make them into napoleons; or crumble them on top of ice cream or mousse.Buy Now
Maamoul Mold, $11.95 from Hashems
Hashem’s
Maamoul are Middle Eastern puffed pastries or cookies filled with nuts like walnuts and pistachios, or sweet dates, and are enjoyed during Jewish, Muslim, and Christian holidays. Various mold shapes signify the type of stuffing used in the cookies. These untreated wooden molds are hand-carved and specifically made for creating walnut stuffed maamouls.Buy Now
Krups Belgian Waffle Maker, $57.32 from Amazon
Amazon
While we all love waffles, we are particularly smitten with Belgian waffles, which tend to be lighter and fluffier than American waffles, and feature deeper grooves—perfect for collecting butter, syrup, whipped cream, or melted chocolate. This model produces 4 waffles at once, has removable plates for easy cleaning that are dishwasher-safe, and has 5 settings to create the perfect browning level.Buy Now
Euro Cuisine Eco Friendly Heart Shaped Waffle Maker, $38.50 from Amazon
Amazon
Norwegian waffles or vafler are delectable, thin waffle snacks sold throughout Norway. You may see them being sold by the side of the street, or at skiing trails, and of course, enjoyed at home. Who could resist a sweet, heart-shaped waffle? This waffle maker features ceramic, eco-friendly, nonstick coating, and adjustable temperature, and can make 5 waffles at once. You can now celebrate February 14 all year long. You can use this for savory waffles too.Buy Now
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Stainless Steel Flan Mold, $18.70 from Amazon
Amazon
Flan is served all over the world, with heavy influences in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries. It’s a comforting custard typically topped with a sweet and sticky caramel sauce. This stainless steel flan mold features 3 clips to keeping flan secure and is dishwasher safe. Try making our Pumpkin Pie Flan recipe for fall.Buy Now
Bubble Waffle Maker, $39.99 from Amazon
Amazon
In Hong Kong, egg waffles are a popular street snack, and in the U.S. they’ve become an Instagram-worthy ice cream cone option in many places. A special mold uses sweet batter and creates a waffle with egg-shaped, puffed bubbles that are fun to pull apart and pop into your mouth. This bubble waffle maker will produce crispy and fluffy egg waffles in under 5 minutes. Top with fruit, ice cream, or eat as is, fresh and hot right out of the waffle maker.Buy Now
Wilton Doughnut Baking Pans, 2 for $17.85 from Amazon
Amazon
Doughnuts existed in America well before Dunkin’ sprang up, thanks to the Dutch who settled in the U.S. While doughnuts are usually fried, if you would like to attempt to be a little healthier, you can actually bake cake-style doughnuts too. These six-count trays are nonstick and dishwasher-safe. Have fun baking a variety of batters, and of course, enjoy decorating with icing, sprinkles, cookie crumbs, and more.Buy Now
Related Reading: Ice Cream Doughnuts Are the New Ice Cream Sandwich
Cuisinart Classic Nonstick Crepe Pan, $24.99 from Amazon
Amazon
Thin French pancakes or crepes are the perfect vessel for all sorts of sweet (and savory) meals. Nutella, fruit, powdered sugar, and other fillings taste even better in a buttery crepe. This nonstick pan is easy to clean and oven-safe, and can also be used for grilled cheeses if you want to expand your cooking game.Buy Now
Related Reading: Savory Pancakes from Around the World
Norpro Nonstick Aebleskiver Pan, $35.19 from Amazon
Amazon
Aebleskiver look like a Danish version of doughnut holes but their consistency is a bit more like a pancake. They tend to be served with fruit jam, syrup, or powdered sugar, and are cooked in a cast iron pan that resembles an egg poacher. This particular pan is nonstick, but you can also buy a cast iron aebleskiver pan; either way, it can also be used to make Kuzhi paniyaram, a sweet or savory Indian snack or breakfast, and Japanese takoyaki.Buy Now
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Porcelain Souffle Dish, $4 from Sur La Table
Sur La Table
What’s more quintessentially French and cozy than a chocolate souffle? Creating a souffle takes patience and lots of eggs, which is the key to creating that signature lighter-than-air texture. Souffle dishes tend to have tall sides to help support and hold up the souffle. These dishes can also be used for other individual desserts or savory meals, and are easy to clean, so it’s definitely worth adding one to your kitchen.Buy Now
Header image courtesy of Amazon
