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Crumble Crate
Pros:
- Challenging and rewarding for experienced bakers
- Each box contains at least one high-quality kitchen tool
- Included desserts come in different skill levels
- Desserts are some of the prettiest of all the boxes
- QR code with step-by-step videos and tips included
Cons:
- May be too challenging for beginners
- May require specialty tools, not included
- Not able to choose skill level
If you can’t remember the last time you tried something new in the kitchen, snag a subscription to Crumble Crate and shake things up a bit. This mid-to-advanced level baking subscription box offers a chance to learn new presentation skills, try innovative techniques and enjoy rare ingredients without ever heading to the grocery store. Each monthly shipment includes pre-portioned ingredients, baking tools and a recipe card with a QR code with instructional videos, shopping lists and tips. While some recipes are simple yet delicious, most offer a healthy challenge for experienced home cooks.
Our kit for the apple rose tart included essential tools, like a tart pan and pastry cutter. All tools included were high quality, though the recipe assumes that bakers already have a few pie tools (like pie weights and a pastry brush). Dry ingredients come pre-portioned. Most of the ingredients required come in the box, aside from a few humble ingredients like apples, butter, eggs and lemon juice that are pretty easy to source.
“I really appreciate that more specialty ingredients, like almond flour, are included,” says Deputy Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski. “This was nice because I didn’t need to buy an entire bag just to use a quarter cup in one recipe. The kit came with a nice full-sized sheet of instructions.”
Even as an experienced baker, Katie felt like this kit was a learning experience. “The directions were easy to follow, although I wish some were broken up into multiple steps. I had to re-read the frangipane and apple roses steps multiple times to ensure I was doing things correctly. I’ll also admit that the apple roses were challenging. They did not want to roll into roses. The good thing is that the tart still looks pretty, even if you don’t get perfect roses or you just stick in the slices,” she says. “This was as much an art project as it was a baking project.”
Despite this, her tart turned out stellar, and she learned a few new things along the way. We consider Crumble Crate a great pick for experienced bakers looking for inspiration or a new baking challenge. From what we can see from the growing number of reviews on the Crumble Crate website, the overall sentiment is positive for kits, particularly for kits like Dulce de Leche & Honey Cake and Peaches and Cream Muffins. On Amazon, there are also a handful of reviews, also positive. Maureen Bryan, verified purchaser, wrote, “Delighted that I ordered the Baking Box from Crumble Crate. I do not do a lot of baking, so loved the pre measured ingredients and detailed instructions.”
Baketivity
Pros:
- Easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations
- No measuring needed with prepackaged ingredients
- Creative, kid-friendly recipes, like unicorn cookies
- Includes a chef hat and an apron
- Delivered monthly for 3, 6 or 12 months
- Single kits available
Cons:
- Might be too simplistic for older kids and adults
- On the pricier side
- Individually wrapped, portioned ingredients create a lot of plastic waste
- Pre-portioned ingredients limit hands-on learning for kids
Whether it’s a rainy day or you need a snack for movie night, the Baketivity baking kit gets the whole family involved for delicious fun. Former Shopping Editor Caitlyn Fitzpatrick tested the brand’s cake pop kit, which makes roughly a dozen chocolate cake pops with rainbow sprinkles.
“I love that all of the dry ingredients come pre-measured, so it’s just a matter of opening each one and pouring into the appropriate mixing bowl,” says Caitlyn. Although the required perishable ingredients aren’t included, there isn’t anything needed that probably isn’t already in your kitchen, including an egg, butter, oil and hot water. “I like that although this kit is made for families and kids, it has you make everything from scratch. So, you can have kids as involved as you’d like in making the cake batter and frosting,” says Fitzpatrick. “And if this is an activity you’re accomplishing with multiple kids, there are enough things to do that no one will feel left out.”
One downside of the Baketivity cake pop kit, specifically, is that it has a couple stretches of long downtime. So fingers crossed your kid is OK with waiting for the cake to cool before crumbling it and for the cake balls to sit in the freezer for an hour before dipping them into the melted chocolate.
“My daughter is too young to join me in the kitchen right now, but I would absolutely break out a Baketivity baking kit with her. I think she’d get a kick out of the included chef hat and apron, and, of course, the finished result would be super tasty,” says Caitlyn.
Customer reviews are majority positive. Verified reviewer Lola Girl says of the pretzel making kit, “My kids and I had a great time making these pretzels. Love that all the ingredients are pre-measured and individually packaged and just the right size for my kids to participate. High-quality cooking kit with all the essentials for a fully functional pretzel baking experience. I wish the price was slightly cheaper, as I’d like to purchase more. But the kit makes a decent amount of pretzels considering the price. Not only was it a great experience but the pretzels tasted great!”
Wildgrain
Pros:
- Offers the joy of bread baking, minus the mess and time
- Every box includes about five to six different types of bread and pastries
- Free croissants in every box
- No thawing required
- Pasta and bread subscription box also available
- Skip or update delivery schedule available
- Supports small and local bakeries
Cons:
- Not for those who prefer baking bread from scratch
- Some complaints about shipping/temperature control issues and slow customer service
- Need to consume products soon after baking due to lack of preservatives
- Expensive compared to baking from scratch or buying fresh
If bread is your carb of choice, but you have no patience for proofing, then Wildgrain is the baking subscription box you’ve been looking for. This bread and pastry box offers a delightful assortment of ready-to-bake treats like English muffins, sourdough, brioche rolls and macarons, conveniently delivered to your doorstep every month. They even have a gluten-free option!
The best part? These delectable baked goods go straight from the freezer to your table in just 25 minutes—no need to remember to defrost them beforehand! Each delivery features a different selection, and you have the flexibility to pause your subscription or adjust its frequency at any time.
“The quality of the products is wonderful, with beautiful textures and great flavor,” shares former bakery owner and expert writer Molly Allen in her Wildgrain review. “Whether you’re looking for a gift for a bread baker or simply searching for a way to avoid separate trips to the local bakery, it’s a fantastic way to try new breads and pastries and keep them consistently stocked.”
While our tester’s experience with Wildgrain was overwhelmingly positive, other customers have unfortunately not been so lucky. On r/Breadit, we’ve seen complaints about slow or unresponsive customer support and boxes being destroyed during shipping. The latter is not really Wildgrain’s fault, but customers report an unwillingness or delay in solving the issue on Wildgrain’s part, i.e., offering a refund or even a discounted or free future box.
Still, plenty of subscribers are happy with the service and product. One Redditor writes, “Have gotten three boxes so far. It’s easy to delay or cancel boxes so that it works with your schedule. Honestly, I haven’t gotten any duds in the boxes. I am a giant fan of their chocolate chip cookies and my husband said the pizza was unexpectedly good. I think it’s pricey but it’s kind of magic how well it all reheats.”
BaKit Box
Pros:
- Explores new international recipes every quarter
- Each box contains three recipes
- Relatively inexpensive at about $25 per recipe
- Games, challenges and activities included
- Recipes are easy enough to involve the whole family
Cons:
- Ships out quarterly
- Not the best choice for picky eaters
- No option to buy one recipe at a time
Take your taste buds on a world tour without worrying about airfare or lost luggage with the BaKit Box. Full of international flavors and family-friendly flair, this baking subscription box offers pre-portioned ingredients for a globally inspired recipe every quarter.
My box arrived with a recipe card for South African black pepper chocolate cookies and enough dry ingredients to make about 24 cookies. Ingredients have clear labels, and each recipe sheet offers additional activities on the back, like word searches and taste test challenges. Apart from typical baking tools like mixing bowls, a whisk, a spatula, baking sheets and plastic wrap, the recipe required eggs, salt and butter from my kitchen. The concept itself was a fun idea—spicy and sweet, anyone?—and the activities on the recipe explored the different types of peppercorns, making it a great learning experience overall.
The recipes are easy enough to involve the kiddos, but they’re also delicious enough to entice adults, too. I never thought of trying black pepper and cardamom in a chocolate cookie. However, I can definitely see myself breaking out this recipe again. The cookies were chocolatey, moist and pleasantly peppery while still offering an indulgent sweetness. If you’re interested in trying recipes from other parts of the world, sign up for this one ASAP.
Verified reviewer Brooklyn says BaKit boxes are great for entertaining, writing in a review, “I have to entertain adults and kids, which can be challenging. This was literally the perfect solution. Not only does it provide nearly everything you need to bake, which kids love to do, but there is an educational angle to it, which is interesting and something I haven’t seen before.”
Another verified reviewer, Romi T., loved the STEM education element and ingredient choices. “My 7 year old was able to pour and mix 90% of the ingredients on his own and he loved the booklet that talked all about the Earth and how what he was making tied back to what he was reading. The ingredients are very high quality (spirulina instead of food dye is genius and healthy!).”
BaKit offers one-, three- and six-month subscriptions, but there are also options for one-off purchases on Amazon. There’s also the Bake & Explore 3-Kit Bundle on the CrateJoy site, which includes three international baking kits, with themes changing every quarter.
What to Look for When Buying a Baking Subscription Box
“Subscription boxes can be a super fun and approachable way to bake, especially if you’re short on time or don’t have easy access to high-quality ingredients,” says Laura Kasavan, professional baker and founder of Tutti Dolci Baking Recipes.
Before you start baking, it’s important to consider a few key details to ensure the best baking subscription is a good fit for your needs.
Type and Difficulty
First, think about the type of baked goods or treats you want to make. Are you eager to learn new cookie-baking skills or try fresh homemade desserts on a monthly basis? Perhaps you’re interested in experimenting with new bread-baking recipes.
Additionally, contemplate the level of involvement you desire in your baking experience. Some boxes offer ready-to-bake options that require no mixing or measuring, while others provide pre-measured ingredients and detailed instructions to help you master the recipe.
Lastly, think about your skill level. Some of the boxes on this list are best suited to those with prior baking experience, while others are tailored for families, kids and kitchen newbies.
Dietary Restrictions
Dietary restrictions can make it hard to find a baking subscription box, but there are a few that can accommodate those who are vegan or gluten-intolerant. Pay close attention to ingredient lists and look for certifications before ordering with a potential allergen. Many kits may be gluten- or vegan friendly but can’t eliminate the risk of cross-contamination.
Tools and Equipment
Many baking subscription boxes include accessories and tools for curating the perfect baked goods. For example, the Crumble Crate boxes we tested included necessary equipment like a tart pan. This is particularly helpful for those who aren’t used to baking and don’t have all the go-to tools for different baked goods. That said, be prepared with any baking kit to provide some basics, like mixing bowls, cookie sheets, spatulas, etc.
Variety
Are you looking for a niche baking subscription? Brands like Wildgrain cater specifically to bread lovers, for example, while others, like Doughp, focus only on cookie dough. If you’re looking for an educational (and tasty) activity for kids, BaKIT boxes nurture a child’s love of baking while also sneaking in some learning about other cultures, too.
How We Found the Best Baking Subscription Boxes
There are dozens of baking subscription boxes out there, each with its own skill level, price point and specialties. In order to narrow down our list, we first researched 15 baking boxes, looking at value, skill level, breadth of offerings and inclusions. From there, our team chose 10 to test. While testing each baking box in our own kitchens, we kept in mind typical ingredients and tools in the average person’s home. Four of the boxes were tested in an apartment with limited space to see how well they performed in a smaller kitchen.
Each of the boxes featured ticked our boxes in the following categories:
- Price compared to value
- Packaging and shipping quality
- Quality of ingredients
- Clarity of instructions
- How well the recipe matched the purported skill level
- Any extra tools or ingredients needed
- Number of servings
- Number of ingredients included
- Total cost of extra ingredients needed (usually perishables such as butter, milk, eggs)
Others We Tested
- Bake Eat Love Box: Formerly our Best Overall pick, we unfortunately no longer recommend subscribing to Bake Eat Love. Over the last year, we’ve seen customer complaints about missing shipments, hidden renewal fees and a lack of customer service. While we enjoyed our time subscribing to this box, no customer service responses to valid concerns makes this one a “no” from us.
FAQ
How do you start a baking subscription box?
Most baking subscription boxes can be started by signing up on the brand’s website and selecting the type of baked goods you want, the frequency you want them and the quantity desired. Many subscriptions also offer the option of pausing your subscription if you need a little break.
What’s included in a baking subscription box?
“Ideally, subscription boxes will include pre-measured ingredients, a well-tested recipe with step-by-step instructions, a visual guide (either process photos, a video link to follow along, or both) and any specialty tools necessary to complete the project,” says Laura.
There are also bake-from-frozen boxes offering pre-made dough or pastries that simply just need to be popped in the oven—no mixing or measuring required.
What are must-have tools for bakers?
Although there are baking subscription boxes that include some tools, it’s good to have some of the basics on hand.
“A good set of mixing bowls, a whisk and a silicone spatula are all must-have tools. I also recommend a roll of parchment paper,” says Laura. “If a box is pie-focused, you may need to have a rolling pin or pie dish on hand. If a box is cake-focused, you may need a rotating cake stand, offset spatula and piping tools. For more specific projects, make sure you have any additional tools beyond what’s included in the box.”
Are baking subscription boxes good for experienced bakers?
It depends! “While some baking boxes are specifically geared at beginning bakers, they can also be a fun and rewarding project for more experienced bakers who want to try out a new skill or take on a fresh challenge in the kitchen,” says Laura. “They’re a great way to elevate your skills and help you learn techniques that you can incorporate in future baking projects.”
The baking subscription boxes that come with pre-measured ingredients and instructions are a fun way to experiment with new recipes, although we understand that experienced bakers may find them too simple. More than anything, they’re an entertaining, time-saving way to try new goodies, no matter your skill level.
Are baking subscription boxes worth it?
Baking subscription kits are certainly more expensive than a store-bought mix, but if you prefer to bake from scratch or are looking to expand your repertoire, you will likely find value in having a subscription. For experienced bakers looking to level up their skills, a baking subscription kit offers a way to learn new techniques and master unique recipes.
Why You Should Trust Us
As someone who has tested dozens of the best subscription boxes and can’t get enough of home-baked goodies, baking subscription boxes are right in my wheelhouse. I’m a home cook with over 10 years of experience mixing, baking and experimenting with recipes. What started as a simple hobby quickly became my passion, and now I work full time as Taste of Home’s Shopping Editor, where I’m in charge of gift guides and testing new and delicious finds like snack subscriptions and cheese clubs.
For this story, we also consulted Laura Kasavan, a professional baker and recipe developer with over a decade of experience. She’s also the founder and creator behind popular baking and desserts site Tutti Dolci Baking Recipes.
Monica Petrucci, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this piece. She is a writer and editor with several years of experience covering home and commerce topics, with work published in Food & Wine, USA Today, AOL and more.
