Need a last-minute Mother's Day gift? I'm a pro baker, and these are my picks for moms who love the kitchen

Cast iron pans aren't as high-maintenance as you'd think, and they're ideal for a wide array of cooking tasks, from frying and searing to baking and roasting. Lodge has been in the cast iron business since 1896, so it knows a thing or two about crafting sturdy pieces designed to withstand practically any cooking environment. This skillet is no exception: It can be used on all cooktops, it's oven-safe and it can even be placed over a grill or open flame. Lodge pans are so durable, people are often able to pass them down to younger generations. 

Check out my full Lodge Cast Iron Skillet review for more. 

Slicing and dicing just got way more fun, thanks to this colorful knife set from Cuisinart. You'll get an 8-inch chef knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, a 6.5-inch utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife and protective sheaths for each. Since they're color-coded, you can designate one for meat, one for vegetables and so on — no cross-contamination to see here. Plus, these knives are a whopping 65% off!

Snag it for the best price we're seeing online while you can!

Black or white? At this price, get 'em both!

Your favorite culinary whiz will never have a dull moment in the kitchen again, thanks to this No. 1 bestselling knife sharpener. Equipped with three slots for sharpening, repairing, straightening and polishing, it'll take their old blades from obsolete to like new in just a few swipes. Plus, it comes with a handy cut-resistant glove to spare them from painful nicks.

"This is an incredible tool," raved a happy home cook. "Five-year-old expensive knives that I knew were dull feel like new — I didn’t realize how bad they were until I cut an onion right after sharpening them with this tool. Amazing."

Your Starbucks spending is about to go way down, thanks to this powerful handheld milk frother that lets you whip up foamy beverages in no time. Enjoy lattes and cappuccinos in the comfort of your own home — no chaotic line in sight. 

"So easy to use to make a cafe au lait or cappuccino," wrote a caffeine fiend. "I have also used it to whip eggs quickly for fluffy omelets. If you like frothy milk, save yourself the $5 coffees — this thing pays for itself."

This ain't your momma's spatula — but it should be! After all, Giada herself said she "can't live without" it. So, what sets it apart from the rest? For starters, it strikes just the right balance between being stiff enough to work through thick doughs and batters, yet flexible enough to get into the corners of bowls and pans to ensure everything gets mixed evenly (and scraped out). Its slim profile allows it to fit into tough-to-reach places, like inside Mom's food processor's bowl, and because it's made of platinum-grade silicone that's heat-resistant up to 550°F, she doesn't have to worry about it melting if she accidentally leaves it in a hot pan. This won't scratch the coatings of her pots and pans, and its grippy handle allows for more confident stirring. 

"I bought this per the recommendation of someone I met at a local kitchen and cookware store, and I love it!" gushed a five-star fan. "Great for daily cooking as well as baking. I don’t have to worry about plastic or other material spatulas melting on the side of a pan. It’s easy to clean and feels durable. I love that it’s got some bend/flex, but enough stiffness that it’s extremely versatile. I would be shocked if I needed to replace it anytime in the next several years, and I cook/bake regularly."

This multi-use, nonstick beauty just might become Mom's most-utilized piece of cookware, thanks to its thoughtful design (which has attracted celebs like Selena Gomez and Oprah, by the way). The ceramic coating is slick and free of PFAS, while the handle smartly doubles as a spoon rest. Speaking of utensils, it comes with a wooden spatula and metal steamer basket that can be used as a colander, and it's oven-safe up to 450°F for added versatility. 

"So much nicer on my wrists than my heavy pans," gushed a satisfied buyer. "Absolutely nothing sticks. So excited to add color back into my kitchen as well. I will say, the pan holds a lot more than it appears and is perfect for most meals."

Related: The best pots, pans and cookware sets for 2024, according to professional chefs

Add it to your cart while you can still get it on sale!

You can also get the chopper in gray/green or this sleek black.

Unlike the oil misters of my past, the Flairosol doesn't require pumping: All you do is fill it with oil, screw the top on and pull the ergonomic lever to spray. Now I'm able to control the amount of oil I use — one spray is usually enough for my smaller pans, and two is ample for my larger ones — resulting in food that takes on nice color without sitting in a pool of grease.

Check out my full Flairosol Olivia Oil Sprayer review for more. 

Snag this cutting board in four sizes and three neutral colors (prices vary). 

These insulated mugs caught the attention of Oprah, who included them on her Favorite Things 2023 list. "Is lukewarm tea anyone’s favorite? I don’t think so," she says. (And we're inclined to agree.) She continues: "Two sisters created this shapely double-walled design that keeps coffee, tisanes and hot chocolate warm to the very last drop." Oprah-approved, affordable and Mom is sure to adore them. 

"My grandma and I wanted to feel like the Hallmark Christmas characters with their clear hot cocoa mugs," shared one happy sipper. "These are great! Warms up hot in the microwave, but not hot to hold because of the double wall. Highly recommend as a gift!"

Snag it in gray, green, pink or this pretty blue!

Rachael Ray, Ina Garten, Giada De Laurentiis and even Reese Witherspoon use Boos Block cutting boards, so you know you're getting Mom a quality piece. Having a large slab like this will allow her to prep multiple ingredients on the same surface, and it's reversible in case she'd like to separate vegetables from meat. The indented handles on each side make for easier carrying too. 

"Terrific cutting board," raved one happy home cook. "I have the tiniest kitchen in my apartment, and after watching some organizing videos, I realized I should make my small counter space completely covered by this sturdy cutting board. Why bother storing those dinky bamboo cutting boards when my complete surface is usable for food prep!"

Meal prep is always more fun when you have pretty appliances doing most of the work.