I can't be the only home baker who fantasizes about running my own artisan bakery. If you've got one of the best bread makers and love nothing more than whipping up a fresh loaf ready for the morning (there's nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread), you'll also know that slicing it can be a real pain.
I often end up with wonky wedges of sourdough that don't fit in my toaster when I tackle my homemade loaves with a regular bread knife, although a hack that I recently spotted on Joanna Gaines' Instagram has made me realise that I'm missing one key tool.
An avid baker herself, Joanna reveals the secret to transforming your home baking setup: a bread slicer. Granted, it's not the most inexpensive tool you can buy, but if, like me, you make a lot of bread, it will save you so much time (and arguments with the toaster!). Plus, you can also use it for meats, cheeses, and more, so if charcuterie boards are your thing (check our designer Bryan Graybill's charcuterie formula) then you'll find this to be good value for money.
Boasting a glossy cream finish just like Joanna's, this bread slicer combines functionality with retro style. Fitted with a serrated blade and a hand crank, it makes light work of an entire loaf of bread (not to mention deli meats and cheeses).
'One of my favorite things about making sourdough bread – other than eating the sourdough bread – is slicing it,' Joanna explains. Thanks to its slowly-rotating blade, it leaves Joanna with a stack of perfectlyy uniform slices ready to be fried on the stovetop and layered up for a grilled cheese recipe.
While the video was met with a stream of adoring comments, I must admit that I was surprised to see this particular tool outside of a professional bakery – but then again, that's exactly the point.
'I like to pretend that I have a bakery and people are asking me for sliced sourdough bread,' Joanna adds. 'I even like to bag it up; it's the best part.'
Upon closer inspection, Joanna's bread slicer is full of handy features. The blade itself is mounted to a rather gorgeous cream metal stand, while the bottom of the slicer is fitted with a built-in wooden bread board, so you don't have to worry about messy countertops.
I would be tempted to display this on my countertop itself – but since I'm forever trying to make more counter space in my small kitchen, it might prove a challenge. It is, however, an ingenious addition to any home baker's arsenal, and it has jumped right to the top of my kitchen wish list.
Shop our favorite bakery-style accessories
Lean into the home bakery aesthetic with these rustic bread baskets, boards and boxes.
Bring some cottagecore kitchen style into your home with this rattan bread basket – the subtly scalloped edges are so elegant.
I always find it difficult to resist a William Morris pattern, and this bread box has totally won me over. I love the glossy acacia wood lid and subtle gold trim.
If, like me (and Joanna Gaines) you can't get enough of scallops – we're loving her Magnolia scalloped decor) you'll likely be taken with this wooden board; I can imagine it gracing the worktops of my home bakery.
I've been keeping an eye out for all of the kitchenware in Joanna Gaines' new cooking show, and I'm swooning over this serving board; the lattice pattern creates a real vintage feel.
If you're really aiming for that bakery-style feel, I think this two-tier bread box is perfect. The ribbed detailing really elevates the look.
H&M's 2025 fall tableware has arrived, and it's gorgeous – this sleek serving board is guaranteed to impress your guests.
If you love the home bakery idea, how about tapping into the trend for turning your kitchen into a cafe with these coffee bar essentials.
