A clever tool for every cook and baker is the Danish dough whisk, which looks like a miniature rug beater and is actually made in Poland, not Denmark. This handy tool is more than a wooden spoon in combining foods, but less than a whisk (which can get clogged in thicker batters).

Anyone who has taken a bread-making class from Margi Kahn (her upcoming bread classes are on December 1, January 12, and March 2) is a convert to the wonders of this tool, which is also called a brotpisker (German for bread whisk). But the Danish dough whisk isn’t just for making bread doughs. Here are some other uses for our favorite whisk:

• Pancake and waffle batter
• Cake batter
• Polenta and grits
• Mashed potatoes
• Pate a choux dough

This fabulous tool is only $7.95 and is the right size and shape to fit into any stocking! Buy a Danish dough whisk.