Big stand mixer for big batches of cookies

Some kitchen appliances just can't stand up to the rigors of...the kitchen. To be fair, it's is not always plastic parts or shoddy manufacturing that causes these breakdowns; sometimes it is just a matter of pushing an appliance past its limits. Anybody who has ever tried to use a blender as a food processor understands this. The right tool for the job can make all the difference in the world--especially when in need of big batches.

The KitchenAid 7-quart stand mixer is a workhorse for the kitchen. Literally. Featuring a 1.3-horsepower motor and an oversize work bowl, the 25-pound machine is meant for everything from easy mixing to heavy-duty applications. Complete with metal finishing touches and a die-cast zinc housing, the high-performance machine is meant to take a beating as well as dole one out--thanks to its myriad assortment of attachments.

Shipped with a wire whip, a flat beater and a dough hook, the stand mixer supplies enough to get started making bread, cookies, and whatnot to feed a crowd--and when it is time to expand the options, the well-known line of KitchenAid attachments will work. Handy features like a bowl lift and quiet operation ensure that even though the machine is designed for big batches, it will still stay strong for the little everyday stuff, too.