I love a kitchen project that looks charming on the counter and actually solves a real problem, and this cookbook stand does both. By setting a small wooden plate easel inside a deep ceramic baking dish and stabilizing it with dried cinnamon sticks, you get a pretty, functional stand that keeps a cookbook or tablet upright while you cook.
This is the kind of DIY I’d make on a Sunday afternoon when I want the kitchen to feel a little more pulled together before a busy week. It’s especially great if you like cozy, warm décor but still need practical pieces that can move around easily. If you cook often, gift handmade items, or just want a simple no-power-tools project, this one is very doable.
Materials
1 deep ceramic baking dish, about 9 x 9 inches or 8 x 11 inches, at least 2 1/2 inches deep
Instructions
1. Wipe the ceramic baking dish and wooden easel with a dry microfiber cloth so everything is clean and dust-free before assembly.
2. Set the wooden plate easel inside the empty baking dish and test the fit, making sure it sits centered with enough room around the base for the cinnamon sticks.
3. If you want extra protection for your counter, press adhesive felt pads onto the bottom corners of the baking dish before filling it.
4. Remove the easel for a moment, then pour a first layer of dried cinnamon sticks into the dish until the bottom is loosely covered.
5. Place the wooden easel back into the dish, nestling its feet firmly into the cinnamon sticks so it stands upright and centered.
6. Add more cinnamon sticks around the easel base, tucking them in on all sides until the easel feels stable and the dish looks full and balanced.
7. Gently shake the dish once or twice and press a few more cinnamon sticks into any gaps so the easel stays steady when touched.
8. If the easel still shifts, add a small amount of removable mounting putty under the easel feet, then cover around the feet again with cinnamon sticks.
9. Set a cookbook or tablet on the easel and check the viewing angle; adjust the easel slightly deeper or more forward in the dish until it supports the weight comfortably.
10. Place the finished stand on your kitchen counter, island, or coffee station where you want easy access to recipes and a little extra cozy style.
Variations & Tips
For a stronger hold: Choose a heavier ceramic baking dish and a sturdier easel if you plan to hold a large hardcover cookbook instead of a lighter tablet.
For easy seasonal updates: Swap some of the cinnamon sticks for dried orange slices, pinecones, or whole walnuts around the edges, but keep enough cinnamon packed near the easel feet for stability.
For a cleaner look: Use cinnamon sticks that are close in size and trim out any broken pieces so the fill looks intentional instead of messy.
For everyday use: Keep this stand a little away from the stovetop so steam and splatters do not settle into the cinnamon sticks over time.
For tablet cooking: Test your device with the easel before final placement, since some tablets sit best when the easel is angled slightly farther back.
Gift idea: This makes a thoughtful housewarming or holiday gift if you pair it with a favorite cookbook, a tea towel, and a few fresh cinnamon sticks tucked into the dish.