I do a lot of cookie baking. I have been using ny processor to make the dough. It is in bad shape. Besides it is time consuming. I'm lEANING TOWARD THE mixer.
I'm looking for feed back.
thanks, Connie

I think whatever is easier for you to clean and store easily?
Both will do the job quickly, but if they are not convenient in the cleaning/storage areas they can be an issue.

I like my big Stand mixer, because it is versatile and only had a food processor for a short time (but that was when they first came out, maybe new ones are easier to clean and store now).

SIL does a lot of baking... makes a KIL LER chocolate chiffon cake. Bought herself a standard model KA stand mixer (tilt head)several years ago and RAVED about it. Me... thinking NO WAY I'd spend that kinda money when I don't bake that much. She FORCED me to take it home that Thanksgiving Day... with strict orders to return it the following weekend. I cranked out dough for 4-5 different kinds of holiday cookies with butter barely outta the fridge... and all I hadda do was measure and WATCH! I was HOOKED!

Bought one for myself same day I returned hers.

When I found a "vintage", faded yellow, crank up/down at Good Will... with dough hook, whisk, and paddle... for $20... I JUMPED on it! It ran smoothly and wasn't cruddy. Cleaned it up, taped everything off, and spray painted it out with flat black paint I had for outdoor gas grill... looks like a millioin! AND found a spare bowl a few months ago at GW, too!

After a few no-name food processors, splurged on a basic model Cuisinart and LOVED it from first pulse! THEN I found ANOTHER one at a thrift store for $8!! Had blades and shredding/slicing disks and ran fine. Figured a spare bowl at the least. BUT it was a step up from what I already had... larger capacity... WOO! HOO!

Don't use either on a daily basis, most times... but both are worth the space they take up in kitchen!

If it was me, I'd get the KA. I would be lost without mine during the holidays. Best mashed potatoes ever! Have used my 30+yr. old processor maybe once a year.

If you do get a stand mixer, I would recommend the big one, if you ever make multi batches of heavy dough or bread dough.
I have a 6 quart one with bowl lift. It works terrific with bread dough, and big batches of anything. Not in use all the time, but love it when I do use it. (Note: It is tall, and can take up counter or cabinet space)

I have a standered mixer(not sure what brand) that I have had for at least 30 years( and it still works fine) that I love. It has two bowls with it( one large and one small) and a removable head. Also has 2 different types of beaters, one a pair of standered type beaters and one single "whipping" beater. While I no longer bake as much as I used too(passed that onto my daughter) I still do use it a lot.
I can remove the head of the mixer, to use the beaters to mash potatoes,(nothing get them smother then the beater!) I also use the single beater to whip cream(that takes some practice to keep the cream from turning into butter).
I also have a food processor that I use less often. The reason for that is because it seems to me, that it is harder to controll the speed,
how it mixes "stuff", ect. And also the consistency of the whatever you are working with.
However, I do have use for both of these appliances for different reasons, and wather or not you need both of them, depends on how much and what you cook/bake, and or if you can find another way to acheive the same results with just one of them.
I also have to add that it also depends on what attachments you have for your mixer. The mixer that I had had several attachments, including a meat grinder, a pasta maker, and a cookie press of some kind(lost that one somewhere along the number of moves I have made over the years.)
Before you decide which,if either, you need, think about how you cook/bake, what would you use this applience for, how often you would you use it, do you have room to store it,and if you have room to store it, how easy wold it be to get too when you want to use it.( from my years of cooking for a family((I am now alone)), I have a ton of "stuff" that is stored so far back in my cupboards that I have to empty the whole shelf before I can get to what I want).
The other thing to consider about is, if you only need either applience for occasional use, might it be cheaper to rent it for the time you need it rather then buy it and have to store it all the time.
HTH,
Mary

I have both and have them for quite a while. I have a 16 yo KA 5 qt. I LOVE it! I use it for doughs as well as mixing biscuits/scones and I bought a copper mixing bowl a few years ago and love that -- it's great to have two bowls for those separated egg cakes.

I love my KA as well -- it's great for pie crusts and I have a cupcake recipe (from Nigella) that is mixed in the food processor -- you just pour everything in and blitz!

If I had a choice of the two -- I would go for the mixer for I think of the two I use that most. But when I do use the processor, I'm really glad I have it! (Like shredding cabbage for 100 for the Oktoberfest cole slaw).

And as thatchairlady said, you might find a food processor at a thrift store that works well.

Martha

I bake a lot around the holidays and can't rave enough about my KA mixer tho I wish it had a tilt head. I have bought several over the years for family member's weddings too. I also use my Cuisinart processor for some dough mixing plus chopping, grating, etc. and love it. If you can only afford one now or have limited space, I'd recommend the KA mixer. You can mix cookie dough or bread dough, cakes, pie fillings, frostings, etc. If you purchase a mini processor, you can chop nuts or dried fruits as well as make spreads or dips, etc.

Use both of mine constantly. They have different purposes. You really can't make cakes and do a lot of baking with a food processor. Shredding, cutting, mincing are great with a food processor and the attachments to a mixer just don't do the same job. I like to cook and bake so I've had both for many years. I've replaced both too. I'd consider which I would use more often and go with that appliance first.

My Cuisinart food processor is OLD!! One of the plastic parts on the handle mechanism just broke so I don't know if I'll be able to find a replacement or not. I didn't use it often, but loved it when it was needed.

The Kitchen Aid sits on the counter. I got it 13 or 14 years ago and wouldn't be without it.

I also have a mini Black & Decker food processor that is very handy for small batches.

I've had a KA stand mixer for 15 years now. LOVE IT!
My food processor was considerably older and still in great shape because I didn't it use...it was loud...and stored in the pantry so it was easy to forget. I got a new KA food processor last year before Thanksgiving but for Christmas. It lives on the countertop beside the toaster oven. I use it regularly. DH wanted me to put it in the pantry...I told him I'd use it a couple of times a year. My kitchen...I want my pretty empire red tools where I can see them!

If I had to choose between a stand mixer or a food processor...I'd have both! Really...the mixer wins hands down.

I've bought replacement parts for my Cuisinart but they are very expensive, almost as much as a new one--plastic bowls, the top of the bowl--you have to buy both pieces together. The new KA should be adjusted but it would cost a fortune to ship it back so I have called them and adjusted a screw. I am on KA number 3, first one lasted 20 years, the second leaked oil after 5 years.

Have a KA and am thankful for it. However, we have a 2nd food processor and wouldn't mind the larger KA food processor that just came out this year. Our attachments for the KA mixer is on a peg board as art! Handier to have them in the open like this. No longer hear the phrase"Where Is.....?" Next, will be the pasta attachments AFTER the new food processor.

I have a KA mixer - and wouldn't be without it. It's the only appliance I use for cookie dough - but also for kneading small batches of pizza dough as well. I use my Cuisinart for chopping, slicing, shredding - and sometimes in recipes which specifically call for using it. I wouldn't be without either one of these appliances. And I've gone through two other stand mixers - but with the KA, I take it in to the shop for cleaning & servicing every few years - I have two stainless steel bowls - and I got a paddle with the rubber wings so that the bottom of the bowl is swept of all dough.
They both are terrific aids in the kitchen - musts.

Seaborne, Thanks for sharing that it can be taken into the shop for cleaning and servicing. DH just wants to get a new one. lol

Okay, I gotta ask. Seaborne, what kind of shop do you take it to? I'd be at a total loss as to where to find one.

Small appliance repair shop - very close to us - but then we are in an urban area - with shops of all kinds within a short driving distance. This shop also carries replacement parts for most major appliances.
Look up small appliance repair on-line - or in your Yellow Pages.