We’ve baked a number of pie shells “blind,” unfilled but weighted down with foil and dried beans, rice, etc. The Pie Weight Disc from Williams-Sonoma tops them all. Looking like a daisy, this new tool features silicone petals and handle, plus a perforated steel center. Designed to fit 9- to 11-inch diameter pie pans, those silicone flaps fit nicely up the sides of the shell, preventing shrinking and puffing. The perforated metal deters a soggy bottom crust and promotes browning. It won over veteran bakers when we tested it in our Test Kitchen. It’s $12.95. For a store locater or to buy: williams-sonoma.com.
Hanukkah has a delicious sweet side to it, with jelly doughnuts called sufganiyot and foil-wrapped chocolate gelt. This trio of Chanukah Cookie Cutters from the shop in the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership adds one more sweet note to the holiday. Make baking and decorating them a family project — youngsters are experts at decorating with abandon. The stainless steel shapes are a dreidel, Star of David and menorah. The trio is $6.50. It’s available in the shop or online: shop.spertus.edu.
With clever twists and turns, the folks at Tovolo have tackled a few of the problems plaguing old turkey basters. The Dripless Baster has angled just enough to ease maneuvering around turkey. A pair of feet hold its tip off the counter, while a sturdy, dimpled silicone bulb helps the tool sit neatly on the counter. A cleaning brush is included. It’s $19.95. For a store locater or to buy: crateandbarrel.com.
