Fall is in full swing and Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so it's time to bring out the seasonal pies! While we may never see the end of the rivalry between pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie, one thing's for certain: To make a fantastic pie, you need excellent baking tools. Whether you're a ride or die for sweet potato pie or have pledged your loyalty to pumpkin, if you're a baking enthusiast set on making not just good, but amazing pies—buttery, moist yet flaky and baked to Goldilocks perfection—you've got to give these must-have baking tools a try.

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1. Best Rolling Pin: HELFERX 15-Inch Stainless Steel Rolling Pin

$7.99 on Amazon

This stainless steel rolling pin may look like a far cry from the traditional American wooden pin, but it's no slouch. In fact, its handleless design—a growing trend in modern and professional kitchens—actually makes it easier to maneuver, which goes against intuition, but really works. The list of positives continues: Since it's made of stainless steel, its nonstick surface gets cold while you use it, keeping pie dough cool and further minimizing sticking (Pro tip: use cool butter to get flakier crusts). Plus, it's dishwasher-safe and fungus-resistant, so cleaning is a breeze. It measures 15 inches long, giving you plenty to work with when rolling pie dough or even pizza dough. If you've never ventured beyond your traditional wooden rolling pin with handles, give this discovery a try.

2. Best Pie Crust Cutter: Tovolo Precision Pie Crust Cutter With Measurement Guide

$12.52 at Wayfair

Once you've rolled out your crust dough, you need to shape it. This pastry compass from Tovolo makes it as easy as pie. The nylon pastry wheels deftly cut through dough and create a perfect circle every time. A ruler engraved onto the rotating arm helps you measure, and the sliding guide locks it in place. It also comes equipped with four different edge cutters. With this convenient tool, you can make perfect pie crusts for baking dishes ranging from as little as 2 inches in diameter to as large as 14 inches, giving you plenty of options. If only we could use the compasses in geometry class for something so delicious!

3. Best Pie Plate: OXO Good Grips Glass 9-Inch or 11-Inch Pie Plate

9-inch plate – $13.99 on Amazon

11-inch plate – $13.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

While there's nothing wrong with disposable pie tins, which come in handy when you're gifting pies, this glass pie plate from OXO is our pick because there are so many pluses to it.

First, its glass surface conducts heat gently and evenly, resulting in superior, flaky crusts. Second, its see-through bottom allows you to check the doneness of your pie. Third, its wide rim helps you easily take it out of the oven without getting your oven mitts in the pie itself. Fourth, it's made of thick borosilicate glass (instead of the more common tempered glass) that's resistant to thermal shock, meaning you can put it straight in the freezer with a lower risk of breaking. Fifth, it's microwave- and dishwasher-safe. And sixth, it comes with a vented plastic lid that helps prevent the pie from becoming soggy (but if you're afraid of losing too much moisture, you can simply put a kitchen towel over a couple of its four holes).

The plate is 2 inches deep, offering more volume than many other plates, and available in 9-inch or 11-inch diameters. If you're not giving a pie away, this pie plate checks all the boxes and then some.

4. Best Pie Weights: Mrs. Anderson’s Pie Weights & Pie Crust Weight Chain

Ceramic Pie Weights – $6.99 on Amazon

Pie Crust Weight Chain (Set of 2) – $12.99 on Amazon

Pie weights are especially useful when "blind baking" (pre-baking just the crust for ultimate flakiness) to keep your pie shell from puffing up and then deflating, which would leave it a wrinkly mess. These popular pie weights from Mrs. Anderson's Baking Store come as little ceramic balls or as a long chain of stainless steel beads. The ceramic balls are heat-resistant up to 480 degrees Fahrenehit, while the pie weight chain is safe up to 475 degrees. The 6-foot chain is plenty to weigh down the crusts of 8-inch to 10-inch pies, and each chain weighs about 5 ounces. We recommend getting the set of two on Amazon, as it's a much better deal than getting just one.

Tip

Line your pie shell with parchment paper before filling it with the pie weights. This will prevent them from sticking to the dough, and also make them easier to remove. Pour them in a heat-safe bowl when finished to cool down.

5. Best Pie Crust Shield: Nordic Ware Adjustable Pie Shield, Metal

$13.00 on Amazon

If you've ever run into the problem of the edges of your crust overcooking while the middle of your pie is still a soupy consistency, then this adjustable pie shield by Nordic Ware is the answer to your pie prayers. Made from aluminum, the ring is heat-resistant up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and adjusts to fit pies from 8 inches to 10 inches in diameter. Say goodbye to burnt edges and hello to delicious, evenly-baked crust!

Honorable Mention: Adjustable Pie Shield, Silicone

$7.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond (regular price)

$6.39 at Bed Bath & Beyond (Beyond+ member price)

We also like this silicone pie shield available at Bed Bath & Beyond that adjusts from 8 inches to 11 1/2 inches in diameter. You simply secure the tab lock into a notch, depending on how big your crust is. It's also heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe.

It's hard to put much effort into making breakfast when you're still mostly asleep, trying to get kids ready for school or running late for work. This is why so many of us end up eating energy bars or fast food for breakfast – or worse yet, skipping this crucial meal altogether. With these easy hacks, the promise of a mouthwatering (and easy) breakfast may help you keep your finger off the snooze button.

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1. Put Everything in the Waffle Maker

Everything tastes better in waffle form. Use a waffle maker to cook crispy breakfast sausage, hash browns and cinnamon roll dough. Your waffle maker can also cook eggs, either plain or with added toppings. Even the pickiest little eaters may accept veggies when they're part of a waffle omelet.

2. Keep Smoothie Bags in the Freezer

A tart, creamy smoothie is the perfect on-the-go breakfast, but during a busy morning, you may not have time to trim fresh strawberries, wash and chop spinach or measure the right mix of chia and flax seeds. Keep individual bags of prepped smoothie ingredients in your freezer. Dump the contents in the blender, add some juice or milk and maybe add a big scoop of Greek yogurt. Using frozen fruit means you can skip using ice.

3. Eat Breakfast on a Stick

Only fun foods come on sticks. Ice cream bars, kebabs and corn dogs are all crowd pleasers, and it's no coincidence that they're all served on sticks. Why shouldn't breakfast be more fun? If nothing else, serving breakfast on a stick may make it more palatable to picky kids. Make your own frozen yogurt bars using Greek yogurt and fresh fruit and nuts or put cooked breakfast sausages on sticks and dip them in pancake batter to make deep-fried breakfast skewers.

4. Make Big-Batch Eggs for Sandwiches

Some mornings, nothing but a hot, cheesy egg sandwich will do. Prepare in advance for those mornings by keeping a big batch of homemade breakfast sandwiches in the freezer. Blend eggs with milk and seasonings and bake the mixture in a rimmed sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Add toppings, bake until the eggs are set and then cut them into squares and create your sandwiches. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and freeze them in an airtight container for up to a month.

5. Put Your Slow Cooker to Work

Your slow cooker can make a lot more than dinner. Set it up at night and you'll wake up to a fresh, hot breakfast. Use a slow cooker to make overnight oatmeal, cheesy hash brown casserole or a savory egg frittata. You can also try making overnight French toast casserole, but don't be surprised if the smell of warm bread and cinnamon sugar wakes you at 3 a.m.

6. Microwave a Mug Pancake

If you can make a single-serving cake in a microwavable mug, doesn't it make sense that you could prepare a pancake this way too? The microwave is the quickest way to achieve the taste of fresh, made-from-scratch pancakes. Mix a little flour, milk and a few other ingredients in a sturdy mug and 60 seconds later, you'll be drizzling maple syrup over your breakfast.

7. Make No-Bake Energy Bites

Are you not big on baking or cooking? You can still whip up a nutritious homemade breakfast. No-bake energy bites come together with just oats, honey or maple syrup, nut butter, flax seed and nuts or chocolate chips. Go ahead and make a big batch – just don't pretend you're only going to eat them during the breakfast hour.

8. Transform Leftovers With Eggs

No matter what you had for dinner last night, there's a good chance it would make a tasty breakfast this morning. Adding eggs can transform any number of savory dishes. Chop up leftover meat and mix it with egg to make a simple frittata, put a few fried eggs on a bed of leftover steamed veggies or softly scramble eggs and mix in plain leftover pasta and plenty of Parmesan cheese while the pan is still on the heat.

9. Keep Egg Muffins in the Freezer

Mini egg muffins are a perfect way to use up leftover veggies, meat and other odds and ends in your fridge. They'll keep in the freezer for several months. Egg muffins are delicious hot but nearly as good at room temperature, so these are a perfect grab-and-go breakfast treat. Move a few from the freezer to the fridge at night and they should be nearly thawed by breakfast time.

10. Make Breakfast Cookies

Breakfast = good. Cookies = good. So, why did it take so long for us to embrace the concept of breakfast cookies? Sure, something loaded with sugar and chocolate isn't the most nutritious choice for the first meal of the day. However, when your breakfast cookies are made with whole grains and nuts and sweetened with applesauce or mashed banana, they're a no-guilt complement to your morning cup of coffee or tea.

Pressure cookers are great for quickly preparing delicious meals without much fuss or cleanup. By building up pressure and trapping steam, they heat food faster than other cooking methods—shortening cook times—and they increase flavor development and promote nutrient retention.

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There are two main types of pressure cookers: stovetop and electric. Stovetop pressure cookers tend to build higher pressure and cook a little faster than their electric counterparts. These days, electric pressure cookers are often actually multi-cookers that have more features and that can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté and more; these are handy appliances for people with limited kitchen space who want one convenience item that does a lot.

And just in case you have visions of cooking vessels exploding under pressure, or a lid being propelled at high velocity across your kitchen, don't worry. Quality pressure cookers available today have safety features like an automatic safety release valve that prevent disasters and make these appliances perfectly suitable for beginners.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Pressure Cooker

​Style:​ Do you want a stovetop pressure cooker or an electric one? Again, the stovetop style is a slightly more efficient cooking apparatus, but it's generally more limited than electric ones. Still, because it's used on the stove, it can double as a regular pot, it's also good for searing and it requires no plug. It's also usually cheaper than electric versions and easier to find in a wider range of sizes.

But the best electric pressure cookers today are easier to use and have timers and sensors that regulate pressure and cater better to the set-it-and-forget-it style of cooking. They also tend to cook more evenly at the bottom, reducing the risk of scorched food and tough cleanup. If you're going with an electric model, decide whether you want one that's only a pressure cooker, or if you prefer the more-common multi-cooker that does lots more than just pressure cooking.

​Settings:​ This is mostly a consideration if you're going with an electric pressure cooker or multi-cooker. If you opt for a multi-cooker, consider which cooking methods it can handle and peruse the list of additional features. The more you get, the more you're likely to spend, so find the balance of versatility and affordability that appeals to you. Look for models with a lot of automation, yet allow you to manually adjust the cook time and pressure at the start of cooking and during the process. See if the user interface looks simple and intuitive, with clearly marked buttons and a large, informative display screen.

​Capacity:​ Small pressure cookers usually run from 2 to 4 quarts, and they're adequate for people who only cook for one or two. Standard pressure cookers run from 5 to 8 quarts, with a 6-quart capacity being large enough for a family of four. They're also good for cooking in bulk for fewer people so you can prepare food for the week or stock your freezer. Large pressure cookers run up to around 14 quarts, and these make the most sense for people who cook for groups (or who like to ​really​ stock their freezer).

​Price:​ You can get a small, basic stovetop pressure cooker for around $25, though $60 to $100 is where many stovetop models sell. Electric pressure cookers and multi-cookers generally retail between $80 and $160. Of course, there are high-end models of both types that reach into the several-hundred-dollar range. The size and capabilities affect the cost, obviously, but you certainly don't have to shell out for the most expensive pressure cooker you can find to get a high-quality, reliable appliance.

There are lots of stovetop and electric pressure cookers to choose from. These considerations should help you settle on one that's just right for your needs.

The Best Stovetop Pressure Cooker

Kuhn Rikon Duromatic 6.3-Quart Pressure Cooker

$222.01 at Amazon

This one's admittedly an expensive pressure cooker, especially for the stovetop style. But it's a good investment in a piece of kitchen equipment that will serve you well for many, many years. This durable model delivers superior cooking results, it has great safety features (including an automatic pressure-release valve and a steam shield that reduces the risk of burns), it has a spring-loaded pressure gauge (rather than the less appealing, old-fashioned jiggler gauge), and it's also very elegant and attractive.

Cooking is especially efficient with this model, which maintains and distributes heat exceptionally well. The central valve for toggling between low pressure, high pressure and release and the accompanying indicator rod are a welcome, user-friendly improvement over the normal system of valves, switches or levers on most stovetop pressure cookers. The valves and rods are also easy to remove and clean, and the valve is made of metal so it will last. It's not recommended to put any component of this stainless steel appliance in the dishwasher, but it's easy to clean by hand.

​At a Glance:​

• Manufacturer: Kuhn Rikon
• Style: Stovetop pressure cooker
• Capacity: 6.3 quarts
• Size: 11.4" x 11.2" X 10.3"
• Material: Stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe: No

The Best Budget Stovetop Pressure Cooker

Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

$89.89 at Amazon

If the Kuhn Rikon is beyond the reach of your budget or your willingness to spend, this is a much more affordable, easy-to-recommend option with enough capacity for most people's needs. It's a simple kitchen tool with simple controls, and it gets the basics of pressure cooking done well. That is, it consistently and automatically maintains the proper pressure, distributes heat evenly, cooks efficiently and the lid stays secure. It's made from stainless steel, as opposed to aluminum like many of the other budget-friendly stovetop pressure cookers on the market. Along with greater durability, that makes it better suited to acidic foods.

One nice bonus with this model is the included rack that holds food off the bottom of the pot for increased control over cooking. There's a cover lock indicator that lets you know when the pressure is reduced enough to safely open the lid, and the helper handle facilitates easily moving the pressure cooker. Cleanup is a breeze too, as this pressure cooker is almost entirely dishwasher safe; just remove the overpressure plug and sealing ring first and hand-wash those.

​At a Glance:​

• Manufacturer: Presto
• Style: Stovetop pressure cooker
• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Size: 9.12" x 17.31" x 8.75"
• Material: Stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

The Best Overall Electric Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

$89.00 at Amazon

Instant Pot is a well-known and beloved name in multi-cookers. This is one of its most popular models for pressure cooking and more, as it's an excellent value for all you get. Not only is this an amply sized electric countertop pressure cooker, it also slow cooks, browns and sautés, steams, cooks rice, makes yogurt and warms food (thus the "7-in-1").

There are plenty of thoughtful features. For example, there's an exceptionally user-friendly interface, a delayed start feature, long-lasting automatic and manual keep-warm features, the stainless steel insert has a triple-ply base for even heating, and the lid is removable for easy cleaning and can be conveniently stored vertically on either handle. As for making life easier when you're pressure cooking, you have precise temperature control and there are 13 pre-programmed settings for pressure cooking various foods—and this machine cooks them quickly.

It also comes with a steaming rack for steaming foods and elevating them off the bottom of the pot. Plus, get peace of mind knowing this appliance has more than 10 safety features. And that cleanup won't be a chore, as the inner pot, lid and accessories are all dishwasher safe.

​At a Glance:​

• Manufacturer: Instant Pot
• Style:

Electric countertopmulti-cooker

• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Size: 13.38" x 12.2" x 12.48"
• Material: Stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe Removable Pot: Yes

The Best Budget Electric Pressure Cooker

Farberware 6-Quart Programmable Digital Pressure Cooker

$49.88 at Walmart

If you're seeking a low-cost electric countertop pressure cooker and multi-cooker, Farberware makes this great option. You're not sacrificing size, functionality or reliability to save money with this one. The 6-quart capacity is adequate for family cooking, and multi-cook options beyond pressure cooking include slow cooking, rice cooking, browning and sautéing, steaming and more.

Nine pre-programmed settings for common cooking tasks like steaming fish or vegetables, making soups and stews, cooking rice or risotto, and others greatly simplify use and eliminate the guesswork. And this model's pressure cooking and other methods turn out consistently well-cooked, tasty finished products, including perfectly tender meat.

There's a safety release valve to maintain proper pressure, and the lid seals securely and won't open if there's too much pressure inside. The easy-grip handles facilitate portability, and the inner pot is dishwasher safe. Overall, for the price, this is a smart purchase.

​At a Glance:​

• Manufacturer: Farberware
• Style:

Electric countertopmulti-cooker

• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Size: 12.2" x 12" x 12.6"
• Material: Stainless steel
• Dishwasher-Safe Removable Pot: Yes

The Best Large-Capacity Pressure Cooker

GoWISE USA 14-Quart 4th-Generation Electric Pressure Cooker

$129.95 at Amazon

For those who need a massive pressure cooker to quickly and easily prepare delicious food for a crowd or to load up their freezer with ready-made meals, this is a go-to choice. This multi-cooker is as big as electric pressure cookers get, but it offers plenty more than size. It has 12 convenient pre-programmed settings to automatically set the pressure, method and cook time for a range of commonly prepared foods with the touch of a button.

The delay timer is a nice feature and one that can often come in handy when you're busy and trying to put together a large meal. Also useful is the ability to adjust the pressure and cook time, as well as the automatic keep-warm feature. The LED display is informative on this model, and the user interface is intuitive. A steaming rack, steaming basket and a few other practical accessories are included, too. The ceramic-coated inner pot shouldn't go in the dishwasher, but it's generally easy to clean.

​At a Glance:​

• Manufacturer: GoWISE USA
• Style: Electric countertop multi-cooker
• Capacity: 14 quarts
• Size: 13" x 16" x 15"
• Material: Stainless steel exterior; ceramic-coated inner pot
• Dishwasher-Safe Removable Pot: No