Gear: silicone roller

First there were nonstick silicone baking pads and pans, and now there's SilPin, a stylish new silicone rolling pin. In a side-by-side test with a standard wooden pin, it stuck a little less to buttery sugar-cookie and pie dough, and its heft and weight made pushing out lumps easy and as smooth as, well, butter. No less important, the fetching hues (red, hot pink, tangerine, and more, with sleek zincalloy or rubber handles) make color coordinating with your kitchen a decorator's dream. Red model is $50 at Sur La Table (www.surlatable.com or 800/243-0852). Visit www.fiestaproducts.com for other colors.

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