Accessories for pie and casserole transportation are not usually very sexy — think black vinyl and velcro straps. Vonny seriously glammed up the old-fashioned casserole carrier with bright stripes and polka dots, however, and now they've done the same for the pie carrier! More

3-Tier Stackable Cooling Rack from World Market

• $9.99
• World Market

Tiered cooling racks are a great space-saver in small kitchens; you can cool a whole batch of cookies without taking over the living room floor. I also think that World Market is one of the best sources for inexpensive, solid kitchen accessories and tableware, and this rack is a good example.

Made of chrome-plated wire. More

Q: After making a couple of ice cream cakes (including this amazing S'Mores version) this week with a fabulously sturdy borrowed springform pan, I'm realizing that I'm due for an upgrade of my own. I'd love a recommendation of a good brand. My friend's pan is Wilton, but it looks like her particular model is not being made anymore (and other Wilton ones have mixed reviews on Amazon).

Sent by Ann More

Do you use a pastry cloth? Though little more than a canvas cloth, this old-fashioned kitchen tool is charming in its simplicity and usefulness. More

Q: A lot of my favorite casserole recipes call for all sorts of dish sizes. Any thoughts on how to modify the recipe or what to do with the leftover that you can't fit in a pan that's too small?

I'd love to be able to fit a dozen shapes and sizes into my apartment kitchen, but space doesn't allow. In that vein, any suggestions as to which two sizes are the most used?

Sent by cfellini More

French Rolling Pin from Wood Elements

• $16
• Wood Elements

I've purchased many handmade wooden kitchen tools from Nashville-based Wood Elements, and I have always been delighted with the craftsmanship and silky, beautiful wood. These rolling pins are extremely functional but also beautiful enough to put on display in your kitchen.

13" long x 1 1/2" diameter. Also comes in a large size for $25. More

Cook and Serve Set

• $24.95
• Broadway Panhandler

These pans are handy: They go in the dishwasher, oven, and freezer. You can bake a cake or a casserole and then cover the leftovers with the pretty purple lid. But, let's face it: The real draw of this set is the polka dots. Isn't bakeware more fun with colorful polka dots?

Dishwasher, oven, microwave and freezer safe. 4.75" x 7.5" x 2" Large rectangular: 5.75" x 8.25" x 2.25". Also comes in a round set with stripes and orange lids. More

Patriotic Bake Cups and Toppers by Meri Meri

• $6.99
• Sur La Table

So, you want to create a festive dessert for July 4th, but the thought of wrangling red, white, and blue icing leaves you cold. Let someone else do the aesthetic work for you. Pop a couple dozen chocolate cupcakes into these Meri Meri bake cups, spike the tops with a (cardboard) skyrocket. See, easy as apple pie! They're even on sale.

24 cups and toppers. More

For anyone who's ever cradled a cake in their lap on a three-hour road trip or struggled to pack a dozen cupcakes without smearing the frosting, these handy carriers are for you. More

Chef’n Mixer Spatula

• $12
• Williams-Sonoma

I have a lot of spatulas in my kitchen, but the ones I reach for over and over are the ones that can most effectively scrape out my mixer bowl. Chef'n has a new spatula designed specifically for the curve of a stand mixer bowl, and it gets rave reviews at Williams-Sonoma. It fits around the blades, so you scrape down your mixer bowl without turning off the mixer.