The Wirecutter Show

• How to Nail the Perfect Cookie with NYT Cooking’s Vaughn Vreeland

  Holiday baking season is here, and nobody knows how to bake a delicious cookie better than Vaughn Vreeland, host of NYT Cooking’s Bake Time and author of the book, Cookies. In this episode, Vaughn breaks down the gear you actually need, and shares clever fixes for common cookie problems—from his best advice to using browned butter in a recipe to reducing sugar without sacrificing flavor. He also walks us through his best tricks for better texture, picture-perfect tops, and the surprising savory ingredients that make sweet cookies even better. This episode covers:  The essential gear every baker needs. Vaughn recommends a strong silicone spatula (“spoonula”), a cookie scoop, a rimmed baking sheet, a kitchen scale, and a cooling rack that fits inside the sheet pan are all key tools to make the baking process easier.Nice-to-have upgrades that actually make a difference. Vaughn says that offset spatulas, ring molds for perfectly round cookies, and oven thermometers improve consistency and confidence.How to troubleshoot flat or spreading cookies. Chilling the dough (always after scooping), adjusting sugar ratios, refreshing your baking soda/powder, and avoiding overcrowded pans can help with this common problem.How to reduce sugar without ruining texture. According to Vaughn, water is the secret ingredient in cookies. If you’re going to reduce the sugar, and possibly some of the fat, a splash of water can help rebalance the dough.Savory ingredients that level up cookies. Miso, olive oil, gochujang caramel, and other surprising add-ins create depth, balance sweetness, and make flavors pop.Lightning-round fixes for common cookie issues. Hard? Overbaked. Cakey? Too much flour. Burning on the bottom? Your oven might run hot.The best advice for any cookie baker. Mistakes happen—but baking should stay fun. And if all else fails, at least you’ll have a cookie at the end of the day. Wirecutter picks for baking cookies: Our favorite silicone baking mat: Silpat Nonstick Silicone Baking MatOur favorite spatula: GIR Mini Flip Silicone SpatulaOur favorite cookie scoops: Norpro Grip-EZ 2-Tablespoon Stainless ScoopOur favorite kitchen scale: Escali Primo Digital ScaleOur favorite baking sheet: Nordic Ware Naturals Baker’s Half SheetOur favorite offset spatula: Ateco 4.5-Inch Offset Spatula 1385Our favorite cooling rack: Sur La Table Stainless Steel Cooling GridOur favorite hand mixer: KitchenAid 7-Speed Hand Mixer Other products Vaughn recommends: Cookie ring molds: Cookie Cutter SetAn oven thermometer NYT Cooking Cookie Recipes Vaughn mentioned: Cookie Week 2025 Recipes (including Mortadella Cookies)Eggnog SnickerdoodlesMexican Hot Chocolate CookiesGingerbread Latte CookiesChewy Brownie CookiesAdobo Chocolate Chip CookiesGochujang Caramel Cookies Additional reading:The 11 Best Spatulas of 2025The Best Holiday Cookie Baking Gear for 2025The 4 Best Kitchen Scales of 2025The 3 Best Baking Sheets of 2025The 11 Best Spatulas of 2025The 7 Best Butters of 2025 More VaughnVaugn’s new book: Cookies: The Best Recipes for a Perfect, Anytime TreatBake Time Newsletter from NYT CookingNYT Cooking on YouTubeVaughn’s InstagramVaughn's Facebook  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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• Gift Guide 2025: What Our Experts Are Giving This Year

  Wirecutter’s staff tests thousands of products every year, and of that mountain of items a few always stick out as the best of the best. To close out 2025, we asked our experts to share the things they loved most–and what they think would make great holiday gifts.  Whether you’re still finishing up your holiday shopping or you’re just here to soak up some end-of-year delight, this roundup is full of recommendations straight from the people who test stuff for a living.  If you’d like to receive hand-picked gift recommendations right to your inbox, subscribe to Wirecutter’s gifting newsletter, The Gift! Products we reccommend: Annemarie Conte enjoys the Yummi 12” Handcrafted Taper Candles Jackie Reeve used The Company Store Company Cotton Voile Quilt to keep cozy after surgeryJames Austin gave his groomsmen gemstone dice as a personalized gamer giftAmy Kravetz gave her kid the Swatch Flik Flak Watch for a dose of nostalgiaTrey French takes the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System on every hikeBrent Butterworth loves the Sangean WR-15 tabletop radio with a bluetooth receiver for everyday, ad-free audio at his deskJennifer Hunter says the TWP Next Morning Shirt is a splurge-worthy wardrobe upgradeJon Chase added an Amazon Echo Dot to his child’s room for on-demand music and hasn’t looked backRachel Cericola thinks every nature lover deserves the Birdbuddy Pro bird feederCatherine Kast enjoys the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Scraper & Chopper for making everyday kitchen tasks a little easierThom Dunn’s kitchen renovation was postponed by loving the Cosori Original Air Fryer Toaster OvenEllen Lee loves the OMY Hair Chalk for a fun dash of color in anyone’s hairLiam McCabe has found numerous uses for the handy Calculated Industries AirShim Inflatable Pry Bar & Leveling ToolNicola Fumo says Prada lip balm in a metal tube is instantly giveable (and refillable!)Kaitlyn Wells uses the dracula-themed Ototo Gracula Garlic Crusher to help chop garlic without painMel Plaut is sharpening all their knives (utility & kitchen) with the Spyderco Tri-Angle SharpmakerKathleen Squires keeps every holiday roast perfectly cooked with the ThermoPro TP971 TempSpike Plus Additional Reading: This Tiny Airbag Has the Power to Lift an Entire FridgeThese Candles Made Me a Candle Person. Now I Eat My Cheerios by Candlelight.The Best 53 Christmas Gifts for Everyone on Your List I Test Kitchen Tools for a Living. This $12 Staple Is the One Item I’ll Never Give Up.  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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• Mel Robbins' Expert Advice for Surviving the Holidays With Peace and Sanity

  At Wirecutter, we have tons of advice about the practical side of the holiday season: giving gifts, preparing meals, hosting friends and family. But the emotional side of holiday gatherings can be even tougher. So, we invited Mel Robbins, host of The Mel Robbins Podcast, and author of The Let Them Theory, to walk us through her tools for keeping your cool through heated, holiday moments.  With the holidays approaching, we ask Mel to help us navigate the harder parts of the season: tricky family dynamics, lingering childhood patterns, fraught conversations, and the pressure that comes with hosting and showing up for everyone else. Mel walks us through how to stay grounded, protect your energy, and hold firm to your boundaries—even when you’re sitting across the table from the people who test them most.  This episode covers:  Breaking down The Let Them Theory. Mel walks through “let them” as a very literal tool—letting people have their opinions, their judgments, their disappointment, their expectations—and how the “let me” half shifts you back into control of your own reactions.Managing holiday expectations. She talks about how the holidays are about enjoying yourself and showing up as you are, not who you’re going to impress.Why family dynamics are hard to change—and why accepting that lowers your stress. She explains that people change when they are ready, and that wishing someone were different can entrench them further.What to do when someone crosses a line or won’t back down. Mel says that the best way to exit an escalating conflict is to become the most boring person in the world, or “gray rock”. Don’t fuel the fire, don’t become part of the scene that’s being caused.The difference between acceptance and enabling harmful behavior. Mel explains when “let them” no longer applies—specifically when someone’s views deny your identity or safety—and how boundaries shift accordingly. Mel Loves:Her custom belt buckle with a photo of her children. You can see it in this photo of her for Time Magazine. She recommends finding a seller you like on etsy! Additional reading:The 3 Best Meditation Apps of 2025 5 Cheap(ish) Things to Improve Your Self-Care Routine The Best Personalized Photo GiftsSamin Nosrat’s Tips for Hosting a Stress-Free Dinner Party More Mel: InstagramTikTokYouTubeWebsitePodcastThe Let Them Theory  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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• Secrets to Better Pie Making

  Baking a show-stopping pie for Thanksgiving can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton, who has baked hundreds of pies and spent years testing kitchen gear, joins us to share her hard-won wisdom—from the best pie plates and rolling pins to foolproof tips for flaky crusts. Lesley explains how to overcome baking anxiety, what tools are worth investing in, and her favorite nontraditional pies to bring to Thanksgiving. She also troubleshoots common baking issues (like burnt edges and tough dough), and reveals her go-to pate pâte brisée crust recipe that never fails. This episode covers: How to become a more confident pie baker: Lesley breaks down the basics into manageable steps—practice a few test doughs, learn one reliable crust method, and accept that small imperfections (a cracked edge or a slightly uneven flute) won’t ruin the flavor.Why a tapered rolling pin naturally rolls the dough into a circle:  A tapered pin helps roll a perfect round of dough better than a traditional rolling in with handles. Lesley says it’s easier to start in the center and roll outward, which gives you a uniform thickness and a near-perfect circle with far less fuss.Always bake pies on a baking sheet: Put your pie plate on a rimmed sheet before it goes in the oven. That catches spills, makes handling safer, and prevents thermal shock for glass dishes. If you can, use a preheated baking stone under the sheet—the stone stores and radiates heat for a browner, crisper bottom crust.Which pie plates to choose for each job: Glass (like Pyrex) is ideal for custards because it’s shallow; a deeper glass  or stoneware dish works for deep-dish fruit pies; vintage metal tins conduct heat best, better crisping the crust, and reducing the chance of a soggy bottom (an undercooked crust). Lesley explains trade-offs—durability vs. browning vs. convenience—so you can pick the right plate for the pie you want.Essential tools for mixing the dough: Most bakers will appreciate using a Cuisinart to easily mix dough. However, Lesley prefers “analog” tools, including an old-fashioned pastry blender and dough whisk, because they’re easier to clean and give her more control over the texture of the dough.How to avoid (and fix) a soggy bottom: Options include par-baking when the filling bakes faster than the crust, dusting the shell with a mix of flour and sugar to absorb moisture, or brushing egg white on the shell to create a moisture barrier. She also stresses correct bake time—underbaking is often the real culprit. Products we recommend:Our favorite rolling pin: Whetstone Woodenware French Rolling PinOur favorite pie plate: OXO Good Grips Glass 9″ Pie Plate With LidOur favorite shallow pie plate: Pyrex 9-Inch Pie PlateOur favorite pretty deep-dish pie plate: Emile Henry 9-Inch Pie DishOur favorite baking stone: FibraMent Home Oven Baking StoneOur favorite food processor: Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food ProcessorOur favorite pastry blender: Crate and Barrel Pastry Blender with Beechwood HandleOur favorite dough mixer: King Arthur Baking Company Dough WhiskOur favorite butter: Kerrygold Salted ButterThe best gluten-free substitute for all-purpose flour: Cup4Cup Lesley’s favorite pie-baking book: The Pie and Pastry Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum Additional reading:Our Favorite Pie Baking ToolsThe Best Rolling PinThe Best Pie Plate of 2025For 4 Best Food Processors of 2025The 7 Best Butters of 2025 Additional Listening:How to Ace ThanksgivingLet's Go to Butter School  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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• Shop Secondhand Like a Pro

  Buying used can be a great way to save money and find  unique items—but it takes a sharp eye to find the real gems. And you need to be savvy to get a good price, as some vintage furniture and clothing can cost more than new items (and you can’t return them!). In this episode, we talk with Wirecutter senior staff writer Ivy Elrod, who has spent years navigating secondhand marketplaces. Ivy walks us through her best strategies for finding high-quality used furniture, clothing, and other items–from scouring Facebook Marketplace to mastering the art of negotiation.  Plus, she gives us her best tips for envisioning your space before you start buying, and what to look for in photos to give you clues as to the quality of the items you’re looking for.  This episode covers: Use visual tools to plan your space: Ivy recommends creating mood boards by creating a collage in Canva or Keynote, or even using the photo cut-out feature on your iPhone, to clip images of furniture you’re interested in and pasting them in pictures of your space to get a sense of how the pieces will look together. Where to shop for the best deals (and how to stay safe): For in-person finds, Ivy recommends local options like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and estate sales. She also recommends always bringing a buddy to come with you.How to evaluate quality before you buy: Ivy says that simple photos showing wear and tear are a sign the seller is being honest. Buyers who are upfront about any damage, and who include reference photos to show the extent, are probably more trustworthy to engage with. Negotiate politely on price: “Haggling” is out, “negotiating” is in. Keep your ideal price in mind, be kind and ask for what you want, and be willing to walk away.  Try language like “Would you consider X?” or “My budget is X, can we make that work?”Don’t be shy in inspecting the items in person: Ivy recommends asking questions and engaging with the item when you see it IRL. Flip up cushions, view it from every angle, check for signs of bedbugs and critters—make sure you’ve seen everything you need to see before you bring it home.Being late can actually get you a deal: At the end of estate sales, Ivy has found that sometimes sellers are more eager to give you a discount to avoid having to transport things back and forth.Be ready to act fast: When buying used, timing is arguably the most important factor. People more often than not just want things out of their space. If you’re able to be there immediately, chances are that they’ll want to sell to you.  Additional Reading: How Our Decor Experts Find Worth-It Furniture on a Budget9 Things You Probably Shouldn’t Buy SecondhandHow Our Entertaining Experts Set a Full Table for $250I Vowed to Buy (Almost) Nothing New for My Baby. Here’s How I Did It.The Perks and Perils of Buying Vintage Audio Gear  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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