Pie Birds Aren't Only Adorable, But They'll Prevent Your Pies From Getting Soggy

Professional bakers explain how these cheery little ceramic birds aren't just decorative.

Spend even a few minutes browsing through a cooking supplies store or site, and you’ll find all sorts of gadgets that promise to improve your pie-baking game. From crust shields to pastry mats to blind-baking weights, there are plenty of accessories that promise to bring you through your bake with flying colors.

While you may find limited success with some of these products’ big-talking claims, there is another accessory that really might make a difference: a humble little ceramic bird that sits in the center of your pie, preventing spillovers and keeping crusts crispier by allowing steam to escape through their beaks.