These are independent reviews of the products mentioned, but TIME receives a commission when purchases are made through affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser.
As any pastry chef will tell you, sugar cracks quickly when hardened and needs intimidatingly high temperatures to melt. Which means that detailed sugar work on cakes and cookies often leads to frustration and burns. The ChefDoodler pen makes it simple, safe, and fun—like a hot glue gun for sugar decorating. Though it will also work with real sugar, the device comes with a flavor-neutral, diabetic-friendly sugar substitute, isomalt, that can be extruded in thin, moldable lines. One beta tester called it “a gingerbread house maker’s dream come true,” says Daniel Cowen, co-founder and CEO of maker 3Doodler. The gadgets are shipping to more than 1,500 Kickstarter contributors and early adopters in October.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Breaking Down the 2024 Election Calendar
- How Ukraine Beat Russia in the Battle of the Black Sea
- The Reintroduction of Kamala Harris
- Long COVID Looks Different in Kids
- What a $129 Frying Pan Says About America’s Eating Habits
- The 1 Heart-Health Habit You Should Start When You’re Young
- Cuddling Might Help You Get Better Sleep
- The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now