What is better for pie crust butter or shortening?

The pros: Shortening has a higher melting point than lard or butter, so it’s easy to incorporate into pie dough and roll out. It’s also helpful when making any kind of decorative pie crust, because doughs made with shortening hold their shape the best during baking.

How do you make a store-bought pie crust better?

Feel free to add a bit of spice according to what kind of pie you’re making to bump up the flavor even more. Brushing a bit of melted butter on the rolled crusts can give a nice richness if that’s what you’re after. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the cookies and the sugar and cinnamon, if using.

Why does my pie crust stick to the pan?

There are a few different reasons why your pie crust might be sticking to your pan. Another cause of this happening is when there is a crack in the pie crust and the filling leaks out, baking between the crust and the pan.

How do I keep my bottom puff pastry from getting soggy?

5 Ways To Avoid A Soggy Bottom

  1. Bake blind. No this doesn’t mean close your eyes and hope for the best when you put the pastry in the oven… it means to pre-bake the pastry shell before you add the filling.
  2. Brush with egg.
  3. Hot baking tray.
  4. Temperature is key.
  5. Use heavy tins.

How do you blind bake a store bought pie crust?

If you are pre-baking a store-bought frozen packaged crust, I recommend following the directions on the package for how to pre-bake that particular crust. Most instructions will have you defrost the crust, prick the bottom of the crust all over with the tines of a fork, and bake at 375°F to 450°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Should I blind bake Pillsbury pie crust?

Without blind baking, the custard or fruit filling might cook, but the bottom crust will stay wet and never quite cook through. Once the crust is fully blind baked through, allow it to cool completely, then add your filling. This cream pie is an example of recipe that calls for a fully-baked pie crust.

Why did my store bought pie crust shrink?

Probably the main reason that pie crusts shrink is because the dough is not given adequate time to “rest”. This resting time allows the gluten to literally relax at critical points in the pie dough process, and will play a big role in preventing shrinking once it is baked.

What is the best tasting store-bought pie crust?

The Other Pie Crusts We Tasted

  • Pillsbury Pet-Ritz Deep-Dish Pie Crusts.
  • Whole Foods Market Homestyle Pie Shells.
  • Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts.
  • Wholly Wholesome Organic 9″ Pie Shells.
  • Mrs.
  • Wholly Wholesome Organic Bake-at-Home Pie Dough.
  • Immaculate Ready-to-Bake Pie Crusts.

Why does my pie crust not cook on the bottom?

Blind-baking — baking the pie crust before adding the filling — is your answer. Bake your crust, add the filling, and bake until the filling is done. I promise you, the crust won’t burn on the bottom; the filling will insulate it.

What is the best store-bought pie dough?

Here are the best store-bought pie crusts.

  • Best Roll-Out: Immaculate Baking Co.
  • Best Shortbread: Keebler Shortbread Ready Crust.
  • Best Frozen Deep-Dish: Great Value Deep Dish 9-Inch Pie Crusts.
  • Best Puff Pastry Shells: Pepperidge Farm Frozen Shells Pastry Dough.
  • Best Gluten-Free Kosher: Gefen Gluten-Free Pie Crust.

Why is the bottom of my pastry soggy?

The main ingredients in pastry are flour and fat. The gluten in the flour gives pastry its texture, while fat offers flavour. If the fat melts before a strong gluten structure has formed, the pastry will end up soggy.

Should you grease pie dish?

Do not oil or grease glass pie plates. Thin, aluminum pie pans are a poor choice because they cook unevenly. If you have to use them, double them up and use two. Dull metal pie plates are better than shiny metal pans for making pies.

How do you keep puff pastry from sticking to pie dish?

Q: How do I keep puff pastry from sticking to my baking pan? A: Line the pan with parchment paper or use a silicone baking sheet. This will also prevent sticky fillings from baking onto your pan.

How do I stop my pie from getting soggy on the bottom?

Let any fillings cool completely before adding them to the pastry case. To prevent a wet filling from making the pastry base soggy, preheat a baking tray and cook the pie on that – the extra heat will set the pastry faster.

Who makes the best frozen apple pie?

  • We tested three brands of frozen apple pie.
  • The brands we sampled were Mrs. Smith’s, Sara Lee, and Marie Callender’s.
  • Marie Callender’s was our favorite because its apples tasted the most authentic, and its crumb topping was deliciously sweet.

Why is chicken pot pie bad for you?

Chicken pot pies are hearty, creamy, and rich, with filling foods. Regrettably, they are also loaded with calories and sodium. FitDay writes that a Banquet frozen chicken pot pie contains 370 calories and 850 milligrams of sodium, which is almost half an average adult’s sodium intake for the day.

Do you butter pie pan before putting crust?

For a tender flaky pie crust, do not oil or grease pie pans. Greasing the pan will change the texture of the crust. If you want to remove the pie from the pie for serving, lightly grease the pie pan with Pan Release or lightly spray with cooking spray before lining it with the pastry.

What is the difference between chicken pie and chicken pot pie?

In the South, some folks make a distinction between chicken pie and chicken pot pie. Chicken pies, also known as “chicken and pastry,” are the savory versions of fruit pies or cobblers, made with homemade crust and no, or very few, vegetables. Chicken pot pies typically include vegetables and have a top crust only.

What can I use instead of pie weights?

Alternatives to Pie Weights

  • 1 – Dried Beans, Rice, Popcorn. You may already have heard of “baking beans,” which are simply dried beans used as makeshift pie weights.
  • 2 – Steel Balls or Other Metal Objects.
  • 3 – Metal Chain.
  • 4 – Sugar.
  • 5 – Another Pie Form.

What happens if you put too much butter in a pie crust?

When put into the oven, the small chunks of butter inside the dough will create little steam pockets, and where the solid butter once was becomes an air pocket, thus creating a tender flaky crust. If the butter chunks are too big, you’ll have melted butter leaking from your pie crust as it bakes.

How do you keep pastry from sticking to tin?

You can get, in pump bottle or aerosol, a liquid that contains vegetable oil and typically an emulsifier like lecithin that forms a layer between the mixture and the tin and helps stop the cake from sticking.

Why does my pastry have a soggy bottom?

Richard’s solution: Soggy bottoms can be a right nuisance, even though they don’t really alter the taste of your bake. They are usually the result of either a filling that’s too wet in your bake or an under-cooked or thin pastry base.

Which is better glass or metal pie pan?

Although metal pans conduct heat better, glass more than makes up for that because it is clear, so radiant energy can pass through the pan and help the crust bake. That means that although glass takes slightly longer to reach the same temperature as the oven, it cooks crusts faster and darker.

Do I need to grease tin for pastry?

When making a pie or tart there is no need to grease the tin before you line it with pastry – the high butter content in the pastry will naturally stop it from sticking to the tin.

Is it worth it to make your own pie crust?

“I will always side with tackling homemade pie dough,” says Ann Kirk, head pastry chef at Little Dom’s in Los Angeles. “The flavor and flaky texture is absolutely worth the effort!” Though she says if you’re truly pressed for time, grab one out of the freezer section of your local grocery.