15 Pie Crust Designs for a Showstopping Dessert
Get ready for your prettiest pie yet!
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Unless you work in the bakery at Ree Drummond's The Mercantile, you may have never thought much about pie crust designs. The truth is, however, a good one can completely transform the look of a pie! Just a little bit of cutting, crimping, or weaving can turn your Thanksgiving pie into a dessert that looks seriously impressive. From a classic crimped edge and lattice designs to braided borders and cute cookie cutter cut-outs, this roundup will provide plenty of inspiration for baking season.
To try all of these pretty designs, though, you're going to need a good pie crust recipe. Ree's Perfect Pie Crust is made with Crisco and bakes up amazingly flaky. Of course, if you're a big fan of butter (and who isn't?) you may rather use a tender, rich all-butter pie crust. Either will work beautifully for these pie crust designs, so take your pick! You may be wondering, what about that incredibly convenient store-bought pie dough? It definitely doesn't compare to homemade crust, but you can still achieve many of these ideas with it, whether it's Ree's pecan pie (the one she says "that'll make you cry!") or one of your favorite fruit pies. So what are you waiting for? Choose your favorite technique and get baking! These creative designs will take your favorite pie recipes from good to great.
Classic Lattice Pie Crust
Making a lattice crust is a classic way to elevate any double crust pie. It's easy too! Just cut your top crust into strips and weave them together, over and under one another. Play with wider and skinnier strips of dough to create different designs.
Get the Strawberry Rhubarb Pie recipe.
Cut-Out Pie Crust
For a playful twist on pie, cut shapes out of your top crust! Choose a small circular cut-out like in this slap pie recipe, or choose a different shape. Think stars for 4th of July of hearts for Valentines Day!
Get the Double Cherry-Almond Slab Pie recipe.
Classic Crimp Pie Crust
This traditional technique may look impressive, but it's easy to achieve using only your index fingers and thumb to form the fluted edge. Give it shot to give all your classic holiday pies that bakery look!
Get the Pumpkin Pie recipe.
Foldover Pie Crust
Possibly the easiest option of all, you can still achieve a pretty pie by simply folding the excess pie crust over the edge of the filling. No matter if you're making a galette, like this peach delight, or a regular ol' pie, this folder method achieves a beautifully rustic look.
Get the Peach Galette recipe.
Fork Crimp Pie Crust
Pull out a fork for this easy crimp idea! Just press the tines of a fork into the crust, all around a pie, to give you pie a pretty, classic look. This work for pies with a top crust, and those with just a bottom crust.
Get the Homemade Apple Pie recipe.
Braided Edge Pie Crust
Fitting a braided crust along the edge of your pie adds a beautiful touch. It's also an easy way to hide any imperfections! Whether you stop there or strings thin braids and strips of dough across the center of the piece, this design is guaranteed to be a showstopper.
Triple Strand Lattice Pie Crust
Classic lattice is beautiful, but this triple strand pie is oh-so pretty. It doesn't take much more work either! Simply cut the top crust into lots of even strips then carefully weave them into a lattice pattern.
Patriotic Pie Crust
Turn your fruit pie into a patriotic masterpiece with your crust! Just cut out some stars and stripes and lay them across the top in a flag design. It's as easy as that!
Spoon Crimp Pie Crust
See the border of this pretty pie? That was achieved by a little handy work with a spoon! Simple press the edge of an up-side down spoon into the crust to create small circular shapes. Do three in a row to master this look!
Mummy Pie Crust
For a spooky Halloween pie, drape strips of dough across the pie filling for a mummy look! Bonus points if you add candy eyes, too. This works perfectly with hand pies, but the same concept would work for a classic pie or slab pie, too.
Scattered Cut-Outs Pie Crust
Have extra pie crust? Cut out fun or seasonal shapes and scatter them across the pie. They'll turn golden brown as the pie bakes and add a decorative touch to dessert!
Spoke Pie Crust
For a unique spin on pie crust, try this spoke design! It involves cutting the top pie crust into thin strips and using a round cookie cutter to help shape the intricate design.
Open Cut-Out Pie Crust
Line the edge of your pie with a festive shape to give it a little something special. Cut out any shape you want: circles, leaves for fall, even trees for Christmas! Don't be afraid to get creative.
Braided Lattice Pie Crust
Take a classic lattice crust pie to the next level by braiding strips of dough before weaving them in. It may take a little more time, but it's plenty easy and looks so darn pretty!
Get the Braided Lattice Apple Pie recipe at Celebrate Creativity.
Covered Cut-Out Pie Crust
Make the cut-outs the star of the whole pie if you please! Trying using a few different shapes or sizes to create variety and don't be afraid to pile them all together to cover the entire surface.
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