Sunday, December 9, 2012

Thoughts on Pie Embellishment

Santa brought me an early gift this year, this little Le Creuset pie bird! I wanted to take him for a test drive and my boys love finding a pie on the table. I think he sure looks cute! The jury's still out on how functional I think he is... I added the bow after the pie cooled. As you can see my pies are very... rustic, but I still wanted to share some quick tips on how to add a little something extra to holiday pies.

The greatest tools for decorating pies are cookie cutters. You can use standard cutters or any of the new "specialty" dough cutters that have the plunger to add more detail. 
I suggest increasing your crust recipe by half if using cookie cutters. 

I baked the holly leaves on this pie and they got a bit too dark.
Covering with foil helps, or I baked them separately for my Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Pie HERE.

Here's an example of using the cookie cutter to make the pie vent a decorative shape:
A star, gingerbread man or tree shape would work well.

You can cut a word out of your upper crust, something simple like "Joy" or "Peace" would be beautiful:
Dear Santa, please bring us a better team for next season... thank you.

Or maybe instead of a one piece upper crust cut all different sizes and piece them together:
This was a mini pie.

You could take that idea one step further and add some colored sugar for a pop of color:

My best tip? The most important part of baking is to have fun,
and if all else fails remember what I always told my boys,
if the pie's ugly, you know it's homemade:@)

Happy baking this holiday season!

I'm Joining: Homespun Christmas

27 comments:

  1. Super idea, ill be doing this over the holidays with allmy pie.thamks so much,sallyxx

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  2. Oh I love your ideas. I never think to decorate the crust. Love the cookie cutter idea. Gotta give that a try. Hugs, Marty

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  3. They are all pretty to me. I am not brave enough to make pies.

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  4. I love your little birdie pie vent! I collect those. And I really like all your creative ideas to decorate a top crust. I am a pie girl, for sure. ( I'd take a pie over cake anyday.)

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  5. There isn't an ugly pie in the bunch. You can't beat a home made pie for delicious flavor. It must be all the love bake inside.

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  6. You bake the prettiest pies, Lynn, and always come up with a cute decorating idea for every occasion. xo

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  7. I love your pie bird! I'm not a pie maker but you make it look like fun!

    hugs, Linda

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  8. I am lucky if I can get the top crust in place! They would declare a holiday if I managed to decorate it also. :-)

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  9. Your pies are always so beautiful! You make me wish I was a pie baker. :)

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  10. Great pie tips, Lynn! I especially love the "if the pie is ugly" part. No one really cares when they're gobbling down the homemade pie, you're so right!

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  11. Ha! I'll remember to say that :)

    Such great tips. Pie crusts have that reputation for always being difficult. ..just takes practice!

    Your pie looks amazing and I like the cookie cutter patterns.

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  12. Gorgeous pies Lynn! That bird is so darn cute! Now if only it came in a piggy.......:o)

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  13. Those pies look GREAT - you didn't make all those in one day did you. Those were so pretty. And I love the cookie cutters. Sandie

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  14. Lynn~ Your pie bird is adorable! I'm chuckling over your request to Santa and a better team! No one needs a better team worse than the Carolina Panthers :)

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  15. That's a great idea, and I love the pie bird. Sooooo cute!

    XO,

    Sheila

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  16. Hi Lynnie! Oh, what a darling little pie bird. I didn't even know Le Crueset made them! I need one now. I love your pretty pies and all of the differents crusts! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  17. Great tips for dressing up a pie, Lynn. The pie bird may not be that functional, but it sure is cute perched on top of the pie.

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  18. Such great looking pies and I love embellishments. Back in the days, my church would have a big dinner for the ladies. At that dinner they always served Shepherd's Pie, baked by Tina Cole (she was Robbie's wife who had the twins in the show "My Three Sons.") She made the pie in a HUGE (2 to 3 times the normal size) ceramic pie dish with a huge blackbird in it. It was always a sight to see. I need one of those little ceramic steamers. Love the idea of "printing" on the pies. Joni

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  19. I love your little bird. I have always wanted one. I know the kiddies would be in love with that. You have made such fun pies. I need to be more creative with my top pie crusts. It adds such fun!

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  20. Hi Lynn,
    thats an ingenious idea. I have never seen a pie vent. Really cute. The idea to decorate with cookie cutters is great. Thanks for sharing.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  21. Great looking pies. It would be fun to play with the crusts like this. I need to remember....

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  22. The pies are so beautiful, Lynn. Thanks for the ideas!...Christine

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  23. Great pies, you are the pie guru! I'm sure your boys love your baking!

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  24. My mom is the family pie maker around here. I never have made that many of them because it's easier just to eat hers. But now, when you add a little fun to it, it's right up my alley. It becomes crafting as well as baking. I like that!

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  25. I love the pie bird! All of your pies look great! Love the eagles pie. Lol

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