Imagine an endless array of meticulously baked pies covered in melted chocolate, filled with fluffy peanut butter mousse, and adorned with soft-baked chocolate chip cookies. This is an everyday scene at Chicago’s woman-run vegan bakery, Pie, Pie My Darling.
In between busy days spent filling special orders for weddings and birthdays, Windy City native Heather Bodine-Lederman squeezed in some time to share her expert tips on how even novices can transform a few simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing sweet treat.
Miyoko’s Creamery
1
Keep it cool
When it comes to crusts, the flakier, the better. And the key? Cold fats. Keep your vegan butter, shortening, and even your rolling pin ice-cold by popping in the freezer for 30 minutes for craveable crusts.
2 No need to knead
The more you work your dough, the more gluten you will create, resulting in a tough and chewy crust. So go easy!
3 Make sure to freeze
Once your pie crust is rolled out and crimped, put it in the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes. This will help it hold its shape while keeping your beautiful crimps from shrinking in the piping-hot oven.
Pie, Pie My Darling
4 Prep is key
If you always end up with pies that are too runny, pre-cook your filling on a stovetop. Boil the filling with a 50/50 mix of cornstarch and flour until it’s thick and bubbly, then turn off the heat and let cool completely before pouring into your crust and baking.
5 The more, the merrier
As your pie bakes in the oven, the fruit will shrink significantly. It’s always wise to overfill!
6 Need to vent
Be sure to cut some slits on the top of your pie to allow air to escape while it bakes. This prevents the crust from collapsing or exploding.
Pie, Pie My Darling
7 Filter your pie
When par-baking a crust for a custard or pudding-filled pie, place a coffee filter in your pie crust and fill with dried beans. They’ll serve as weights to keep the crust from slouching and losing its shape as it bakes.
8 Pour some sugar
Want to ensure a perfectly browned crust before it even goes into the oven? Slather your crust with some melted vegan butter and sprinkle with sugar.
9 Chill out
While it’s tempting to dig into your pie as soon as it comes out of the oven, wait! Allowing the pie to cool and thicken for a couple of hours before serving is the key to beautiful, picture-perfect
pie slices.
Pie, Pie My Darling
10 Count on it
Unless you’re making a custard or pudding pie, do not refrigerate. Keeping your pie on your counter at room temperature will allow the crust to remain crisp and fresh.
For all our pie recipes, click here! Happy baking!
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