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    TaraTeaspoon » Cooking Method » Cooking Basics and Tutorials

    Beautiful Pie Crusts Are Easier Than You Think

    Published: Nov 22, 2016 · Updated: Oct 6, 2022 by Tara Teaspoon · This page may contain affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure

    Pinterest image for Beautiful Pie Crusts with text

    Beautiful pie crusts are easier to make than you think. With a little inspiration, you can get creative, and impress the socks off a crowd!

    Crimping and pinching are almost retired if you look around the internet these days. Not only are pie crust edges getting an update, but the tops could be considered works of art!

    No more is an apple pie just topped with a simple crust. You can adorn your pie with more than a simple covering using some of the inspiration here! Below are some of my crust ideas from a simpler time!

    Pie Crust variety

    It's no wonder bakers have made pie their canvas. The crust of the pie is what you see first! It's what entices you to eat that lovely pastry, and if it looks good, you have more desire to dig in.

    • Make my perfect pie crust recipe. It's easy.

    We all love a buttery, flaky pastry. We love it especially when baked around a delicious fruity filling, or piled high with creamy custard. It's not just taste that's making mouths water these days. Take a look at these creative crusts from bakers and food artists.

    Judy Kim is probably the queen of creative pie crusts. Just look at this gem. Find more aspirational pastries on her site, The Judy Lab.

    The Judy Lab's Judy Kim creates beautiful pie crusts

    Time for turkey...I mean pie! An adorable flaky turkey sits on top of pumpkin pie from Kudos Kitchen by Renee.

    Renee from Kudos Kitchen blog created this darling turkey crust

     

    Becky Sue from Baking The Goods blog made a gorgeous apple pie top using a million (well not quite a million) little leaf cutouts. The result is quite impressive!

    Baking The Goods blogger Becky Sue created this stunning leaf pie.

    Kaley from The Kitchen McCabe creates the most exquisite crusts. Her creativity knows no bounds. That's why I had to include two of her famous ideas. Her pastry roses and unreal take on a lattice!

    The Kitchen McCabe blog brings pastry roses to a whole new level!
    The Kitchen McCabe has an unreal take on lattice

    Julie from Cooking and Baking Mostly (a fabulous Instagram feed) has her own style of crust art. This one takes cookie cutters to a magic place.

    Julie from Cooking and Baking Mostly

    This is no crimped edge, from EAB Designs. Seasonal cutouts frame what is sure to be a standout pie. Beautiful pie crusts can simply be created by a stunning edge.

    EAB Designs makes a beautiful pie edge

    I mean, WHO (wink wink) is the genius behind this darling pie top? Sweet Explorations by Francois is that very person. Check out her post to see exactly how to create this pastry owl.

    Sweet Explorations created this darling owl crust

    Jo Harrington does not stop...making amazing pies! I just can't get over these minis and their cuteness. Follow her for pure genius on her Instagram JoJoRomancer.

    Jo Harrington makes beautiful pies

    Samantha Chiu of the Instagram Eleventy, couldn't decide which fancy and wonderful technique to use on the pie she created for King Arthur Flour! Braids, lattice, cutouts - they all made it.

    All the designs come together with Samantha Chiu's pie

    Don't be intimidated by beautiful pie crusts. Use my favorite pie crust recipe. Weave a lattice, make a braided edge or start with some cute cookie cutters, and have fun!

    Make Tara's Delicious Pies

    • Peppermint pie piled high with whipped cream.
      Peppermint Pie (Candy Cane Pie)
    • Graham cracker pie crust in a silver pie pan.
      Best Graham Cracker Pie Crust
    • Overhead view of a Key lime pie.
      Authentic Key Lime Pie Recipe
    • Four discs of plastic wrapped pie crust.
      Perfect Pie Crust
    Tara serving dinner DG Cookbook

    Tara Teaspoon

    I'm Tara, a recipe developer and food stylist with nearly 30 years in food publishing, including the test kitchens of Martha Stewart and Ladies' Home Journal. My recipes and styling have appeared in magazines, cookbooks, television and advertising, and I'm the author of two cookbooks, Delicious Gatherings and Live Life Deliciously. Every recipe here is tested and reliable. Have a question? Leave a comment and I'll answer it, or get new recipes by email.

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      Recipe Rating





    1. Mary Bench says

      May 23, 2019 at 12:59 pm

      Goodness! Gorgeous!

      Reply
    2. Brittany Smart says

      July 19, 2018 at 2:46 pm

      Wow! these are INCREDIBLE

      Reply
    3. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says

      November 10, 2017 at 1:29 pm

      Thank you so much for including my Turkey Crust Pumpkin Pie. I'm in some incredible company here. These designs are all so fantastic!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        November 11, 2017 at 5:30 pm

        Of course! It is just so inspirational. I love it!! Beautiful work.

        Reply
    4. leah says

      November 23, 2016 at 4:44 pm

      We made the recipe with a leaf cutout crust this morning, gorgeous!

      Reply
    5. Tiffany Amber says

      November 22, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks for these tips!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        November 22, 2016 at 2:47 pm

        For sure! Thanks for visiting!

        Reply
    Tara headshot eating sweet roll

    Hi, I'm Tara!

    I spent years in professional test kitchens and love sharing the small techniques that make a big difference. As a recipe developer, food stylist and cookbook author, I make sure every recipe here is tested and reliable, with the why behind each step.

    From quick weeknight dinners and make-ahead dishes for a crowd to baking worth sharing, these recipes are made for real life and for gathering around the table. It's all about helping you Live Life Deliciously.

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