How To Put Dough In A Pie Pan [A Complete Guide]

Pie is a dish that is impossible not to love! There is a pie for every person on the planet. But even though this incredible dessert, and sometimes savory dish, consists of a few ingredients, assembling the pie dough in the pan can make you go crazy. If you wonder how to put the dough in a pie pan without trouble, let us look at what we've found to be the best methods.

Follow these simple steps to put your pie dough in a pie pan. First, grease the pan to prevent the dough from sticking to the pie pan.

  1. Roll the pie crust according to the size of the pie pan you are using.
  2. Transfer the pie dough into the pan and gently level the dough using your fingers.
  3. Fill in the pie filling.
  4. Put another layer of pie dough and top.
  5. Crimp the pie crust.
  6. Bake!

The process of putting pie dough on the pan is simple in writing. Performing the task is a different matter. There is still more you might want to know to create the perfect pie! If you would like to find out more, keep reading ahead.

A woman making a delicious pie in her kitchen, How To Put Dough In A Pie Pan [A Complete Guide]

Do You Grease a Pie Pan Before You Put the Dough In?

Yes, it is better to grease the pie pan before putting it in the dough. Greasing the pan can prevent your pie from sticking to the pan. You can grease the pie pan by applying a thin layer of butter or oil. Using pan spray is also a viable option.

However, if you prefer a flaky crust, there is no need to grease the pie pan. Because greasing the pan changes the consistency of the pie crust.

What Size Should Your Dough Be Before Putting It in the Pie Pan?

Rolling a pastry dough in a light blue background

Pie dough should always be larger than the pie pan. But, what size should your dough be before transferring it into a pie pan? It mainly depends on the size of the pan. However, by the rule, you should roll the pie dough at least 1 to 3 inches bigger than the size of your pie pan.

For example, if you have a 12-inch pie pan, roll your pie dough 15 inches in diameter.

How Thick Should the Dough Be Before Putting It in the Pan?

Rolling the pie dough to the perfect thickness allows it to cook properly. So, how thick should the pie dough be before putting it in the pan? Some suggest â…›-inch thick pie doughs. To make it easier for you to measure the thickness of the pie dough, stack two quarters near the pie dough. The height of two quarters is roughly equivalent to â…›-inches.

How Do I Make a Pie Crust Into a Pie Plate?

If you wonder how to make a pie crust into a pie plate, the process is straightforward. Follow this simple guide to make a pie crust into a pie plate.

  1. First, roll the pie crust. Make sure it is big enough to cover the pie pan’s bottom and the sides.
  2. You can either drape the pie crust on your forearm or on your rolling pin.
  3. Place your arm or rolling pin on top of the pie pan and undrape the pie crust.
  4. Level the pie crust in the pie pan gently.
  5. Cut off the excess pie crust hanging from the side of the pie pan.

If you are a visual learner, check out this YouTube video for additional help:

How To Put the Pie Crust on Top

First, dust your work surface and the rolling pin with a bit of flour. Then start to roll the pastry. It is much easier to roll the pastry if you take it out of the fridge 20 minutes beforehand. Keep turning the pie crust to get an even look. When the pie crust is â…› inches thick, stop rolling.

Keep in mind that the pie crust should be wider in size than the size of the pan. For example, if you use a 12-inch pie pan, roll the pie crust 15 to 16 inches in diameter.

Now, drape the pie crust on a rolling pin and place it on top of the pie pan. Center it to cover every corner. Crimp the edges to finish the job!

How to Crimp a Pie Crust

A woman shaping the crust of her raspberry

Once you have rolled the dough and put it in the pie pan, it is time to crimp the pie crust for a finished look. The following are the five best and easy ways to crimp a pie crust.

Standard Finger Crimp

Use the index finger of one hand and the thumb and index finger of the other hand to press the pie crust edges. Make even indentations along the entire outer area of the pie crust.

The Pinch Crimp

The second pie crimp method requires the same process and looks similar to the first one. However, while making the indentations, pinch the pie crust edge. This method gives a similar but more well-defined crimp look.

The Rope Crimp

Next up is the rope crimp method. The finished crimp might look intricate and difficult to reproduce, but it is simple to do nonetheless.

By using the knuckle of your pointer finger and the inside of your thumb, hold the pie crust. Now gently squeeze it until you create a raised ridge. Move your hand over an inch or two clockwise and repeat. Continue the method until the whole pie crust edge is crimped.

For the next two methods, flatten the lip of the pie crust.

The Scallop Crimp

Get a spoon, turn it upside down. Use the tip of it to press the crust gently to make two small dents. One set slightly back from the other. Moving to the right, repeat the pattern around the entire edge of the crust.

The Standard Fork Crimp

The standard fork method is similar to the scallop method, except instead of a spoon, we will use a fork for this one. Using the prongs, make small dents around the entire edge of the pie crust.

For a more decorative look, place the prongs of the fork parallel. But at a 45-degree angle to the right and a 45-degree angle on the left on the same spot. Repeat it until you have covered the entire pie crust edge. The final crimp looks like a tiny crisscross.

For a visual guide, here's a Youtube video for a real-time demonstration:

How Do I Make My Pie Crust Not Stick to the Pan?

Pastry dough and a rolling pin

One of the best ways to prevent the pie crust from sticking to the pan is by greasing it before baking. But what if the pie crust still clings to the pan after it baking? In this case, submerge the pie pan in water horizontally for 15 to 20 minutes. The warmth of the water will melt down the butter you applied before baking and will make it easier to remove the pie from the pan.

The best time to do this trick is right before serving the pie. If you submerge the pie pan hours earlier and then leave the pie, there are chances that the pie crust will stick to the pan again.

How To Prevent the Gap in a Pie Crust?

Are you tired of your pie crust towering over the shrunken filling after baking? We all have been there. If you want to prevent this error from happening in the future, use the following tips.

  • Use butter instead of shortening. Pies made with shortening do give a crisp crust but also leave a gap behind.
  • Do not use more water than necessary. A wetter pastry is easier to roll. Water activates the gluten and creates a rigid pie crust.
  • Stop rolling your pie pastry for hours on end. The more you roll it, the tougher it will be after baking.
  • Instead of baking your fruit pies with a solid top, slash the top of the pie crust so the steam can exit.

Final Takeaway

A man forming the sides of his pie in the kitchen

Putting the pie dough in the pie pan is one of the most tedious steps in baking a pie. One wrong move can result in a cracked crust. However, with some research and techniques, you can make the perfect pie for your guests! Without further ado, go out and make the adjustments you need!

Before you go, do you have other pie concerns? Do you need alternatives for a pie dish? We have some suggestions! Check out our post here for more information.

Additionally, do you need more information on buttering a pie dish? If so, check out our post here. Until next time!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *