It’s time for another pie pep talk! Like I mentioned before, the hardest part about working with homemade pie dough is actually mustering up the courage to work with homemade pie dough. It’s easy to resist something if it intimidates you, but something (anything!) has to start somewhere, right? Such is the case with nearly any goal or dream we have. You’llpractice, it will feel daunting, you’ll practice some more, you’ll improve, you’ll succeed. YOU CAN DO THIS! We used these cutters to make an organic-looking top pie crust of layered leaves on top of a 6-inch small pie, as well as decorative elements on top of several larger pie crusts, and we were incredibly impressed with how well they work. The cutters cleanly punch even delicate branches holding the leaves together without tearing. We've used these cutters often since our initial tests, using them on both store-bought and homemade pie dough, and across several different types of pies for decoration. We continue to be impressed with the decorations they make, and how surprisingly well they've held up over time. Planning an under-the-sea theme? You’ll find fish shapes and even seahorses. Got a more general animal theme? You’ll see cutters in the shape of bees, owls, elephants and everything in between. We’ve even got a crown cookie cutter if you’re opting for a royal theme and want your cookie to match up!

We liked that the cutter was especially easy to use, on par with a cookie cutter. The crust cutter is constructed in the shape of a flower, but the fluted outer edge is just a decorative way to hold the petal shapes of the cutter together and doesn't actually cut through the dough. The cutouts can be used to decorate the top of the crust in addition to the decorative vents the cutter makes. This sunflower cutter is easy enough to use for little hands, making your next pie-making session a little more fun for everyone. For many years, I used only salt and nutmeg to season the dough, so one day, I decided to add a little quantity of sugar to see if there would be any difference. Lo and behold, it tasted much better! Egg The fondant cutter is what you see me use in the video below, but the wavy side of a pastry wheel can do the same thing. A pastry wheel is very handy because you can use the scalloped edge to make a pretty wavy design, or you can use the flat edge for a traditional lattice pie crust. We need both a wavy cutter (for the lattice) and a flat cutter (for the braid strips) for this particular pie design. I also used a pie punch to add apple shapes, but you can use any cookie cutter or pie punch shape. A pie maker with a crimped edge is also a great option. This gives your pies a traditional look, and it helps you get that wonderful crispy crust! Other good features to look out for are non-slip feet and a cool touch handle.This cutter provides a little versatility when it comes to cutting pie crusts and pasta, with both a straight-cutting wheel as well as a fluted cutting wheel for a slightly more decorative cut. It's suitable for slicing through pie dough, pasta, or any other relatively thin or lightweight pastry dough like puff pastry or Danish dough. It is a little heavier than other cutters, so it may not be ideal for those with limited hand strength. But the curved wooden handle is easy to hold onto and the weight is what helps push the cutter through the dough. It can be washed in the dishwasher if it's especially messy after use, but should be washed by hand and scrubbed with a brush and warm, soapy water to extend the life of the wood handle. Get a creative flair with your pie crusts by using this nifty tool. From beautifully crimped edges to fancy themed shapes, among other designs and uses, pastry chefs and home bakers enjoy adding a special finishing touch to their delicious pies and pastries.

Essentially, you're getting two reliable pastry cutters for the price of one with this tool, and we think it's a great deal. Since our initial tests, this cutter has come in handy on a few occasions when testing out different pie crust styles. We like that it hasn't gone down in quality with use, noting that the wheels are about the same level of tightness as they were right out of the box, and the materials have stayed sturdy and shiny over time with regular hand-washing. If you don't have a pie crust cutter that crimps the edges for you, grab a fork and press the fork prongs down onto the rim of the pie dish. Do this all the way around the rim. You can also use your fingers to seal and make a design on the edge of the pie crust.

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Less powerful pie makers will take longer to preheat, and your pies may take a little longer to cook. Pie Maker FAQ How to use a pie maker?

The Spring Chef Dough Blender earned the top spot on this list thanks to its solid performance, ease of use, and comfortable handle. To perfectly blend together pasta doughs, we recommend the Gorilla Grip Pastry Dough Blender and Butter Cutter. The blades or wires of most pastry blenders are made of stainless steel, which prevents rusting, and we recommend steering clear of other materials. The handles are made of wood(s), plastic(s), and rubber—it comes down to your preference. Plastic and rubber will most likely be dishwasher safe if ease of cleaning is important to you. Wooden handles tend to make the pastry blender look more authentic with an heirloom-like feel (making them a nice gift) and have the potential of lasting much longer.

As you can see, this is a great tool to have in the kitchen whether you’re a beginner home cook or a pro. It can replace some of the work done by food processors or electric mixers, which is helpful if the power ever goes out or if more than one person is cooking at the same time. If you have any experience molding fondant decorations into silicone molds, you've already got a good idea of how easy it is to produce impressive 3-dimensional shapes this way. Williams Sonoma has created a silicone mold specifically for molding pie crust strips, outfitted with five designs that would otherwise be difficult and time-consuming to create by hand. I love making pie. You know this. But I didn’t just wake up one day and know how to make one. My first attempts at homemade pie weren’t exactly cookbook cover-worthy. You want to know the hardest part of making a homemade pie? The hardest part is finding the courage to start. And once you do, you’ll wonder why you didn’t begin sooner.Nothing is more satisfying than making a pie completely from scratch. Until, of course, you eat a slice.