Foil Rings for Pies

The borders of pies and tarts are unprotected by the filling and tend to bake faster than the rest of the crust. It is, therefore, advisable to protect them right from the beginning of baking with an aluminum foil ring. Rings are available for purchase, but are not necessarily the right size for all pie plates. To make your own foil ring, tear off a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil a few inches larger than the diameter of the pie plate or tart pan. As a guide, use a pot lid or cardboard circle and a pencil to mark a cutout in the center that will expose the pie’s surface but not the decorative edge. With scissors, cut out the circle. Leaving at least a 3 inch border, cut around the outside to form a ring. Shape it so that it will curve over the rim of the pie crust. This ring can be rinsed and reused several times. It is best to set it over the pie at the start of baking to prevent overbrowning.