Decorative Pie Edges

Appears in
The Cook's Companion: A step-by-step guide to cooking skills including original recipes

By Josceline Dimbleby

Published 1991

  • About
A simple fluted or crimped edge, fancy border or decorated pie top adds interest to plain tart fillings or a large top crust of pastry.
After making your pie, reroll the trimmings and use a biscuit cutter or knife to cut out enough leaves, hearts, or other shapes such as animals or people to decorate the pie, if you like. You can even cut out letters to spell names for special occasions.
To help the decorations stick, brush them with water before applying to the pie. Alternatively, glaze the surface of the pie with a beaten egg and add the cut-outs, then glaze again before putting it into the oven to bake.