Learn how to make quick and easy pie crust leaves. Use them as adorable decorations for all of your Thanksgiving pies (or just eat them straight)!
Pie crust cut outs are a fun an easy way to decorate your holiday pies. All that it takes is a little bit of leftover pie dough and some cookies cutters.
Ways to use pie crust cut outs:
- Cover up the crack in your pumpkin pie (my personal favorite)
- Make the edges more decorative (i.e. use birthday cutters for birthday pie, leaf cutter for Thanksgiving pie, etc.)
- Put a message on top of your pie (i.e. Happy Thanksgiving)
Step 1: Roll out dough and choose your cutter.
You want to use a very small cookie cutter to make these leaves. If you’re going to be using the leaves around the edge of your pie crust, you want them no larger than 1 inch or they will break and fall off the edge. If you’re using them to decorate the top of the pie, you can use a larger cutter. I use the small leaves from this* cookie cutter set.
Roll out your dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut out twice as many leaves as you think you’ll need, in case some break or fall into your mouth after baking. Place cut outs on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Step 2: Brush cut outs with egg wash.
The protein in an egg wash makes the cut outs shiny and brown upon baking. If you don’t want a dark of a finished product but still want shine, only use egg whites (the protein is what browns and most of the protein in an egg is in the yolk). If you don’t want shine but still want some browning, use a milk wash.
How to make an egg wash: crack an egg in a small bowl. Beat it with a fork for a minute. If your egg is too thick, add a teaspoon of water and beat into the egg.
Step 3: Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
It doesn’t usually take too long to bake these guys. Allow to cool completely before putting them on your pie. They will keep for a week in an airtight container at room temperature. The refrigerator will make them soggy. If you don’t allow them to cool completely before putting them into an airtight container, they will also get soggy.
Like making pie? You might want to try these apple hand pies (which would look adorable with a pie crust leaf on top).
Happy Baking!
If you want to see some incredible pie crust skills, check out Karin Pfeiff Boschek. What she can do with pie crust is pretty amazing!
Did you make this recipe? Tag me @bakincareofbusiness on Instagram so I can see what you made!
To make things a little easier in the kitchen, I’ve created a handy printable conversion chart (cause honestly, who can remember how many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?). Sign up below and I’ll send it to you!
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