This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Want to get fancy with your pies and add a little flair? Here’s how to make a lattice pie crust that will impress everyone at your next gathering!
Table of Contents
Who Doesn’t Love Pie?
The holidays are right around the corner, which means pie GALORE, and we’ve got plenty of pie recipes! Not only is pie a popular dessert during the festive season (or really any time, if you ask us!) but making them can be a fun activity for the whole family. With six kids in the house, we love spending time in the kitchen together, making pies, and enjoying the chaos that comes with it!
Pies are a classic—especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas! Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie probably come to mind. You can easily use a store-bought crust for convenience, but we love making our own Homemade Pie Crust! It’s SO easy with our pie crust recipe. If you want to get creative, try adding a lattice crust on top. Not sure how to make a lattice topping? Keep reading for the instructions!
Why We Love PIe:
- Sweet or Savory. Pies aren’t just for dessert! Savory pies like Chicken Pot Pie or Shepherd’s Pie offer a hearty and flavorful meal option.
- Holiday Tradition: Pies are a beloved holiday dessert, whether it’s Mud Pie for Thanksgiving or Dutch Apple Pie for Christmas. They add a touch of tradition and nostalgia to special occasions.
- Family Fun: Baking a pie together can be a delightful bonding experience for the whole family.
Types of Pie
Believe it or not, there are so many different types of pies! Here’s a quick breakdown of the main types you’ll come across.
- Lattice Pie. The star of this post! This is a double-crust pie where the top crust is woven into a pretty lattice pattern. You typically see these on fruit pies.
- Double-Crust. This classic pie has both a bottom and a top crust, which can be solid, lattice, or decorative. Think of fruit pies like Blueberry Pie or Cherry Pie!
- Single-Crust. Also known as open-face pies, these have just a bottom crust. These are going to be pies like Lemon Meringue Pie or Chocolate Pecan Pie.
- Crustless Pie. Some pies, like certain quiches or custard pies, skip the crust entirely and focus more on the filling.
Let’s Make a Lattice Pie Crust
Do you remember making checkered placemats with two different colors of paper in grade school? Creating a lattice pie crust is a lot like that! It’s a fun way to weave strips of dough into a beautiful pattern. Here’s a tutorial on how to do it with step-by-step photos:
- Chill your dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes before you begin. This helps it stay firm and makes it easier to roll out.
- Sprinkle flour over your work surface, then grab a rolling pin to roll out the pie crust on that lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a circle about 2 inches larger than your pie plate. Then, use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into longer strips, about ½ to 1 inch wide.
- Take half of the dough strips and lay them vertically across the pie filling, spacing them evenly apart.
- Fold back every other strip halfway, then place a horizontal strip across the unfolded strips.
- Unfold the folded strips back over the horizontal strip.
- Fold back the remaining vertical strips that weren’t folded before, then lay down another horizontal strip next to the first one.
- Repeat the folding and laying process with the remaining strips until you’ve created a lattice pattern.
- Use a sharp knife to trim the excess dough from the edges of the pie dish. Press the edges of the lattice strips and bottom crust together to seal them. Crimp the edges of the pie using your thumb and index finger to create a decorative border.
- Use a pastry brush to apply an egg wash to your lattice crust for a golden brown finish.
More like this
Kitchen Tips
How to Measure Flour
Recipe Video
How to Soften Butter Quickly
10 mins
How to Separate Egg Whites
Recipe Video
How to Cream Butter and Sugar
Recipe Video
Lattice Pie Recipes
More Pie Recipes
FAQs
Yes! You can assemble the lattice top ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Just be sure not to let it sit out for too long to avoid sogginess.
Absolutely! You can freeze the assembled pie before baking. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then bake it directly from the freezer when you’re ready.
It’s usually not necessary to pre-bake the bottom crust unless your pie recipe specifically calls for it. Most fruit pies will bake just fine with the lattice top applied directly.
