How to Make Pie Crust Leaves

If you have always wanted to WOW your guests with an amazing dessert during the  holidays but think those beautiful desserts are only in the magazine’s pictures then you have to read my tutorial on making pie crust leaves.  It’s so easy to make and decorate anything from pumpkin pie to cherry pie!

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I love to bake but always felt my skills at decorating were kind of lacking.  After putting so much time and effort into a special Thanksgiving dinner I wanted to have a dessert that not only tasted delicious but looked beautiful.  That’s why I decided to finally try out the pastry leaf cutters. Surly with the right tools I could make a dessert as beautiful as the magazines, right?

Tools needed to make pie crust leaves

Making the pie crust leaves for your pumpkin pie or apple pie is easy as long as you have a few necessary tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

• double recipe of pie dough
• rolling pin
• leaf cutter
• parchment paper
• baking sheet
• egg wash
• pastry brush

How to make leaves with pie dough

Start with your favorite pie dough recipe or you can even use a store bought dough.  You will want a double recipe so that you have enough dough for the bottom of the pie, while the top crust will be used for your leaf design.  Roll your dough to about ⅛ of an inch think and use pie crust leaf cutters to make your leaves.  If you are making an apple, cherry pie or any pie that has a sturdy filling you can decorate the pie with leaves and then bake.  Here’s an example of an apple pie I made a few years ago.

However, if you are making a pumpkin pie or a pie that has a thinner custard filling, you must bake your leaves separately from the pie and then decorate!  This step is crucial because otherwise your leaves will sink!

Place the pie dough leaves on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Brush your leaves with an egg wash of egg and milk.  I always brush my crust with an egg wash because it gives the pie a beautiful golden color when it bakes.

How to Decorate Pie crust

I love using this as a decoration because I feel my crust edge never comes out perfectly.  I can place the leaves around the edge of the crust covering any edges that do not turn out the way I wanted.  This is also great for covering a crack that might form in the center of the pie.

There’s really no right or wrong way to decorate.  I like to find a pattern with the different shapes of leaves.  You can make several variations so every dessert will be slightly unique.  Decorating with pie crust leaves will elevate your dessert to the center of attention for your next holiday dinner!

 

I would love to see your beautiful holiday desserts! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it #bluesbestlife on Instagram! Seeing your creations makes my day.

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