3 Easy Ways to Pretty Up Your Pies

A simple pie is a thing of beauty. But at Thanksgiving you may want to take things up a notch. These quick ideas will make your creation look as good as it tastes.
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numbered thanksgiving pies

1. Bump it Up

A buttery crumble makes any pie better. In a bowl, mix 2/3 cup each flour and brown sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, 1 tsp. cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Squeeze some together for larger crumbles and leave some in smaller pieces.

2. Cut it Out

Instead of struggling with a circle of floppy dough, cover the top of your pie with small piecrust cutouts instead. Leaves are perfect for Thanksgiving, but stars, circles, and hearts are fun options, too. Tip: For a fun flourish, crimp the edge with a church key (that pointy gadget you use for opening cans and bottles).

3. Vent a Little

When cutting vents in a top crust, get creative. Free-form slashes are really easy and give your pie a rustic look. Other things to try: your initials, a small X in the center of the crust, or a hashtag (hello, Insta!).

orange rachael ray pastry brush

Bonus tip! Want your pie to look bakery-perfect? Brush the crust with a beaten egg or heavy cream, then sprinkle with coarse sugar.