Blind Bake Pillsbury Pie Crust For Pumpkin Pie
If you're planning to make a pumpkin pie with a Pillsbury pie crust, you might want to consider "blind baking" the crust. Blind baking is the process of pre-baking the crust before adding the filling. This helps to prevent the crust from becoming soggy and ensures that it will be flaky and crispy when you serve your pie. In this article, we'll show you how to blind bake a Pillsbury pie crust for pumpkin pie.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Before you start blind baking your Pillsbury pie crust, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the temperature that you'll use to bake your pumpkin pie later on.
Step 2: Prepare Your Pie Crust
Remove your Pillsbury pie crust from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. This will make it easier to work with. Unroll the crust and place it in a 9-inch pie dish. Trim the edges so that they are even with the rim of the dish. Use a fork to prick the bottom and sides of the crust. This will prevent it from puffing up during baking.
Step 3: Line Your Crust With Foil
Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil that is large enough to cover the entire surface of the pie crust. Crumple the foil slightly and then flatten it out again. This will help it to fit snugly against the crust. Place the foil over the crust, pressing it gently against the sides and bottom. Be sure to cover the entire crust, including the edges.
Step 4: Weigh Down The Foil
In order to keep the foil in place and prevent it from puffing up during baking, you'll need to weigh it down. You can use pie weights or dried beans for this. If you don't have pie weights, you can use any type of dried beans, such as kidney beans or black beans. Place a layer of beans or weights on top of the foil, covering the entire surface of the crust.
Step 5: Bake The Crust
Place the pie dish in the preheated oven and bake the crust for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the dish from the oven and carefully lift out the foil and weights. Be sure to set them aside to cool before handling them. Return the pie dish to the oven and continue baking the crust for another 10-15 minutes or until it is golden brown. Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool completely before adding your pumpkin pie filling.
Conclusion
Blind baking a Pillsbury pie crust for pumpkin pie is a simple process that can help to ensure that your pie has the perfect texture. By following these steps, you can make sure that your crust is flaky and crispy, and your filling is delicious and perfectly cooked. So go ahead and give it a try the next time you make a pumpkin pie!
