What Are the Causes of Pie & Pastry Baking Failure?

When making a pie crust or pastry, carefully follow the recipe, but remember that results may vary. Protein content in flour, humidity in the air and elevation levels can affect the end result. You can take a few steps, however, to prevent problems.

Soggy Crust

If the pie filling is particularly wet, brushing the bottom crust with beaten egg can help prevent it from becoming soggy.

Substituting Fats

Substitution of one type of fat for another can lead to an unsatisfactory result. Different fats have variable water content, which may impact the pastry.

Over-mixing

Pie and pastry dough should be handled as little as possible. Over-working the dough can cause it to be chewy.

Over-baking

Do not fail to check on the progress of the crust while it is cooking. Bake times are approximate. Cover the edges with tin foil if they are browning too fast.

Warm Dough

The fat and liquids used in a pie pastry dough should always be chilled. This will give the crust a flaky, light texture.

Sticky Dough

If rolling out the pastry or pie crust is difficult, try chilling the dough for 30 minutes to one hour. This will solidify the fat, making the dough less sticky.