A tent of aluminum foil can be an effective way to prevent your pie crust from becoming overly browned during baking. Tenting is a method of covering the top of the pie with foil, while still allowing air to circulate. This helps to evenly distribute the heat in the oven, resulting in a perfectly-baked pie.
What You'll Need
The supplies needed to tent a pie with aluminum foil are minimal. All you need is a standard-sized pie plate and a roll of aluminum foil.
Step-by-Step Guide for Tenting a Pie
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Before you begin tenting the pie, preheat the oven to the temperature specified in the recipe.
Step 2: Place Pie Plate in Oven
Carefully place the pie plate in the preheated oven.
Step 3: Tent Pie with Foil
Once the pie is in the oven, carefully tent the top of the pie with aluminum foil. Make sure the foil is not touching the edges of the pie crust.
Step 4: Bake Pie
Bake the pie according to the recipe instructions.
Step 5: Remove Foil Tent
When the pie is done baking, carefully remove the foil tent from the top of the pie.
Tips for Tenting a Pie with Aluminum Foil
Lightly Tear Foil
When tenting the pie with aluminum foil, lightly tear the foil into sections that are large enough to cover the top of the pie. Tearing the foil will help create a more natural tent-like shape.
Do Not Over-Tent
Do not over-tent the pie with aluminum foil. The idea is to create a makeshift tent over the top of the pie, not a complete seal. If the foil is too tightly wrapped around the pie, it will not allow the heat to properly circulate, resulting in an unevenly-baked crust.
Check Pie Midway Through Baking
Check the pie midway through baking to make sure the crust is not browning too quickly. If it is, then add an additional layer of foil to the top of the pie.