Burnt Pie? Tips to Save The Day
Who hasn’t burned the pie? It happens to the best of us! So, first, take a deep breath and embrace it. As it may seem unsalvageable, there are a few tricks to bring your burnt pie back to life just in time for dinner!
Do damage control on the pie:
Foremost, secure the kitchen space and get the smoke out. Open the windows and air the room. It's super important to assure the oven is turned off. After everything is safe again, pull the pie and examine it in clear light.
If the crust is burnt:
How much of it is lost? Is the filling uncooked and the crusts burnt? Generally, crusts cook faster. If that's the case, remove the edges and replace them with whipped cream, fruits, or even chocolate paste.
If it's a double-crust pie that burns completely, remove the entire top crust and replace it with a refrigerated store-bought crust.
Fit, crimp, and egg wash again, return it to the oven for about 25 minutes and watch closely. It might take less time than you think!
If the filling is uncooked:
If the crust is a bit over-browned, but the filling isn't cooked through, cover the surface with aluminum foil. Prepare the oven, low the temperature, and put it back in. Preferably on the lower rack of the oven.
When is it too late?
There’s a chance the pie is beyond salvation. When to think about plan B? If the bottom of the crust is burned completely, it will be too hard to get rid of the smoky aftertaste.
If that's the case, you could transfer the filling -try not to manipulate it too much into another crust before baking again.
Tips for the next pie
Everything is a lesson! A few things to keep in mind to prevent a burned pie:
Buy an oven thermometer: using a thermometer is the only exact way to know if the temperature is too hot or cold. Also, rest assured it will work on any kind of oven, so it can travel with you to your family’s or friend's kitchen.
Pick the lower third of the oven: if you put the pie on the lower rack of the oven, it will cook from the bottom up, preventing the burnt edges and a soggy bottom crust.
Cook your pie in a glass dish: sometimes baking the perfect pie depends on your senses. Using a glass container can help to monitor how brown it is on both the bottom and sides, not just the top.