Posted on November 15, 2017

As if pie weren't perfect and magical enough JUST BY BEING PIE, it also turns out there are so many easy ways to make it beautiful. Hallmark Illustrator Samantha L. sat down and painted pies for us, and we can only hope for her sake she got to eat the subjects after. Whatever kinds of pie you're making for Thanksgiving (or for any other reason), here are 15 easy pie crust designs and some tips for bringing them to a pie near you.

PIE CRUST DESIGNS: DECORATIVE EDGES

7 EDGY PIE CRUST DESIGNS

See what we did there? It's easier than you'd think to make the edge of your pie look festive. These work whether you're doing a single or double crust. Clockwise from crimped:

  • CRIMPED
    Trim the overhang of the crust to about an inch and fold or roll it under. Push a finger or knuckle on the inside edge of the crust into your pinched thumb and index finger on the outside edge, and repeat all the way around. Press the tines of a fork inside the curve.
  • LEAF CUT-OUT
    Use a small cookie cutter to make adorable leaves—or freehand your own. Attach them to the edge with water or egg wash.
  • BRAIDED
    Cut thin strips of dough and make like a middle-school girl at a slumber party. Use water or egg wash to attach them to the pie.
  • PINCHED
    Like crimped, only without the fork. Play around with the size and angle of the pinch for bonus fun.
  • SCALLOPED
    Turn a spoon upside down and make double impressions in the crust.
  • LINED
    Easy peasy—just press the tines of a fork into the edge all the way around.
  • CROSS HATCH
    Start with a lined pattern—then go around again, making perpendicular marks.

PIE CRUST DESIGNS: LAYERED SHAPES TO FORM A TURKEY

TURKEY DAY PIE CRUST DESIGN

Keep the edge simple and put a fancy turkey on top. It just takes a few simple shapes, layered and attached with water or egg wash, to make what Ben Franklin called a "respectable bird."

PIE CRUST DESIGNS: PEEKHOLE

PEEK-HOLE PIE CRUST DESIGN

Cutting holes in your top crust lets steam escape and so your yummy fruit pie won't explode. But it's also a chance to get creative—you can use a sharp knife or cookie cutters to create the vents.

PIE CRUST DESIGNS: CUT PAPER SHAPES

CUT PAPER-INSPIRED PIE CRUST DESIGN

Henri Matisse called it "painting with scissors." Follow his lead by painting with pie crust.

PIE CRUST DESIGNS: GIVE THANKS CUTOUTS

EAT YOUR WORDS PIE CRUST DESIGN

Use cookie cutters to form some letters and add a word, phrase, or quote to your pie.

PIE CRUST DESIGNS: FALLING LEAVES

FALLING LEAVES PIE CRUST DESIGN

Start with a braided edge, and add a few cut-out leaves.

PIE CRUST DESIGNS: LATTICE

LATTICE PIE CRUST DESIGN

You cannot go wrong with a classic. There are lots of step-by-step instructions out there—here's one we like.

PIE CRUST DESIGNS: BRAIDED LATTICE

BRAIDED LATTICE PIE CRUST DESIGN

If you feel like showing off a little, follow the instructions for creating a lattice crust—BUT WITH BRAIDS.

CROSSBRAID PIE CRUST DESIGNS

CROSS-BRAID PIE CRUST DESIGN

Finally, this one blows our minds a little: It combines flat strips with braids in a woven pattern with a pinched crust. A pastry lover's heaven.

Show off your pie crust design skills with our Ginger Pumpkin Pie or Cheddar Thyme Apple Pie, or on these super-adorable mini pies.
And our friends at Hallmark Ideas can hook you up with recipes for a Cream Cheese Pie Crust, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pecan Pie, Apple Pie with Streusel Topping, All-Star Pink Lady Apple Pie, or Fruity Mincemeat Pie.

We want to see your pie crust designs! Share your yummy creations on Facebook or tag us on Instagram!

Illustrations by Sam Lewis.