Learn how to weave a beautiful lattice pie crust with these helpful steps and video guide, plus some fun ways to pimp your lattice!
What is a lattice pie crust?
A lattice pie crust is made by weaving strips of pastry into an open mesh-like pattern. It’s a classic way to decorate sweet and savoury pies – not only does it look stunning but it also allows for steam from the filling to easily escape, meaning you won’t get any accidental pie explosions in your oven! Attempting a lattice weave can be intimidating at first, so we’ve broken down the process with a video and written steps for you to become a master of the lattice crust.
How to weave a lattice pie crust
YOU WILL NEED
- 1 roll store-bought shortcrust pastry, thawed (or homemade pie dough)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- White or brown sugar, for sprinkling
METHOD
- Carefully unroll the sheet of pastry on a lightly floured work surface. If necessary, use a rolling pin to roll out the pastry so that the short side is long enough to extend the diameter of your pie. Using a pizza cutter, cut the pastry into approximately 2cm-wide strips from the long side of the pastry.
- Space a few strips evenly from left to right over your filled pie. Pro tip: If you find your strips are a little too short, then gently stretch them to fit.
- Fold every odd number strip (i.e. 1, 3, 5 etc) back halfway, then place a new strip of pastry crossways over the unfolded strips; place the folded strips back in place. Working beneath the newly placed strip, repeat this process, folding back the even numbered strips (i.e. 2, 4, 6 etc) this time. You should be seeing the woven effect starting to emerge! Continue this process until the whole pie is latticed.
- Trim off excess pastry and press or crimp the edges in place.
- Brush the pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Bake at 180ºC until golden brown (or as per your recipe).
Are you more of a visual learner? Have a look at our Instagram video below to get a better understanding of how to create a lattice weave.
View this post on Instagram
Pimp your lattice
Mastered the lattice? The fun doesn’t have to stop there! Here are a few ways to take your pie crust to the next level.
Twist your strips: For some added interest and fun, twist a few (or all) of your pastry strips when creating your lattice.
Incorporate plaits: Instead of using a regular strip of pastry, used a strip of plaited pastry.
Used cookie cutters to create pretty borders
Play around with the thickness & number of pastry strips: Create a unique lattice pattern by (1) using thicker or thinner strips (or a combination of the two) and (2) by folding back two or three strips of pastry at a time instead of one.
Angle the strips on a diagonal: Go the unconventional route and angle your strips instead of placing them 90º to each other
Give your strips patterned edges: Use a zig-zag pastry roller or get creative with cookie cutters to give your strips interesting edges.
Images from Pexels and Unsplash
Homemade pie recipes
Here are some delicious pie recipes for you to practice weaving a lattice crust.
Berry, rose and cherry lattice pie with cream cheese pastry
Bok choi, shiitake mushroom and creamy chicken pie
Blueberry and cherry lattice pie
Kirsty is the food assistant on the Food&Home team. Usually baking up a storm, snapping pics on her camera or buried in her beloved recipe books, she also spends her time tinkering on the piano, doing contemporary dancing and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
