How To

How to Make a Pie Crust Shield to Keep Edges from Burning

Taste of Home

Be a pie crust hero! With just some aluminum foil, you can make your own pie crust shield.

It’s every pie bakers worst nightmare: You pop your gorgeous pie in the oven and before the center is completely cooked, the edges have burned to a crisp. Such a shame for a perfect pie crust!

To rectify the situation, you might, like me, haphazardly scrunch strips of foil onto the edges. I can tell you, this doesn’t work so well. The foil falls off more often than not. But that doesn’t mean that aluminum foil isn’t the right tool for the job. In fact, you can make a pie crust shield from foil that actually works. Here’s how to do it.

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How to Make a Homemade Pie Crust Shield

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The first step of creating your own pie crust shield is to tear off a square sheet of aluminum foil that’s big enough to cover your pie. You don’t need to use heavy-duty foil, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Pick up this bulk-sized roll ($29) and you’ll be set for years of serious pie baking.

Then fold the foil in half, then in half again—the same way you would if you were making paper snowflakes. Cut a curve around the edge making sure that the circle you’re forming with this cut is large enough to fit around the outside edge of your pie dish. Cut another curve about three inches inside of your first slice.

You should end up with a large ring. This is your pie shield (and it’s OK if it’s not a perfect circle).

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And don’t worry about the foil ruining your scissors. It actually can help sharpen them!

How to Protect Your Pie Crust

Taste of Home

Using your shield is super simple. Just set the ring of foil over your crust and lightly crimp the foil around the edge of the pan so it stays in place. Don’t crimp too hard, though—you don’t want to ruin a gorgeous, decorative edge.

Now, there are two schools of thought when it comes to using a pie crust shield: Put it on early or put it on late. Both methods work just fine. If you want to use the shield right away, lightly crimp it over your uncooked crust. Then remove it with about 20 minutes to go in your bake time. You can also place the shield over your crust when it’s nearing that perfectly golden point. The foil will protect it for the rest of the bake.

Use This Trick on These Juicy Fruit Pies

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Citrus Cranberry Pie

Citrus Cranberry Pie

To showcase abundant fall cranberries, make this beautiful lattice-topped pie. A dollop of orange cream complements the slightly tart flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Sour Cream Apple Pie

Sour Cream Apple Pie

A cool, creamy version of the original, this delicious dessert is the perfect finish to a satisfying summer meal. Its crumbly topping and smooth apple filling are crowd-pleasers! Be prepared to serve seconds. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina

Banana Cream Pie

Banana Cream Pie

Made from our farm-fresh dairy products, this pie was a sensational creamy treat anytime that Mom served it. Her recipe is a real treasure, and I've never found one that tastes better! —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

Chocolate Raspberry Pie

Chocolate Raspberry Pie

After tasting this pie at my sister-in-law's house, I had to have the recipe. I love the chocolate and raspberry layers separated by a dreamy cream layer. It's a joy to serve this standout treat! —Ruth Bartel, Morris, Manitoba

Blueberry Pie with Lemon Crust

Blueberry Pie with Lemon Crust

I just had to share this blueberry pie recipe. Mom and I have fun making it together, and I hope one day to be a great baker like she is. —Sara West, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie

Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie

For my mother's birthday, I made this strawberry pie recipe instead of a cake. Since it was mid-May in Oklahoma, the berries were absolutely perfect. It was a memorable occasion for the whole family. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama

Homemade Pear Pie

Homemade Pear Pie

I entered this pie in a local baking contest and ended up winning! Bartlett pears hold up well when baked, adding a nice layer of texture. —Darlene Jacobson, Waterford, Wisconsin

Apple Pie

I remember coming home sullen one day because we'd lost a softball game. Grandma, in her wisdom, suggested, "Maybe a slice of my homemade apple pie will make you feel better." One bite, and Grandma was right. If you want to learn how to make homemade apple pie filling, this is really the only recipe you need. —Maggie Greene, Granite Falls, Washington

Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream

Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream

You’ll find pineapples and coconut everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii

Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries

Creamy Lime Pie with Fresh Berries

I combined the tangy tastes of lime and cilantro with cream cheese for this unusual berry pie that showcases seasonal fruit. The ginger cookies add zip to the crust. —Anneliese Barz, Fort Mill, South Carolina

Winnie's Mini Rhubarb & Strawberry Pies

Winnie's Mini Rhubarb & Strawberry Pies

Every spring, we had strawberries and rhubarb on our farm outside Seattle. These fruity hand pies remind me of those times and of Grandma Winnie’s baking. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California

Juicy Cherry Pie

Juicy Cherry Pie

Lucky you! Tart, or sour, cherry season is in the heart of summer. Choose fresh tart cherries that are bright in color, shiny and plump. They should feel relatively firm when pressed lightly. —Karen Berner, New Canaan, Connecticut

Banana-Pineapple Cream Pies

Banana-Pineapple Cream Pies

My mother gave me this simple and delicious recipe years ago. The recipe makes two pies, so it's perfect for a potluck. I've never met anyone who didn't like it! —Robyn Appenzeller, Portsmouth, Virginia

Gingersnap Crumb Pear Pie

Gingersnap Crumb Pear Pie

This basic recipe was one my grandmother used for making crumble pies from fresh fruit. She simply substituted oats, gingersnaps or vanilla wafers depending on the fruit. Pear was always my favorite, and I added the ginger and caramel to give it a new twist. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

Hand-Held Apple Pies

Hand-Held Apple Pies

When I was in high school, my best friend's mother baked this mini apple pie recipe every year. I was thrilled when she shared it with me—I finally felt like an adult! —Katie Ferrier, Houston, Texas

Raspberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

Raspberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

"Slab pie" is a pastry baked in a jelly-roll pan and cut in slabs like a bar cookie—or a pie bar, if you will. My grandfather was a professional baker and served pieces of slab pie to his customers back in the day. Here is my spin, featuring rhubarb and gorgeous red raspberries. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lemon Supreme Pie

Lemon Supreme Pie

A friend and I often visit a local restaurant for pie and coffee. When they stopped carrying our favorite lemon supreme pie, I got busy in the kitchen and created this version, which we think tastes even better! The combination of the cream cheese and tart lemon is wonderful. —Jana Beckman, Wamego, Kansas

Berry Cream Pie

Berry Cream Pie

I found this recipe in a very old cookbook and made it for a family gathering. The pie was gone in no time. It's a perfect summertime treat.

Rhu-berry Pie

I cook in a coffee shop, so I'm always looking for new and unique pies to serve my customers. The combination of blueberries and rhubarb in this recipe caught my eye and it was an instant best-seller. —Karen Dougherty, Freeport, Illinois

Mango Pie with Coconut Crust

Mango Pie with Coconut Crust

This was the first pie I created myself. Mangoes are one of my favorite fruits, and they deserve to be represented in a pie. Of course, everything is better with coconut. —Jennifer Worrell, Niles, Illinois

Best Ever Fresh Strawberry Pie

Best Ever Fresh Strawberry Pie

Next time you get a pint or two of perfectly ripe strawberries, make my favorite pie. It combines fresh berries and a lemony cream cheese layer. If you’re in a hurry, use a pre-made pie shell. —Janet Leach, Granger, Washington

Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie

Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie

Summer is peak season for Key limes, a must for this pie’s distinctive sweet-tart flavor. Unlike other Key lime pies, mine has a smooth marshmallow top layer that makes it stand out as a crowd favorite. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina

Berry Smoothie Pie

Berry Smoothie Pie

This refreshing dessert is so beautiful and tastes sensational. Your family will love it, just like mine! —Jill Bonanno, Prineville, Oregon

Golden Peach Pie

Golden Peach Pie

Years ago, I entered this pie in the Park County Fair in Livingston. It won a first-place blue ribbon plus a purple ribbon for best all-around! Family and friends agree with the judges—it's a perfectly peachy pie. —Shirley Olson, Polson, Montana

Frozen Hawaiian Pie

Frozen Hawaiian Pie

Cool summer pies are one of Mom's specialties. This version offers pineapple, maraschino cherries and walnuts that are folded into a fluffy filling. It's an easy yet tempting no-bake dessert. —Jennifer Mcquillan, Jacksonville, Florida

Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie

Caramel-Pecan Apple Pie

You'll love the smell in your kitchen—and the smiles on everybody's faces—when you make this scrumptious caramel apple pie recipe. It takes me back home to Virginia and being at my granny's table. —Jean Castro, Phoenix, Arizona

Fresh Blackberry Pie

Fresh Blackberry Pie

I grew up on a farm, and we always picked fruits in early summer and used them to make desserts. This blackberry pie is a real stunner. —Gladys Gibbs, Brush Creek, Tennessee

Cranberry Cheese Crumb Pie

Cranberry Cheese Crumb Pie

My mind works overtime to plan treats that surprise the family. They give this cranberry pie a “wow” and invite friends over to share it. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Stone Fruit Pie

Stone Fruit Pie

You can use any type of stone fruit in this pie. I love combining white peaches with sour cherries! —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Apple Cranberry Slab Pie

Apple Cranberry Slab Pie

My husband loves pie, so I made one with apples, raspberries and cranberries. It’s so good, I bend the rules and let the grandkids have it for breakfast. —Brenda Smith, Curran, Michigan

Rhubarb Cheese Pie

Rhubarb Cheese Pie

This tangy rhubarb pie is topped with a luscious cream cheese layer. —Stacey Meyer, Plymouth, Wisconsin

Cherry-Berry Streusel Pie

Cherry-Berry Streusel Pie

I entered this delicious pie in the Oklahoma State Fair and won a ribbon. It's very pretty and tastes great, especially served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Rosalie Seebeck, Bethany, Oklahoma

Personal Pear Pot Pies

Personal Pear Pot Pies

Talk about cutie pies! These tasty pear mini pies, baked in ramekins, are super easy. Frozen puff pastry makes it simple to treat your loved ones to personal-size desserts. —Barbara Engelhart, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Ozark Mountain Berry Pie

Ozark Mountain Berry Pie

I think the best berries in the world are grown in the Ozarks. We own a small berry farm, and this is one of my favorite recipes. It's delicious served warm. —Elaine Moody, Clever, Missouri

No-Bake Apple Pie

No-Bake Apple Pie

We always have an abundance of apples in the fall, so I like to make this easy pie. My husband has diabetes, and this recipe fits into his diet...but everyone enjoys it. —Shirley Vredenburg, Ossineke, Michigan

Fresh Strawberries & Amaretto Cream Pie

Fresh Strawberries & Amaretto Cream Pie

Strawberry pie is even more luscious when you cover it with a generous layer of amaretto cream. Keep the recipe in mind whenever you have a bounty of fresh berries. —Charis O'Connell, Mohnton, Pennsylvania

Juicy Raspberry Pie

Juicy Raspberry Pie

This pie is packed with jammy raspberry flavor and looks stunning. Have some fun with the top pie pastry and punch out star shapes for a festive look. — Karen Berner, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Orange Chocolate Ricotta Pie

Orange Chocolate Ricotta Pie

A traditional Italian dessert served during the holidays and for special occasions, the orange and chocolate flavors make a classic Italian pairing. The result is rich and tangy - a perfect finale to a Mediterranean-style dinner. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Lattice-Topped Pear Slab Pie

Lattice-Topped Pear Slab Pie

A lattice top serves as a charming frame for this special holiday dessert filled with fresh pears and candied fruit. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you like. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Sour Cream Cherry Pie

Sour Cream Cherry Pie

“If I can beat the birds to our cherry tree, I'll make this luscious pie. Otherwise, strawberries or blueberries can be substituted. It's especially good served warm with vanilla bean ice cream." —Betty Wingo, Marshall, Arkansas

Cinnamon Swirl Apple Pie

Cinnamon Swirl Apple Pie

Apples and cinnamon go together like peanut butter and jelly. It's no wonder my kids love this scrumptious cinnamon roll apple pie recipe that uses a shortcut ingredient to make a deliciously fun crust. —Barbara Curran, Lebanon, New Jersey

Raspberry Peach Pie

Raspberry Peach Pie

I came up with this recipe when we had a bumper crop of raspberries, and a friend gave me some of the juiciest peaches we'd ever tasted. —Jean Boelsma, Bethel, Maine

Blueberry Cloud Pie

Blueberry Cloud Pie

I always make two of these pies at a time because my husband and five children devour them! It's so light and fluffy, and the cereal-treat crust puts an extra playful spin on cloud pie. —Denise Heatwole, Waynesboro, Georgia

Tasty Lemon Meringue Pie

Tasty Lemon Meringue Pie

The recipe for this yummy lemon pie comes from my grandmother. It's a lovely, special dessert that feels like home.—Merle Dyck, Elkford, British Columbia

Oregon's Best Marionberry Pie

Oregon's Best Marionberry Pie

I believe Oregon marionberries make about the best berry pie in the world. And when you add some cream cheese and flavorings, you'll be making the best even better! —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon

Sour Cream Rhubarb Pie

Sour Cream Rhubarb Pie

A hint of orange flavor and a nice blend of spices complement the tangy rhubarb. I like to serve the pie while it's still warm. —Doreen Martin, Kitimat, British Columbia

Star studded blueberry pie

Star-Studded Blueberry Pie

Family and friends say this patriotic pie is better than a local favorite from one of our best neighborhood restaurants. Sometimes, I switch things up and use gooseberries for half of the blueberries. —Nancy Barker, Silverton, Oregon

Four-Fruit Pie

"My husband likes this fruity combination almost as much as traditional apple pie - and that's saying something!" notes field editor Joan Rose of Langley, British Columbia. "I keep rhubarb, blueberries and raspberries in the freezer and always have apples on hand for this colorful dessert."

Upside-Down Apple Pie

Upside-Down Apple Pie

This pie has won eight ribbons at area fairs. People say it looks and tastes like a giant apple-cinnamon bun. I take time off from work around the holidays to fill pie requests from family and friends. The recipe has become everyone's favorite. —Susan Frisch, Germansville, Pennsylvania

Spiced Plum Pie

Spiced Plum Pie

The subtle tastes of orange and nutmeg bring out the fresh flavor of plums in this comforting pie. Be sure to have a slice while it's still warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Lucille Mead, Ilion, New York

Arctic Orange Pie

Arctic Orange Pie

This frosty orange pie is so easy to make. I have tried lemonade, mango and pineapple juice concentrates instead of orange, and my family loves each one. —Marie Przepierski, Erie, Pennsylvania

Peaches 'n' Cream Lattice Pie

Peaches 'n' Cream Lattice Pie

Emma Rea from Columbia, South Carolina recommends this eye-catching pie packed with juicy peaches. Come on…try a piece!

Deep-Dish Apple Pie

Deep-Dish Apple Pie

This recipe is a winner! The crust is so flaky and the filling is sure to please everyone. —Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Massachusetts

Tart Cherry Lattice Pie on a pink tablecloth.

Tart Cherry Lattice Pie

Whenever my mom is invited to a party or potluck, everyone requests her homemade double-crust fruit pies. In the summer, she uses fresh tart cherries for this recipe. I love a slice topped with vanilla ice cream. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

Blueberry Custard Pie

Blueberry Custard Pie

This blueberry custard pie is one of my husband’s favorite desserts. We pick our own fresh blueberries; they make the pie even better. One piece is never enough. —Sonja Jenner, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Apple Rhubarb Crumb Pie

Apple Rhubarb Crumb Pie

My family and friends always ask for my apple rhubarb pie for birthdays and get-togethers. Everyone loves the unique flavor that the rhubarb adds to this pie. —Sherri Moon, Decatur, Indiana.

Blackberry Cheese Pie

Blackberry Cheese Pie

This cheese pie is great to serve at church potlucks because it has a memorable taste and look. The citrus tang really goes well with the colorful berries and velvety cream cheese filling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Red, White and Blueberry Pie

Red, White and Blueberry Pie

This creamy pie gets dressed up with berries to make a showstopping display at any Fourth of July party or summer get-together. It's as pretty as it is tasty! —Kimberly McFarland, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream

Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream

You’ll find pineapples and coconut everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii

Swedish Apple Pie

Swedish Apple Pie

This decadent apple pie serves up homemade flavor in every bite. This is a perfect snack with coffee or as an after-dinner treat. —Sarah Klier, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Frozen Peach Pies

Frozen Peach Pies

A refreshing, peachy filling and a buttery graham cracker crust are the perfect pair. I’ve found that this pie can be frozen up to three days. —Athena M. Russell, Florence, South Carolina

Juicy Peach & Strawberry Crumb Pie

Juicy Peach & Strawberry Crumb Pie

You've had peach pie and strawberry pie, and maybe even peach-strawberry pie. But throw in some garden-fresh basil and you're in for a real treat. Try it. —Lindsay Sprunk, Noblesville, Indiana

Contest-Winning Fresh Blueberry Pie

Contest-Winning Fresh Blueberry Pie

I've been making this blueberry pie recipe for decades since the ingredients for the filling are readily available in Michigan. Nothing says summer like a piece of fresh blueberry pie! —Linda Kernan, Mason, Michigan

Raspberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

Raspberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

"Slab pie" is a pastry baked in a jelly-roll pan and cut in slabs like a bar cookie—or a pie bar, if you will. My grandfather was a professional baker and served pieces of slab pie to his customers back in the day. Here is my spin, featuring rhubarb and gorgeous red raspberries. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cranberry-Cherry Nut Pie

Cranberry-Cherry Nut Pie

This delightful, stress-free pie combines cranberries with convenient cherry pie filling for a fresh, fun flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Blue-Ribbon Apple Pie

Blue-Ribbon Apple Pie

This pie is special to me because I won a blue ribbon for it at the local fair and was able to compete at the state farm show. —Collette Gaugler, Fogelsville, Pennsylvania

Winning Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie

Winning Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie

While being raised on a farm I often ate rhubarb, so it's natural for me to use it in a pie. I prefer to use lard for the flaky pie crust and thin, red rhubarb stalks for the filling. These two little secrets helped this recipe win top honors at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. —Marianne Carlson, Jefferson, Iowa

Creamy Pineapple Pie

Creamy Pineapple Pie

Creamy Pineapple Pie is a light and refreshing dessert that's quick to make and impressive to serve. This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina

Stone Fruit Pie

Stone Fruit Pie

You can use any type of stone fruit in this pie. I love combining white peaches with sour cherries! —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Cranberry Pear Crisp Pie

Cranberry Pear Crisp Pie

Filled with a bubbling combination of cranberries and pears, this crumb-topped dessert is a wonderful change of pace from traditional pies. — Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida

Autumn Surprise Pie

Autumn Surprise Pie

When the weather starts getting a little cooler and the leaves start falling, what better way to welcome in fall than with a homemade pie? This version calls for apples, pears and raisins flavored with rum extract. —Karen Gauvreau, Clearwater, Florida

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