A bit of baking help for the bakingly challenged please

OK. Everyone knows I can't cook but I'm really trying! Last night I made pumpkin pie. Pretty easy just following the recipe but the pie crust totally stuck to the glass pie pan. What did I do wrong here? I used that 'jus roll' stuff some of the other gals were talking about. We're having our Thanksgiving tomorrow and I wanted to make apple pie but have to sort out the sticking crust issue first. Any ideas?   

butter the pan before you put the pastry in!

butter the pan before you put the pastry in!

Oh was I supposed to do that? I'm telling you I'm like a 9 year old trying to cook! A really really stupid 9 year old! OK. I'll butter the pan. The butter won't burn then?

Yup, sometimes pastry dough is buttery enough to not need to do this, but it's always best to be safe rather than sorry! Take a lump of butter that's come to room temp and rub it all over the pan. I use a paper towel to do it so I don't get butter all over my hands.

Yup, sometimes pastry dough is buttery enough to not need to do this, but it's always best to be safe rather than sorry! Take a lump of butter that's come to room temp and rub it all over the pan. I use a paper towel to do it so I don't get butter all over my hands.

OK. So butter the pan but just coat it right, don't overdo it?

it's not always necessary, but since you've had one bad experience already with it, i'd make sure you lube up the pan for the next one... use butter or marg or Stork or a light coating of oil... whatever you've got.  Not too much, though...

 

 

SMARTA$$!!!!!     


The apple pie came out great! Perfect colour and smells perfect. I'll see tomorrow whether or not I have to use an ice cream scoop to get it out! 

keep trying!

many are my baking disasters.

and yes, they still occur, even to the seasoned veteran!

all part of the fun.

keep the sense of humour and you're in.

as a chef friend always said, 'if you're not happy making it, it won't taste as good'.

The first time I tried to make brownies (I was about 23 at the time) I used bicarb instead of baking powder. They looked and smelled so yummy when they came out of the oven and my flatmate's 7 year old neice was all big eyes waiting for them to cool off so we could taste them. Imagine the disappointment when they tasted like salt! bleuch!!!!

I know you've already made your pie, but just for future reference, try lining the pan with parchment paper! Butter and shortening are totally fab, don't get me wrong, but I sometimes still have problems with the crust sticking when I do that. Parchment paper won't burn in the oven, it makes cleaning up a bit easier, and NOTHING sticks to it! I use it for pies, cakes, cookies, brownies..pretty much everything! If you leave a bit sticking over the sides of the pan if you're making a cake or brownies, all you have to do is pull the paper slowly and the cake or whatever lifts right out of the pan without crumbling or breaking (cakes falling apart whilst trying to get them out of the pan was the bane of my existence for the looooooooongest time). Just a suggestion!

And what's with all the negative 'bakingly challenged' talk? Anyone can whip up far out baked goods, it just takes a wee bit of practise! I've been baking since before I could talk and I still mess up loads, haha!

LOL at the Easy Bake! ^_^

I always spray it with a bit of Pam. If you're challenged at baking, pies are a great way to start, baking is usually so exact,  but pie fillings have a bit of freedom with it! 

I always spray it with a bit of Pam.

We don't have Pam here! 

Pebs, baking isn't always easy.   Even people who are really good cooks sometimes can't bake.  I can't bake for toffee!

We don't have Pam here! 

I wasn't sure if there was something similar. Is there?

Not really... that's why we were all suggesting butter!

There is this stuff called Fry Light which is a spray, but it is so disgusting and foamy and chemical-smelling that i don't know anyone who would use it.