how long to bake pie crust shell
To bake a pie crust shell, follow these guidelines for the best results:
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Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your pie crust, whether homemade or store-bought, and chill it if necessary to prevent shrinking.
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Blind Baking: For a pre-baked shell, line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans to prevent puffing.
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Baking Time:
- Bake with weights at 375°F for 12-15 minutes for par-baking (partially baked).
- Remove the weights and parchment, then continue baking for an additional 5 minutes to fully bake the crust, totaling 15-20 minutes.
- If baking without weights from the start, bake for 15-20 minutes for a partially baked crust and 20-25 minutes for a fully baked one.
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Checking Doneness: The edges should be golden brown. Use a glass pie dish if possible to monitor the bottom for doneness.
- Adjustments: Consider your oven’s temperature accuracy and adjust baking time as needed. Start with lower times and check towards the end to avoid burning.
By following these steps, you can achieve a perfectly baked pie crust shell.