How To Make a Lattice Top for a Pie Crust

1. Stage

Prepare the dough: Before starting the lattice top, roll out half of your pie dough and line your pie dish with it. The dough should extend beyond the rim of the pie dish by about 1/2 inch. Put it in the refrigerator to chill while you work on the lattice. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the other half of your pie dough to the same extent as the first half (about 3 inches beyond the diameter of your pie dish). It's easier to work with the dough if it is chilled, so if it the dough has softened too much, put the rolled-out piece on a flat cookie sheet and chill it in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes.

2. Stage

Cut the dough into even strips: Cut the dough into even strips, 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch wide, depending on how thick you want your lattice strips. You can use a blunt knife with or without a ruler or straight edge to guide you, or you can use a pizza wheel or a pastry wheel if you have one.

3. Stage

Fill your pie, lay down the strips: Fill your pie shell with the pie filling. Lay out 4 to 7 parallel strips of the pie dough, depending on how thick your strips are, on top of the filling, with about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch space between them. Fold back every other strip.

4. Stage

Start weaving the cross strips: Place one long strip of dough perpendicular to the parallel strips as shown. Unfold the folded strips over the perpendicular strip.

5. Stage

Fold and weave parallel strips: Now take the parallel strips that are running underneath the perpendicular strip and fold them back over the perpendicular strip, as shown. Lay down a second perpendicular strip of dough next to the first strip, with some space between the strips. Unfold the folded parallel strips over the second strip.

6. Stage

Continue weaving and finish: Continue this process until the weave is complete over the top of the pie.

7. Stage

Trim the dough and crimp the edges: Trim the edges of the strips flush with the dough of the underlying pie dish, which should be about half an inch over the sides. Fold back the rim of the shell over the edge of the lattice strips, and crimp to secure.

8. Stage

Bake until browned: Bake pie as directed in your recipe. Let cook for at least an hour before serving. Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!