Parbake or Blind Bake? Everything You Need to Know | Happy Baking with Erin Jeanne McDowell, by Erin Jeanne McDowell on YouTube. 9 min 28 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 28 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Chill your rolled dough in the pie plate for at least 30 minutes. Cold dough holds its shape and stops the sides from slumping during baking.
Heat the oven to 425 F (220 C). Prick the base all over with a fork so steam can escape and the crust does not bubble up.
Line the crust with a sheet of parchment paper, pressing it gently into the corners. Fill it to the top with pie weights, dried beans or raw rice.
For a parbake, bake the weighted crust for about 15 minutes, until the edges look set and pale gold. This is enough for a filling that bakes again in the oven.
For a full blind bake, lift out the parchment and weights after 15 minutes. Return the crust to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes more, until the base is dry and golden.
Check doneness by looking at the base, not just the rim. A pale, shiny or soft center needs more time; a dry, matte, golden surface is ready.
Cool the crust on a rack for at least 10 minutes before adding filling. A hot crust will soften again under a wet filling.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a metal or ceramic pie plate rather than glass if you can, since it heats faster and browns the base better.
Do not skip the weights on the first bake, or the sides will slide down and the base will puff.
If the rim browns too fast, cover just the edges with strips of foil.
Keep the dough cold at every stage, and work quickly if your kitchen is warm.
Questions
What is the difference between parbaking and blind baking?
Parbaking partly bakes the crust so it sets but finishes cooking with the filling. Blind baking fully bakes the crust, which suits no-bake or custard fillings that set without much oven time.
Can I blind bake without pie weights?
Yes. Dried beans, raw rice or even a smaller pie plate set inside the crust will hold it down. Keep the beans for baking only, since they will not be good to eat.
How long should I blind bake a 9 inch crust?
About 15 minutes with weights, then 10 to 15 minutes without them at 425 F. Times vary by oven, so judge by the color and dryness of the base.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
