Small slits or other openings must be made in closed pies in order to let steam escape during baking. These can be extremely attractive and in harmony with the pie filling. For example, on the top crust of a fruit pie, prick or cut the outlines of the fruit used, such as apples, peaches, or plums.... An interesting cherry pie can be made by cutting eight half-inch holes in the top crust to represent cherries. For stems, cut slits.... To personalize a pie, prick the initials of the one you wish to honor.... For a Christmas mince pie, roll the top crust, and cut with small Christmas tree cutter, making 5 trees and pointing the tips of the trees to the rim of the pie. The trees should not be cut out of the dough—merely outlined. Brush the trees with egg white and sprinkle with red sugar.

Perky Pastry Cut-outs

Interesting pastry cut-outs, such as fruits, berries, leaves, chickens, birds, and the like can be applied to pie tops with happy effects (see the cluster of blueberries and leaves on the Deep-Dish Blueberry Pie, [page 2]).... The unbaked pastry “patches” are laid on the top crust before baking and brushed with unbeaten egg white or milk.... Tiny pastry stars, hearts, or crescents can be baked and arranged on the top of a chiffon pie.... For the holidays, Christmas trees or bells can be cut out of pastry and laid atop the unbaked filling.

Transcriber’s Notes