Here is a great idea to decorate your Fall pies (pumpkin and apple) and both can be done ahead of time. For my pumpkin pie this year I used 3 sizes of leaf cutters and some of my homemade pie dough. I have a set of 5 different maple leaf sizes that I bought a long time ago. There are lots of cookie cutters available in all different sizes and designs. You can buy refrigerated pie dough to make it easier if you want. Cut out the different shapes and kind of decide on the design you want on top of your pie. I just made a bunch!
Brush each leaf (if desired) with a beaten egg, then sprinkle with a little sugar. Cut veins in the leaves with a sharp knife. If you want the leaves curled (it does look nice) roll up pieces of foil and place underneath the part of the leaf you want to curve. It really gives another dimension to the leaves. You could also paint the leaves to give them some additional color.
Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 8 to 10 minutes depending on the size of the leaf. Just watch closely so they do not burn. I baked the large leaves separately and the two smaller ones I baked together.
I also have used pecan/walnut halves, roasted, with one end dipped in chocolate and then rolled in minced nuts to look like an acorn for this apple pie. I need to make more pies and take pictures of other decorations I have used in the past. I will add more ideas as I make them!
How about these cute butterscotch-pecan acorns to decorate a pie or a cake. I think this idea comes from a Better Homes and Garden Magazine.
Toast some pecan halves and place two halves together with a small amount of melted butterscotch morsels. Dip one end in melted butterscotch and sprinkle with minced nuts. Stick a whole clove into the top of each acorn. Refrigerate on wax paper. Be sure not to eat the clove! These would look cute on a caramel spice cake and a pie.
I think I should buy the cutter in shape of maple leaf, they look so beautiful as decoration!
Everyone liked the leaves and the dough tasted good too as I used homemade pie dough. These leaves are maple and come 5 to a set. I checked online and they are still available. I bought mine a long time ago from Williams Sonoma but I see Kitchen Krafts sells them now 🙂
Oh my that pie looks amazing Aunt juju with leaf patterns on it…love it ….
Thanks Chitra – As I was not doing dinner I had all kinds of time to “play” and make these leaves 🙂
Beautiful. I love these little details that take a dish and ramp it up. It tells your guests that you appreciate having them at your table.
You bet Julie – how you decorate/garnish a recipe can really make a difference 🙂
I love decorating pies too! They are my favorite thing to bake. I really love your chocolate covered pecans placed exactly where the cuts will be! I do that with the leaves. a nice idea! thanks!
You’re welcome Angie – when I make pies I need to make time to decorate them properly 🙂
Oh wow!!!! What a beautiful idea xx
Thanks – using any cookie cutter to decorate pies/desserts is fun and always worth it 🙂
It looks beautiful, Judi 🙂
Thanks Linda – everyone enjoyed the pumpkin pies 🙂
Awesome secret revealed!!! Thank you Judi! We can find our inner Martha now!
I use to be a huge fan of Martha – still am but not quite as devoted 🙂 Fun to have time to make a dessert a little special!
I love how you made some of the leaves curl a little, just like the leaves when they lay drying in the sun.
Thanks Karen – I think I saw the idea for leaves in Food Network 🙂
Oh, these are cool. Beautiful pies.
Thanks Fae – they were good too 🙂