Pie plates are round baking pans with sloping sides used for various baking needs. They come in ceramic, metal, or glass and can be used for recipes besides pie. Glass plates are popular for checking crust readiness, while ceramic plates make charming serving dishes. They can be used for baked cobblers, chips, coffee cake, and roasting vegetables.
A pie pan or cake pan is a round baking pan with gently sloping sides, used for a variety of basic baking needs. They are usually made of ceramic, metal or glass and can come in various colors. A pie plate is an extremely useful tool for any baker, as it can be used for many other recipes besides pie.
Because of the outward sloping sides, a pie plate is slightly wider at the top than the base. They are typically measured from the inside diameter of the top edge. Glass and ceramic versions often include a wide lip, which is useful for forming fluted crusts or for joining double-crust pies. Most pie plates are 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) in diameter and between 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6.3 cm) deep.
Metal pie plates are usually the least expensive and can be found at grocery stores or kitchen supply stores. They are typically made from tin or aluminum, although extremely inexpensive disposable versions are usually made from stiff aluminum foil. A disposable pie plate is great for toasting nuts and other baking projects that might accidentally burn or stain nicer baked goods. Aluminum plates are typically under $3 United States Dollars (USD). The nicer metal versions cost between $5-$15 USD and may have perforations in the bottom to ensure an evenly cooked crust.
Glass pie dishes appear to be the most popular with consumers, as they have the added benefit of being able to visually check the bottom crust for readiness. Tempered glass is used in these dishes, which allows them to be exposed to high heat without danger of shattering or chipping. A glass pie plate is slightly more expensive than a metal version; most range in price from $10 to $40 USD.
For a traditional look, a pretty colorful or patterned ceramic plate may be your go-to choice. Made from heavy ceramic, they come in a rainbow of colours. Some may come with decorative lids, to cover the cake and keep the heat in after baking. While they lack the useful display of glass pie plates, ceramic plates can make a charming serving dish and make a wonderful heirloom gift. While it varies by manufacturing company, ceramic pie plates are typically the most expensive of the three varieties, ranging from $20 to $60 USD.
A pie plate can be extremely useful for many baking projects other than just pie. They are useful for baked cobblers, chips or coffee cake. In a pinch, they can be used to roast vegetables in the oven or make a round loaf of unleavened bread such as cornbread or banana bread. Most cooking experts consider a pie plate an essential cooking tool.
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