Reply
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,667
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Problem With Pie Cracking on Top

I have a Chocolate Chess Pie recipe that my family loves -- but for the life of me I cannot get this pie not to crack on top. 

 

Do any of you ladies have a suggestion on how to stop this from happening?

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,143
Registered: ‎04-18-2012

Re: Problem With Pie Cracking on Top

The most likely reasons are over cooking or cooling too fast.

 

You can use the cheesecake method of turning the oven off and allowing the pie to cool in the oven with the door cracked for an hour. But you will have to reduce the baking time significantly as it relies on residual heat to finish cooking the pie and not have it over baked. 

Don't Change Your Authenticity for Approval
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,667
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Problem With Pie Cracking on Top

Thanks, JaxsMom.  I'll give this a try.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,439
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: Problem With Pie Cracking on Top

@12andcounting A friend used to top her chocolate chess pies with home whipped cream topping.  That would cover it up if it would crack. 

Highlighted
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,667
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Problem With Pie Cracking on Top


@Pook wrote:

@12andcounting A friend used to top her chocolate chess pies with home whipped cream topping.  That would cover it up if it would crack. 


What a very good idea, Pook.  Thanks for the suggestion!!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,305
Registered: ‎06-08-2016

Re: Problem With Pie Cracking on Top

Use a bain marie in the oven

 

(water bath)

 

And you may be cooking it at too high a heat and for too long.

 

It's tricky, keep trying.

 


@12andcounting wrote:

I have a Chocolate Chess Pie recipe that my family loves -- but for the life of me I cannot get this pie not to crack on top. 

 

Do any of you ladies have a suggestion on how to stop this from happening?

 

Thanks in advance for any help.


 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,667
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Problem With Pie Cracking on Top


@software wrote:

Use a bain marie in the oven

 

(water bath)

 

And you may be cooking it at too high a heat and for too long.

 

It's tricky, keep trying.

 


Thanks, software.  I will definitely keep trying.  I appreciate all the suggestions.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,476
Registered: ‎02-27-2012

Re: Problem With Pie Cracking on Top

I agree with the water bath.

 

I always bake all my delicate pies and cheesecakes in a water bath and they never crack.

 

I use my turkey roaster.

 

Cover the bottom of the pie pan or cheesecake spring form pan with heavy duty foil and wrap it up the side.  Put it in the roaster.

 

Add VERY hot or boiling water until it reaches half way up the pie/cheesecake pan.

 

Just be careful taking it out of the oven!  Can be heavy and you don't want to spill that hot water!

 

I immediately remove from the water bath, remove the foil and let it cool on a rack completely.

 

Good luck!

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,667
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Problem With Pie Cracking on Top

Thank you so much, Respectlife!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,071
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: Problem With Pie Cracking on Top


@12andcounting wrote:

@Pook wrote:

@12andcounting A friend used to top her chocolate chess pies with home whipped cream topping.  That would cover it up if it would crack. 


What a very good idea, Pook.  Thanks for the suggestion!!


That's what I would do. 

I remember an old quote that goes something like:

An architect covers his mistakes with ivy, a cook covers his mistakes with sauce (or Cool Whip), and a doctor covers his mistakes with dirt.