Choosing my favorite baking tool was a difficult challenge. I thought first about the things that I use often like my favorite zester or my Silpat. Then I thought about things with emotional significance like my grandmother's cookie cutters or my mom's old sheet trays. But when it comes right down to it, there's only one favorite.
And for me it's the tool that I find both useful, practical, and beautiful. My french rolling pin is a true champion. I use it to roll out doughs for tarts and pies, cookies, and pizzas. I know its every little edge and nick, and my hands are so accustomed to the way it places pressure and rolls back and forth. I think the nicest thing about french rolling pins is that you can really roll out thin, uniform circles for pies and tarts and feel the dough being worked underneath you much more than if you're using a rolling pin with handles. You're working more closely with the dough, and when I'm making pies, there's something reassuring about this.
Related: Vermont Rolling Pins: Not Your Cookie Cutter Rolling Pins
(Image: Megan Gordon)
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It's the only rolling pin I own now. Used to have a traditional handle one, and grew up using my mom's heavy brick of a marble one, but nothing beats the tapered shape of my Frenchie.
Mine was a bit of a splurge, bought it for $35 from a wood worker at an art festival. It's solid cherry and so beautiful, 5 years later and not a single crack.
I only have one pin -- the french. It is all I ever need. :)
I don't really see the need for a rolling pin when I always have wine bottles!
Ohhh, @Maggie13: I like it!
Luv ur collection
A few years ago my dad turned french pins out of oak from our property, one for each of his daughters. At first I had a hard time adjusting to the tapered shape, but now I can't imagine returning to the handled style of pin! Due to the constraints of his lathe, it's shorter than some you see (only about 18 inches), but it works perfectly on my narrow countertops!
@Maggie13 I thought I was the only one! I do own a french rolling pin, but it's in storage in another state. A wine bottle works in a pinch.
@Jess13 - I also grew up using my dad's heavier than god marble rolling pin and was sorely disappointed when I grew up and didn't have one that was so heavy it rolled things thing for you. But I do love my french rolling pin- it's the only kind I can put some oomph into. Though it did confuse my boyfriend entirely when I moved in and he thought it was decor... *sigh*
I would have to agree on this. I have my grandmother's rolling pin, but my French one just really does the trick.