Pie Tip: How To Roll Out Pie Dough Without a Rolling Pin

Look at this bright tip from reader Donna (also the baker behind that Apple Cranberry Galette). Donna lives on a boat and therefore has a very limited set of baking equipment. But that doesn't keep her from rolling out pies!

Donna's tip? Use a chilled wine bottle. This is rather brilliant on more than one level. Yes, it means you don't need to own a rolling pin (saving a little space in your cupboards), but it's also good for the pie dough. You want to keep traditional pie dough as cold as possible all through the rolling-out and shaping process, so a chilled bottle of wine is a very good idea.

We would just suggest wiping down the bottle to remove any condensation; you don't want to add extra moisture to your dough.

• See Donna's tip here (and a recipe for blueberry pie): How To Roll a Pie Crust Without A Rolling Pin

(Image: Donna Diegel)

Comments (3)

I must admit, I have definitely done this. Yet another reason why it's always good to have a bottle of wine on hand! ;)

posted by UptownGirl on November 24th 2008 at 3:18pm
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I have done this too. Another tip, discovered while making a tart in the same rented cabin kitchen that lacked a rolling pin: if there are no pie weights to be found, wrap a few small rocks in foil and use those. (Obvi rinse and dry them first if they're really dirty . . .).

posted by Tiny Banquet on November 24th 2008 at 7:39pm
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I do this all the time and it works pretty well, but it a little tricker than a traditional rolling pin. And the dough sticks to the label sometimes so don't use a bottle of wine that you plan to give as a gift.

posted by CMcB on November 27th 2008 at 3:32pm
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