Pie vs Tart: What’s the difference between the two | The Times of India (2024)

When it comes to differentiating between pies and tarts, both these sweet dishes have an uncanny similarity. They are made in a similar way in a circular dish, look the same and even have a similar taste. If you too find it difficult to distinguish between the two, this article will help. Read on to know what exactly are pies and tarts, along with their differences.

Pie is basically a sweet or savoury dish prepared with a base crust, filling and a top crust. A pie crust is traditionally made of flour, salt, cold water and shortening. Butter can also be used as a substitute for shortening, as the goal is to make a crisp and flaky crust.The filling has a number of options from apples to strawberries and oranges to cranberries, you can pick the flavour of your choice for filling. Meat-based fillings are also used to make savoury pies. Pies are usually served in the same dish they are baked in.

Tart is a dessert which has a bottom crust and shallow sides. The crusts are made from pastry dough, which is usually made using flour, sugar, unsalted butter and ice cold water. The goal is to get a thick, firm and crumbly crust. The filling is directly added on the crust, which is later baked to make it settle down.

The main difference is that pies have an upper crust while tarts don’t. While pies look covered from all sides, tarts are open from the top and you can easily see the filling on top. Another difference lies in the base. While pies have a thin and smooth crust, tarts have a rather thick and crumbly crust which crumbles down when pieces are cut from the tart. Pies are served in the same dish they are made in, while tarts are often taken out and molded, if needed. Pies are more firm because of the crust layering at the top and bottom, while tarts are more delicate.

Ingredients required for crust- 2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tbsp salt, 2 sticks of unsalted butter and 7 tbsp ice cold water.

For filling- 2 cup peeled and sliced apples, 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder, 3 tbsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp butter.

Method-

• Prepare the filling by adding apple slices, lemon juice, water, brown sugar, cinnamon powder and cornstarch in a pan. Bring to a boil and then let it simmer till the water evaporates completely and the mixture thickens. Lastly add butter and mix.
• Now prepare the dough for the crust by placing flour, sugar and salt into a food processor. Add butter and let it pulse a few more times. Lastly add cold water and mix till small clumps are formed.
• Divide the dough into two parts and refrigerate.
• Now, roll out the dough and place it inside a baking tin. Make sure the sides of the tin are covered with the dough.
• Add the prepared filling and cover the pie with the leftover dough. You can either roll it out and cut strips from the dough or choose any other pattern of your choice.
• Bake the pie at 190°C for 40-45 minutes or until golden.

Ingredients required for the crust- ½ cup butter, ¼ cup confectioners' sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 cup white sugar.

For filling- 2 eggs, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp flour, 2 tsp grated lemon peel and ¼ teaspoon salt.

Method-

• Preheat the oven at 175 degrees C for 10 minutes.
• Mix butter, sugar flour in a bowl. Transfer the dough to a greased baking tin and press it down.
• Bake the crust in the oven for 10 minutes, until slightly golden.
• Now whisk white sugar, eggs, 2 tablespoons flour, lemon juice, lemon peel and salt in a bowl. Whisk until combined and then pour the mixture into the baked tart crust.
• Bake again for 20 minutes, until the filling is set.
• Let it cool down and serve.