Tala Ceramic Baking Beans - Reusable Heat Resistant Blind Weights - Oven Beads for Pies, Tarts, and Pastry Crusts - Baking Accessories - Approx. 700g

Product Information

You can find them in any hardware store, and they’re a lot cheaper than buying special baking beans.

Small steel balls or other metal objects have the added advantage of holding and then radiating heat to the crust, which can help to give a more even bake. They can be used in place of traditional blind baking beans by simply placing them on top of your pie dough before baking. Nuts work well as an alternative to baking beans because they provide good weight and texture, which will help keep your crust from shrinking in on itself and becoming soggy. Blind baking doesn’t need to be difficult, and there are several different methods that you can try. The recipe itself will likely give you an indication of the times and temperatures required, or the degree to which the crust should be baked.

If you’re not familiar with these funny-named objects, they’re basically weights used when blind baking—that is, baking a crust without filling it yet. Blind baking is essentially the pre-baking of a pie or tart crust without the filling. It can be either partially or fully baked depending upon the recipe. The filling is then added to the pre-baked crust and baked further if required. Or perhaps you do not want to bake your filling at all – from chocolate pudding to fresh fruit tarts, there are many occasions when a cold filling is added to a pre-baked crust. Can I skip blind baking?

This makes them ideal for blind baking, as they will evenly distribute heat and prevent the crust from puffing up or shrinking. In this way, the pastry can be either fully baked or partially baked before the filling is added. Why should I blind bake? While raisins may seem like an unlikely substitute for baking beans, they actually work really well because they absorb moisture from the oven, helping your crust stay crispier on top. Trim off any excess pastry that’s hanging over the edges of the tin. You can use your rolling pin to help you do this – simply press it down on the edges so the excess is sliced off. Shrinkage of the sides as they bake can also be an issue, and the sides even have a tendency to fall in or collapse. Pie weights solve these problems by filling the crust during blind baking and holding it in place.All you need to do is line your pie dish with some parchment paper and pour in a layer of uncooked rice. Metal chains are a great DIY option for those looking to save some money on their baking accessories. Lima beans are an excellent substitute for baking beans because they are the perfect size and shape to fit in the bottom of a pie dish.