Why let your pie cool instead of eating it hot?
I like most of my foods nice and hot. Is there a culinary reason for waiting for your pie to cool before serving? Or is it just to prevent burns?
Best Answer
It definitely needs to cool to prevent burns - the filling is likely even above the boiling point of water, because it has so much sugar in it and has been in a hot oven. Eating it pleasantly warm is one thing, but it takes a long time to cool from over 100C/212F down to a nice warm/hot temperature somewhere around 50C/120F. (It's not like a cookie, which cools quickly enough so that you can (carefully) eat it fresh out of the oven. Pie has plenty of thermal mass.)
Besides that, most pies have a filling that will set as it cools. With a fruit pie, the sugary syrupy part will be pretty runny when it's hot, but it'll gel up a bit (like a jam - plenty of fruit and sugar) as it cools. And of course custard pies definitely need to cool to fully set!
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Quick Answer about "Why let your pie cool instead of eating it hot?"
It definitely needs to cool to prevent burns - the filling is likely even above the boiling point of water, because it has so much sugar in it and has been in a hot oven.Does pie need to cool before eating?
If your family prefers warm pie, cover the pie loosely with foil and warm in a preheated 300 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes before serving. Fruit pies should cool at least four hours before slicing; custard pies should cool for two hours before serving or being refrigerated.How long should pie cool before eating?
Let your pies and tarts cool for 20 minutes before serving so the ingredients have time to set. The best way to cool pies and tarts is on a cooling rack, because it allows air to circulate completely.Why must a pie be allowed to set and cool before it is served?
Cooking and storing pies safely is important because germs that cause food-borne illness can grow in pies kept at room temperature. They grow easily in foods made with milk and eggs. Refrigerate any pies containing pumpkin, custard, and/or cream.Should pies be eaten hot or cold?
But virtually every pie that CAN be heated is better off for it: cherry pie, apple pie, blueberry pie, Derby pie, mud pie, strawberry-rhubarb pie, even pecan pie. Pecan pie is fine at room temperature, sure.The Help 2011 - \
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