How To Cut Lattice Pastry Without A Lattice Cutter

Last Updated on September 18, 2024 by Lori Walker

Creating a lattice pattern on desserts such as apple pies and cakes isn’t hard, even if fancy cutters aren’t at hand. While it seems challenging without special tools, it’s really pretty simple.

We’re here to tell you that you don’t need specialized tools to get the job done.

So, how do you cut lattice pastry without a lattice cutter? Read on.

Top 5 Ways To Cut Lattice Pastry Without A Lattice Cutter 

1. Use A Pizza Cutter  

It’s possible to make lattice pastry with the help of a pizza cutter. 

Start by rolling out the pastry until it’s about ⅛ inches thick and laying it flat against your work surface. Take your pizza cutter and carefully cut the pastry into strips around ¼ to ½ inches wide.

Take good care to cut all the strips in a uniform thickness. 

You can then arrange the strips by weaving them over and under one another in a lattice pattern on your pie. Trim off the excess pastry, and voila! 

But why does your pizza dough tear?

2. Try Using A Knife

If you don’t have a pizza cutter to do Step 1 with, a sharp knife will do just fine. Use the knife to cut the pastry into strips as per the instructions from the previous step.

We find it best to cut the strips between ¼ to ½ inches wide for a classic lattice look. 

Arrange the pastry strips in the lattice pattern and use your knife to cut off the excess pastry dangling on the pie edge. 

Also Read: 7 Easy Ways To Tell When Your Flan Is Done

3. Utilize A Fork

Using a fork to cut lattice pastry is a surprisingly easy process.

Start by lightly pressing the tines of the fork into the dough, creating a pattern of small indentations. Then, use a sharp knife to cut along the indentations carefully. 

One of the benefits of using a fork to cut lattice pastry is that it ensures even slices. [1] 

But what should you do with the leftover pastry cream?

4. Use Your Hands

You can also use your bare hands to create a lattice pattern, but we have to warn you that you probably won’t get the most precise results than if you were to use a sharp tool. 

You can start by measuring the thickness of the strips with the tips of your fingers and making an indentation. Then, grab the strip and tear it carefully until you have enough strips to turn into a lattice pattern. 

5. Try Cookie Cutters

If you have cookie cutters with straight edges, you can use them to cut strips to turn into a lattice pattern for your pies and pastries. 

Line the straight edge of the cookie cutter until you have the strips’ desired thickness (around ¼ to ½ inches). Press the cookie cutter carefully against the pastry until you have a nice strip, and repeat until you have enough strips to cover your pie. 

Find out if it is possible to return the cookies to the oven and rebake them here.

What’s A Lattice Cutter

A lattice cutter is an excellent tool for creating gorgeous and professional-looking lattice patterns. 

It is made with a metal rod with a handle at one end and a sharp metal blade at the other end, with the blade typically perforated with a series of small holes or slots.

The small holes create the lattice pattern when pressed into the dough.

You will have seen the lattice pattern before, as it is a classic look for pies and other desserts, and the lattice cutter makes it easy to create the perfect design.

You can quickly and easily cut the dough into strips with the lattice cutter to create the lattice pattern. 

Read: 6 Things You Need To Cut Brownies Without Destroying Them

Tips & Tricks When Working Without Lattice Cutter 

If you don’t have a lattice cutter, you can still make lattice pastry for cakes, pies, and other desserts. [2] 

“Some desserts, if you only use the spoon and not the eyes, you will not be able to taste them completely.”

– Fabrizio Caramagna, Author 

A pizza cutter is your best bet for making lattice pastry. Position the sharp edge of the pizza cutter to cut a strip of about ¼ to 1⁄2 inches of pastry.

Repeat this step until you have the right number of strips to make a lattice pattern for your pie. 

If you don’t have a pizza cutter, a really sharp knife will do the trick. Carefully cut strips of pastry with the tip of the sharp knife, taking care to make all the strips in a uniform thickness. 

It’s important to work slowly and carefully if you are making lattice pastry without a lattice cutter because the mark of a decorative lattice pastry is its precise edges. 

Check out these innovative ways to cut your pizza without a pizza cutter here.

FAQs 

In Summary 

Making lattice pastry without a lattice cutter may take a bit of practice, but with a little patience, you can easily create beautiful and professional-looking desserts.

All you need is a pizza cutter, a sharp knife, and a bit of creativity.

It’s also important to remember to work slowly and carefully because you will need to rely on your precision and steady hand to make the beautiful lattice pastry come to life. 

References: 

1. https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-25881,00.html 
2. https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/5-surprising-health-benefits-desserts.html