Pie Classes
One Pie Lesson and You’ll Never Fear Dough Again
From her start as “pie baker to the stars” at Malibu Kitchen in California back in 2001, Beth’s pie expertise has expanded far beyond that little seaside cafe.
The author of the bestselling cookbook, “Ms. American Pie: Buttery Good Pie Recipes and Bold Tales from the American Gothic House” and the memoir “Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Pie,” Beth has taught pie-making to celebs like Marie Osmond, Cristina Ferrare, and Eve Plumb (aka “Jan Brady”).
She has taught classes to a wide range of groups, including Japanese businesspeople in Tokyo, kids in a South African township, grieving residents of Newtown, Connecticut (after the Sandy Hook shooting), and classrooms full of at-risk/at-promise high school kids, to name a few. She has done countless pie demos: at the National Pie Championships, at bookstores and libraries during her book tours, and many times on live television.
Beth’s teaching style will alleviate your fear of making dough, help you overcome your illusion of perfection (“Pie should look homemade!” she insists), engage all your senses through the tactile baking experience, and build your confidence.
During her round-the-world trip of 2015, she taught pie classes in New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, India, Lebanon, Switzerland, Germany and Hungary as a way to promote good will and encourage cultural understanding. During that journey, she made 75 pies for the American Embassy’s 4th of July Party in Bangkok, and delivered a dozen pies to a Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon. By taking her class you will hear stories about her travels as well as about her adventures living in — and baking in — the American Gothic House, where she lived and ran the Pitchfork Pie Stand from 2010 to 2014.
Group Classes
Yes, there is still a pandemic, but you can still take a class online. Thank goodness for Zoom!
Check back here for dates, or organize your own group (minimum 5 participants). The four-hour session includes hands-on instruction, ingredients, and baking time. There is time for personal discussion over coffee and a slice of pie. Each person leaves with their own finished large pie (usually apple) to take home and share.
And you may end up with a mini pie or two, using your leftover ingredients. Beth will have her books available for purchase and signing. Great for families, birthdays, book clubs, and bridal showers. A pie class is also an ideal team-building workshop for your company or organization.
The class is best suited for ages 5 and up. The normal $100 per person (including all ingredients) is flexible given classes are currently online. Scholarships and gift certificates available.
Pie Demo
If you have a large group event (like a trade show, book fair, corporate function) but no oven to bake pies, Beth can do a demo of how to make a pie from scratch, using her easy-to-learn, no-fuss techniques and shortcuts. One-hour session, includes a talk about her pie endeavors and how pie can make the world a better place. Flat rate, plus travel fee.
Book Club
How about doing a pie class with your book club? It’s the same four-hour session as the group class, but with some added discussion and Q&A about Beth’s books and the writing process.
– Marie Osmond gets a pie lesson from Beth, on “Marie!” on the Hallmark Channel.
Private Pie Class
Don’t have enough people for a group, but still want a class? Beth can teach you in your home or other baking-friendly space for one to four participants. Fee based on number of participants and location.
Charity Classes/Donations
One of the most important aspects of pie is sharing. Therefore, Beth often donates her time to teach at-risk/at-promise youth, grief groups, and others. Please contact for further information.
Email [email protected] for dates and availability, or to request a class.
Making Pie is as…Well, Easy as Pie!
Butter or lard? How long do I knead the dough? How many apples? Flour or cornstarch to thicken? How do I keep the dough from sticking or cracking? How do you get that shiny glaze on top? How do I know when my pie is done? These are some of the many questions Howard answers in her pie lessons. She will demystify the art of making dough, help you become a whiz at rolling out a thin crust, and you will leave with your confidence so buoyed you will never, ever buy that pre-made stuff from the store again!
Remember, pie is not about perfection! Pie should look homemade. So just go for it and have fun.
Three tips for easy dough: 1) Use enough water so your dough is pliable (dry dough cracks and is hard to roll), 2) Don’t overwork the dough or it will become too tough to roll, 3) Use flour liberally when rolling to keep it from sticking.
Beth’s Apple Pie Recipe
Basic Pie Crust
2-1/2 cups flour (white all-purpose)
1/2 cup butter, chilled
1/2 cup Crisco (or other brand of vegetable shortening)
Dash of salt
Ice water (fill one cup but use only enough to moisten dough)
In a deep bowl, work the butter and shortening into the flour with your hands until you see marble-sized lumps form. Think mixed nuts, but no bigger than almonds. Add ice water a little at a time, sort of “fluffing” the flour. Keep your movements light, as if you are tossing dressing into a salad with your hands. When the dough feels moistened enough, do a “squeeze test” and when it holds together you’re done. Do not overwork the dough! It takes very little time and you’ll be tempted to keep touching it, but don’t! Now divide the dough in two, form each half into a disk shape and roll flat and thin to fit your pie dish. Sprinkle flour under and on top of your dough, and keep rolling surface and pin free from gunk to keep dough from sticking. Trim excess dough to about 1 inch from the dish edge with a scissors.
Apple Filling
7 large Granny Smith apples, peeled (depending on size of apple & size of pie dish, have about 3 lbs. available)
*It’s also okay to use a variety of apples, try Braeburn and Royal Gala. Do not use Fuji or Delicious, they are too juicy and have no taste. Approximate rule of thumb is 3 pounds of fruit per pie.
3/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons flour
Dash of salt
1 to 2 teaspoons cinnamon (depending on how much you like)
1 tablespoon butter (put dollop on top before covering with top crust)
1 beaten egg (you won’t use all of it, just enough to brush on pie before baking)
Slice half of the apples directly into the pie, arranging to remove extra space between slices. Cover with half of your other ingredients (sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt), then slice the remaining apples and cover with second half of ingredients. Add dollop of butter on top, cover with top crust, seal and crimp edges, then brush with beaten egg (this gives the pie a nice golden brown shine; be careful not to let egg pool in crevices.) Use a knife to poke vent holes in the top (get creative here with a pattern), then bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn oven down to 375 degrees and bake for another 30 to 40 minutes until juice bubbles. Keep an eye on it as it bakes. If it gets too brown turn down the temperature. To be sure it’s done, poke with a knife to make sure apples have softened. Do not over bake or apples will turn mushy.
For helpful troubleshooting pie tips see Beth’s article on Culinate.com.
For video instruction check out The World Needs More Pie YouTube page.
Testimonials to Howard’s Pie Lessons
“My husband now thinks I’m a domestic goddess. After eating the pie I brought home from you class he couldn’t keep his hands off me. Thanks for the inspiration!” — Pie class student, summer 2015
“This was one of the most enjoyable afternoons I’ve had in ages — and the best looking pie I’ve ever made! Thanks!” — Oma Blaise Ford, Senior Deputy Editor/Home Design, Better Homes and Gardens
“I had a great time last night. You did an excellent job. I’d much rather be baking pie this morning than working on a 50-slide Powerpoint presentation.” — Julia Beck, Marketing Manager, Daimler/Mercedes Benz
“My sister was so impressed with my pie, I may make another tonight for my friend who just had a baby. Your pie making lessons are having a ‘ripple effect’ on the world.” — Jennifer Anderson, Senior Reporter, Portland Tribune Newspaper.
“My pie is DELICIOUS – if I do say so myself. Thanks for the great evening and for the introduction to the world of pie.” — Susanne Flother, Co-founder, Somnium Mattresses
“I wanted to thank you for taking the time and teaching us ladies how to bake. You are absolutely wonderful.” — Eliana Pianko, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
“It really was a fun party and I found it incredibly relaxing — a nice escape from daily life!” — Frauke Venema, HR Manager, Daimler AG
“Best apple pie I ever tasted — and I made it myself!” — Melissa Forman, TV producer
– As seen on Home & Family TV, on the Hallmark Channel. Beth makes pie with Cristina Ferrare.