The Difference Between Pies and Tarts (2024)

Easy as Pie? We explain the difference between Pies, Crumbles, Cobblers, Tarts and more!

From Pies to Galettes, there are many delicious treats to serve your guests after dinner. But what makes them all different? We’ve broken it down for you!

Pies – This classic dish has a familiar and simple equation: bottom pie crust + filling + top pie crust = delicious pie. While the top pie crust is optional, when used it is pinched together with the bottom crust to make a seal.

PiesTarts – If you’ve ever thought a tart was pie, you’re forgiven because they’re incredibly similar. The main difference is that tarts only have a bottom crust, and the crust is much thicker than a pie crust.

Galettes – This is basically a pie made without using a pie dish, but because that would be too simple galettes can be made with any type of pastry dough. To make, you flatten your dough and pile your fruit filling in the centre leave about 1-2 inches of space between the filling and the edge of the pasty. Then you fold the edges up and just slightly on top of the filling to make a rustic looking pie crust. The top of the filling stays exposed.

Crumbles – If you’re looking for an easy alternative to pie try a crumble. There is no pie crust in a crumble which cuts down your prep time when making from scratch. Crumbles also have a streusel like topping

Crisps – No crisps and crumbles are not the same thing, but if it wasn’t for their topping they would be. Instead of the crumbles streusel topping, a crisp is topped with a mixture of: oats, flour, sugar and butter. Some variations call for the addition of nuts and spices to the topping as well. This dessert is baked until the topping is, like its name, crisp.

Cobblers – Similar to a crumble, a cobbler doesn’t have a bottom crust. Instead the fruit filling is put in a baking dish and topped with biscuit dough to form a top crust.

Grunts – These are basically a cobbler, except instead of being baked in an oven they’re cooked on the stovetop. When you make one, you’ll know how this dessert earned its name. As steam escapes from biscuit crust it makes a grunting noise.

Now that we’ve got that straightened out, we’re muddying the waters with our hybrid dessert for Caramel Apple Crumble Pie. Is it a pie or a crumble? You decide!

Get Caramel Apple Crumble Pie Recipe

The Difference Between Pies and Tarts (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between Pies and Tarts? ›

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.

Are pies and tarts the same? ›

The main difference is that tarts only have a bottom crust, and the crust is much thicker than a pie crust.

What is the difference between a pie dish and a tart dish? ›

In French cooking we make a difference between a tart pan (for quiches or fruit tarts with no filling) and a pie pan (for American style pies and cakes such as the NY cheesecake). You will find both sizes here: the tart pan is wider and shallow. The pie dish is smaller but deeper.

What makes it a tart? ›

A tart is a baked dish consisting of a filling over a pastry base with an open top not covered with pastry. The pastry is usually shortcrust pastry; the filling may be sweet or savoury, though modern tarts are usually fruit-based, sometimes with custard.

Why is pumpkin pie pie and not a tart? ›

A pumpkin tart isn't too different from a pumpkin pie when it comes to the filling, but one huge distinction is that the former doesn't require making pie dough - something that a lot of people struggle with since it's not only time consuming, but also difficult to get right (the pie dough can be too dry, too wet, hard ...

Is cheesecake a pie or a tart? ›

Cheesecake is Technically a Tart

The cheesecake base is composed of a type of pastry shell that can sit at the base of the dessert or surround it on three sides. The top of a cheesecake can be decorated with fresh fruit, whipped cream, pecans, cookies, fruit sauce, or chocolate syrup.

Is pizza a pie or a tart? ›

In America, pizzas are considered a pie. This definition refers to the pie being made of tomato sauce, cheese, and meat and then covered with dough. The name comes from the ingredients layered on top of each other. Then, the dough is added on top.

Can you bake a pie in a tart dish? ›

Super easy to make with the fluted edge, and the best pastry to filling ratio.

What is a pie without a base called? ›

Deep-dish pies do not have a bottom crust—just a single crust on the top. They're often called pot pies when made with savory fillings. 5. Hand pies are pastry pockets baked on a baking sheet rather than in a pie dish.

Can I use a pie pan instead of a tart pan? ›

I started off making tarts in a pie pan. It is a workable substitution, but now that I have tart pans of my own, I have to admit that it's much better. Getting the tart part out is so much simpler, and it ends up with lovely scalloped edges.

What are the four types of tarts? ›

There are four main types of tarts: fruit tarts, custard tarts, chocolate tarts, and savory tarts.

Is a quiche a pie? ›

Quiche is a pie that originated in northeastern France in the Alsace-Lorraine region. The key to a great quiche is a flaky crust and a creamy custard filling that holds a cut edge.

Why are they called tarts? ›

Some have suggested that it is an alteration (influenced by medieval Latin tartarum, 'Tatar') of Old French torte, ancestor of modern French tourte, a round savoury or sweet pie or tart.

Why isn't it called crack pie anymore? ›

Crack Pie is a butter pie with an oat crust. The change comes after continued controversy, with the name's reported allusion to the addictive nature of crack cocaine, which decimated mostly African-American communities in the 1980s and '90s.

What is a tart vs pie? ›

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.

Why is pie called cobbler? ›

The origin of the name cobbler, recorded from 1859, is uncertain: it may be related to the archaic word cobeler, meaning "wooden bowl", or the term may be due to the topping having the visual appearance of a 'cobbled' stone pathway.

Can you use a tart dish for a pie? ›

Super easy to make with the fluted edge, and the best pastry to filling ratio.

What is British slang for tart? ›

tart noun (WOMAN)

[ C ] mainly UK very informal disapproving. a woman who intentionally wears the type of clothes and make-up that attract sexual attention in a way that is too obvious. [ C ] old-fashioned slang. a female prostitute.

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