Hi friends, Courtney here! Over the past year I’ve discovered a real love for making pies. I baked my first pie last Thanksgiving and have been experimenting with different styles and themes ever since. I’m not a professional baker, but I enjoy the creative process — and this woodland-themed pie was one of my favorites.
I wanted to share this pie as a bit of fall baking inspiration. If you enjoy seasonal details and a touch of whimsy on top of a classic dessert, this idea might spark your next baking project.
I make this pie gluten-free and vegan. I follow a simple pie recipe and swap in a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour to keep it gluten-free — the crust turns out crisp and delicious when handled with care.
Gluten-free dough can be more delicate, so I find tools like plunger-style pie crust cutters especially helpful. Large cookie cutters can be trickier because the dough needs extra support, but smaller cutters with plungers make cutting and transferring shapes much easier. I also love the embossed detail these cutters add to the crust — it makes the pie extra charming.
A few practical tips from my experience: chill your dough well before cutting shapes, work on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking, and consider using a cooled baking sheet to support cutouts while transferring them to the pie. These small steps help keep gluten-free crusts from breaking apart and improve the overall bake.
Enjoy making your own version of this woodland pie. It’s a fun way to celebrate autumn — perfect for sharing with family and friends or for a cozy weekend baking session.
Sources & items used
Animal-shaped crust cutters and plunger-style cutters (great for detailed shapes)
A botanical green tea towel for styling
A decorative apple pie plate
Favorite mugs for serving
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