Pie crusts can be daunting. But don’t be discouraged, says Becky Grasley, the baker behind Los Angeles’ The Pie Hole pie shops and author of a new cookbook, “Pie is Messy” (Ten Speed Press, $28).

Hoosier Pie (milk, sugar, flour) I became intrigued with these old fashioned American”desperation” pies, made without fruit or nuts, relying on pantry staples. Then I heard through the ever effective ...

Italian prune plums are the start of this tart built on a lemon shortbread crust. (Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS) Fresh fruit is begging to be made into pie during summer. But so are some ...