docking

Definition

Pricking dough with a fork or specialized docker to prevent it from puffing up during baking. It's basically acupuncture for pie crusts.

Example Usage

Dock the puff pastry all over before baking, or it'll balloon up and ruin your carefully composed tart.

Origin

From the practice of creating 'docks' or small holes in the dough surface

Fun Fact

Commercial bakeries use spiked rollers called dough dockers that look like medieval torture devices but produce perfectly even holes.

Source: Baking and pastry technique

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