Faux Pie
So what's the difference between a pie and a tart? Or a cobbler? The question has been asked since the creation of these desserts. Many have been confused as to what actually sets them apart, as the differences can be quite subtle. In truth, they are all really just variations of the beloved pie. They're sort of...Pie Adjacent.
A tart is a pastry dish, usually sweet, that is a type of pie with an open top not covered with pastry. The Tarte Tatin is a particular kind of "upside-down" tart, of apples, other fruit, or onions. Savory varieties include German Zwiebelkuchen (onion tart), or Swiss cheese tart made from Gruyere. Many of the same fillings used in pies are used in tarts; however rich fillings are more practical in a shallow tart than in a deep pie. All tarts are taken out of the pan and served free-standing.
Cobbler is a traditional dish in both the United States and the United Kingdom, although the meaning of the term is quite different in each country. In the United States, it is usually a dessert consisting of a fruit filling poured into a large baking dish over a batter that rises through when baking. The batter forms as a dumpling within the cobbler as well as a crust for the top. In the United Kingdom, a cobbler is usually a savory casserole covered in individual scones or biscuits.
A crisp is basically a deep-dish fruit dessert with the fruit mixture on the bottom and topped with a crispy crust. The topping usually consists of oats, butter and sugar. The crisp is a relatively new invention - the earliest reference can be traced back to 1924.
A crumble is just a crisp, but with a smoother (breadcrumb texture), topping.
A turnover is a sandwich-like sweet or savory meal or dessert made of a filling wrapped in dough - usually a puff pastry or pie dough. They can be either baked or fried and are made by placing the filling on a piece of dough, then folding it over and sealing it. Most fast-food "pies" are actually turnovers, as are Hot Pockets, calzones, and empanadas.
Pie vs. Tart vs. Cobbler…
What’s the Difference?
Pie is served in a dish. Tarts are free-standing. Cobblers have no distinct crust.