What does it mean to "blind bake" a crust?

Blind baking refers to the process of pre-baking a crust before adding any filling. This technique is essential for certain types of pies and tarts that require a fully cooked crust to prevent it from becoming soggy once the filling is added. By pre-baking, you ensure that the crust has a chance to firm up and develop flavor while achieving the desired crispness. This method is often used for delicate fillings or in recipes where the filling may not take long to bake, such as cream pies.

Employing this technique can greatly enhance the texture and overall quality of the final pastry, making it an important skill for a baker to master. The other options, while related to baking, do not accurately describe the process of blind baking. For example, baking with a filling would not involve pre-baking and would risk a soggy crust, while baking at a lower temperature and adding salt do not pertain to the technique itself.