The best surfaces for rolling out dough that stop sticking and cut the mess. Learn what to roll dough on for cookies, pie crust and bread with confidence.
Rolling out dough shouldn’t be frustrating or leave your kitchen dusted in flour. If you’ve ever battled sticky dough, uneven surfaces or counters that just don’t cooperate, you’re in good company.
The good news is that the right surface makes all the difference.
Whether you’re rolling out pie pastry, pizza crust, cinnamon buns or rolled sugar cookies, the right surface can cut down on sticking and mess and make baking far more enjoyable.
Below I share the most reliable dough-rolling surfaces, based on years of home baking, family wisdom and advice from hundreds of bakers about what really works.
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Pastry Cloth and Rolling Pin Cover Set (my go-to)
A pastry cloth and rolling pin cover are hands down my favourite dough-rolling tool. I own two sets, one from my grandma and one from my mom. They’re antiques now, and I couldn’t live without them. The good news is you can still buy pastry cloth sets on Amazon. (Here’s a set similar to mine.)
What is a pastry cloth set? It’s a thick, canvas-like cloth laid on the counter or tabletop. You work flour into it by sprinkling it on and rubbing it in by hand, which gives you a non-stick surface for any type of dough. It comes with a rolling pin cover, a soft, flexible fabric that slips over the pin. (I use my mom’s wooden rolling pin.) You prep the cover by rubbing flour into it too, so the dough doesn’t stick as you roll.
How do you wash and store a pastry cloth set? It’s washable, but if no dough is stuck to it, there’s no need to wash it after every use. Shake it out, fold it and store it in a zip-top bag in the fridge or freezer between uses to prevent bacterial growth. I don’t wash mine until after 3 to 4 uses.
For more helpful information about pastry cloths, here’s a resource you might find useful:
- How to Wash Your Pastry Cloth
Video: Using a Pastry Cloth
I pulled together some clips from a sugar cookie class I taught on Instagram into one video. Watch how I use a pastry cloth to roll out sugar cookie dough here:
The same basic method works for all kinds of dough, including pastry, pizza dough and the dough for cinnamon rolls.
Tips for Rolling Dough Smoothly
Whatever surface you choose, start by sprinkling it lightly with flour before placing the dough on it.
As you roll, you may need more flour under and on top of the dough so it doesn’t stick to the surface or the rolling pin.
Check the video above to see how I roll out sugar cookie dough. (Side note: I roll mine with flour, but some people prefer powdered sugar since the dough is sweet.)
Other Dough-Rolling Tools, Tips and Tricks
Do you have a favourite dough-rolling tool I haven’t mentioned? Please share it in the comments below. We all love learning tried-and-true kitchen tips!
