How can I prevent a single, unfilled pie crust from shrinking when baked?

Here are some tips to help:

• generously prick the unbaked crust with a fork after placing it in the pie pan
• fill the unbaked shell with dry rice or beans; remove them a few minutes before the baking time is over
• place an empty pie pan in the crust before baking
• avoid overstretching the pie crust when you are transferring it to the pie pan.

Barbara Willenberg, Nutritional Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia.