Shaping Tuiles in the Pliable Window

A thin baked tuile is mouldable for only a short moment after it leaves the oven - often around 15 seconds - before it cools, crisps and cracks. Bake one tray at a time, have your shaping form (a curved tin, dowel or stencil) ready before the timer ends, and lift and drape each tuile the instant it comes out. Always bake a few spares: even practised hands lose some to the narrow window. If a tuile sets before you shape it, warm it briefly to soften.