The Perfect Pie Crust Recipe (2024)

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The Perfect Pie Crust Recipe

November 16, 2016/Food/

Are you looking for the best and most delicious pie crust recipe on the net? I found, made, baked and ate the best tasting pie crust I have ever eaten. There is no exaggeration and no affiliate links for me to say that either. I am sharing this because I want you all to have the best pie crust this coming holiday season.

The best thing about this recipe is it’s just 4 ingredients. So if you mess up the first time you can easily and cheaply try again. it bakes up beautifully golden and tender and flaky.It makes the perfect base for any of your one crust pies.And even the least-experienced of bakers can manage this easy and forgiving crust.

Picture this: a golden, flaky crust that shatters at the mere touch of your fork, revealing a tender, buttery interior that cradles the luscious filling within. If you’ve ever dreamed of mastering the art of pie-making, your journey begins with the cornerstone of every great pie – the perfect pie crust.

Today, we’re delving into the secrets and intricacies of crafting a flawless pie crust that will elevate your baking prowess to new heights. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your friends and family begging for more!

The Essentials of a Perfect Pie Crust

Ingredients

The foundation of any exceptional pie crust lies in the quality of its ingredients. Gather the following essentials:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Ice water (approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup)

The Butter Factor

Butter is the unsung hero of a perfect pie crust. Opt for high-quality, cold unsalted butter, and make sure to cube it before incorporating it into the flour mixture. The key here is to keep the butter cold, ensuring it creates those delightful pockets of flakiness as it melts in the oven.

Mastering the Technique

The Art of Blending

Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to blend the ingredients. The goal is to achieve a coarse, crumbly texture with pea-sized butter chunks dispersed throughout the mixture.

Adding the Liquid Magic

The secret to a perfect pie crust lies in the balance of moisture. Gradually add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Stop when the dough just comes together – you want it moist enough to hold its shape but not overly sticky.

The Chilling Revelation

Patience is a Virtue

Once your dough has come together, resist the temptation to dive straight into rolling it out. Instead, shape it into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step allows the gluten to relax, ensuring a tender crust.

The Roll Call

Flour Power

When it’s time to roll out your chilled dough, liberally flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch, ensuring even distribution for a uniform bake.

The Folding Technique

For an extra layer of flakiness, consider employing the folding technique. Roll out the dough, fold it in half, and then roll it out again. Repeat this process a couple of times, marveling at the increasing number of buttery layers forming within.

Bringing It All Together

Crimping and Fluting

The finishing touch to your pie crust involves crimping or fluting the edges. Use your fingers or a fork to create a decorative pattern, adding that final touch of elegance to your masterpiece.

Blind Baking Wisdom

Depending on your pie recipe, blind baking (pre-baking the crust) may be required. To prevent the crust from puffing up, line it with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans before baking.

Congratulations! You’ve unlocked the secrets to crafting the perfect pie crust – a delicate dance of quality ingredients, meticulous technique, and a dash of patience. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is your ticket to pie perfection. Get ready to dazzle your senses and those of your loved ones with a pie crust that’s not just a vessel for delicious fillings but a work of art in itself. Happy baking!

Video Recipe:

The Perfect Pie Crust Recipe (3)

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Tags: Food

The Perfect Pie Crust Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the number 2 most important thing when making pie crust? ›

#2—Add cold water

Like the fat, the water should be ice cold. Before you start making the dough, fill a glass with ice and water. Add the ice water gradually to the dough, about one tablespoon or so at a time, and stop when the dough is just moist enough to hold together when a handful is squeezed.

Is pie crust better with butter or Crisco? ›

My preferred fat for pie crusts will always be butter. To me, it is all about flavor, and no other fat gives flavor to a crust like butter does. Other fats, even though they have great pros, lack flavor,” De Sa Martins said. “The more flavorful the butter, the more flavor your pie crust will have,” Huntsberger added.

What are the 5 tips for pie perfection? ›

5 Tips To Make The Perfect Pie, From America's Test Kitchen
  1. Measure By Weight, Not Volume.
  2. Don't Overwork Your Pie Dough.
  3. Keep The Dough Cool.
  4. Pretreat The Filling (And The Crust)
  5. Be Patient Before Serving.
Nov 26, 2019

What not to do when making pie crust? ›

Below are six common mistakes when making a homemade pie crust and some helpful solutions to avoid them.
  1. The ingredients are too warm. ...
  2. The pie dough is overworked from excessive mixing or rolling. ...
  3. The pie dough isn't given enough time to relax and chill. ...
  4. The pie dough is shrinking down the sides of the pan.
Oct 18, 2022

What does adding vinegar to your pie crust do? ›

Apple cider vinegar is added to relax the gluten proteins in your dough and tenderize it.

What happens if you use milk instead of water in pie crust? ›

Some bakers use milk or buttermilk in their pie crust. Thanks to their milk solids, both will help crust brown and add a bit of tenderness. But the classic liquid in pie crust is water — ice water, to be precise.

What kind of flour is best for pie crust? ›

Flour: For a tender crust, choose a low-protein flour. Pastry flour, with a protein content of about 8-10%, ranks between all-purpose flour and cake flour. All-purpose flour works just fine for pie crusts, while cake flour might lack enough protein to form a workable, elastic dough.

What is the most important rule in making a pie crust? ›

Keep the Butter Cold

With this goal in mind, the cardinal rule of pie crusts is to keep things as cold as possible.

What happens if you use too much Crisco in pie crust? ›

I have done this! When there is too much fat in the pie crust, it crumbles. There isn't enough flour to form the flakes, so the extra fat just melts as it bakes and the pie crust falls apart as you cut into it.

What are 2 disadvantages of using all butter in pie crust? ›

The cons: Butter can be harder to work with than lard or shortening because of its lower melting point, so the dough temperature has to be just right. If it gets too warm, it will be too soft to handle and will tear easily.

What fat makes the flakiest pie crust? ›

Vegetable Shortening

As shortening is able to withstand higher temperatures and does not melt easily, it creates flaky and crisp yet tender pie crusts when used alone or in combination with butter.

What is the cardinal rule of pie dough making? ›

The cardinal rules of pie dough: Keep it cold, work fast, and don't overwork your dough.

How long should you chill a pie before baking? ›

Tip: At this point, it helps to return the pie to the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes; this chills the fat, which ultimately increases the crust's flakiness and helps the crimp hold its shape.

How long should you chill pie dough before rolling out? ›

Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, or up to overnight. Tip: Chilling hardens the fat in the dough, which will help the crust maintain its structure as it bakes. And the short rest before rolling relaxes the dough's gluten, helping prevent a tough crust.

Should you chill pie dough before rolling it out? ›

I always chill my dough for at least 2 hours before rolling out, and then chill again for at least 1 hour after shaping in the pie pan. There are undoubtedly faster methods out there, but this is what I've found to work best for me in terms of maintaining pretty crimps and the overall shape of the crust.

What is the secret to crispy bottom pie crust? ›

Sprinkle dried breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, or other types of cereal, on the bottom crust before filling and baking in the oven.

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