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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    October 7, 2021

    Pie Crust

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    Every good pie starts with a delicious Pie Crust. This flaky, tender pie crust recipe is easy to roll out and pairs well with about any kind of pie!

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    an unbaked pie crust in a pie plate

    Last week, I decided to make a trip to my Grandma's to learn how to make pie crust. I've made pie crust before (many, many times), but they always turned out just okay. So I wanted to learn all of Grandma's tips and tricks!! And when both my grandmas use the exact same recipe (and make INCREDIBLE pies), you know it's gotta be good.

    Spending time with my grandparents was certainly the highlight of the trip, but coming home with many pie crusts ready to be filled (and the confidence and knowledge on how to make more) was a close second!

    ingredients and tools to make pie crust set out on a counter
    pie crust recipe
    a pair of hands working with the ingredients of pie crust dough  in a bowl

    Pie Crust Ingredients

    Thinking through each of these ingredients brings me back to my food science days! There's reasoning behind each and every ingredient and the combination here makes the best pie crust!

    • Flour - All-purpose flour works best. It produces the right amount of gluten, where-as a bread flour would create too much and a cake flour produce too little.
    • Sugar - Though it may seem like a lot of sugar would be needed (pie is typically a sweet dessert after-all), you don't want too much. Sugar interferes with gluten development, so while it helps create a tender pie, you don't want it so fragile that it's difficult to roll out.
    • Salt - Does it seem strange to add salt to a pie crust? Perhaps, but a little bit of salt won't make the crust taste salty, it'll just help boost the other flavors and enhance the pie.
    • Butter-Flavored Crisco - Crisco (shortening) or lard are my two favorite options for the fat in a pie crust as it'll make the pie crust flaky and tender. It also creates a crust that's easier to roll out and shape (vs butter that will harden too much when chilled).
    • Egg - Eggs are not a super common ingredient in pie crust, however I find that adding one egg (to a batch of 4-5 pie crusts) makes the crust more pliable and easier to work with.
    • Ice-Cold Water - The key word here is "ice-cold." You want the water cold, because if it isn't it'll begin to melt the shortening. When the shortening is melted, you won't have those nice pockets of fat in the crust that form the super flaky crust.
    • Vinegar - I could take or leave the vinegar (however I'm leaving it here because I'm not going to mess with the perfection of my grandma's recipe!). If you don't have any, you can certainly replace with an extra tablespoon of cold water. The theory of adding a little vinegar is that adding something acidic helps tenderize the crust, though I don't tend to notice much difference.
    ingredients needed for a pie crust

    How to Make A Pie Crust From Scratch

    Sound intimidating? It really isn't difficult - trust me on this one! If you start with the right ingredients and follow the picture by picture instructions below, you'll be just fine. And remember, there'll be a topping that covers any imperfections! 😉

    1. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl then add the butter-flavored Crisco.
    2. Use a pastry blender to cut the Crisco into the dry ingredients.
    3. The Crisco should now be in chunks around the size of a large pea. Chunks are good - these lovely pieces of fat will create a beautiful flaky crust!
    4. Combine the wet ingredients.
    5. Pour the wet ingredients into the center of the pie crust mixture.
    6. Use a fork to carefully incorporate the wet ingredients into the crust.
    7. Once the dough is starting to stick together (as the picture shows), stop mixing.
    8. Form a disc.
    9. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerated for 90 minutes.
    dry ingredients and butter in a glass bowl
    1.
    a pastry cutter cutting the butter and dry ingredients  together in a glass bowl
    2.
    combined butter and dry ingredients with chunks in it.
    3.
    wet ingredients in a liquid measuring cup
    4.
    wet ingredients being poured over the butter and dry ingredients.
    5.
    a fork mixing the wet ingredients into the dry
    6.
    almost combined pie crust ingredients in a glass bowl
    7.
    combined wet ingredients shaped into a disk, and sitting on the counter
    8.
    disk of pie crust dough wrapped in plastic wrap
    9.

    10. Generously flour the surface you'll be working on as well as the rolling pin and your hands.
    11. Roll out the pie crust, going slowly and rolling in each direction.
    12. Continue rolling the pie crust until it's about ⅛" thick and larger than the diameter of the pie plate you intend to use.
    13. Use the rolling pin to help transfer the crust onto the pie plate.
    14. Shift the crust into the pie plate and remove any excess edges (depending on how you'd like to decorate the outside of the pie crust - see below for ideas).
    15. Decorate the edges as desired.

    flour sprinkled on the counter
    10.
    a wooden rolling pin on top of rolled out dough
    11.
    a pie plate on top of rolled out pie crust dough
    12.
    rolled out pie curst being rolled onto a rolling pin.
    13.
    pie crust pressed into the pie plate
    14.
    pie crust crimped and ready for filling
    15.

    Pie Crust Designs

    I think this is one of the most fun parts about making a pie!! You can keep it super simple or use a more intricate design. The designs I've listed below will go from simple to more elaborate.

    decorating the edge of a pie crust with a fork

    Super Easy Fork Method

    For this one, you'll simply remove any excess crust (I just use a paring knife and go around the edge of the pan) and then press down gently with a fork to create lines. Simple, huh?!

    edge of a crimped pie crust
    birds eye view of crimped pie crust in a pie plate

    Crimped Edges

    For these edges, I keep about ½ an inch of crust on the outside of the pie plate and fold them under the crust. Then, I press the crust between my thumb and index finger on one hand and my index finger on the other hand. Hard to explain, but easy to do once you give it a try! Here's a video in case you're a more visual learner!

    a pipping tip being pushed onto the edge of a pie crust.
    a close up of scalloped edges of pie crust

    Scalloped Edges

    I love how easy this one is, yet gives a pretty, feminine vibe. First, you'll trim the edges of the pie crust right to the edge of the pan with a paring knife. Then, use a piping tip (or even the tip of a spoon) to form a scalloped edge.

    rolled out pie crust dough with circles cut out of it by the bottom of a pipping tip
    a row of dough circles going around the edged of a pie crust

    Cookie Cutter (or Piping Tip) Edge

    I tend to think that the size of a piping tip works great here! However, if you have a cookie cutter you'd like to use (such as small leaves in the fall or hearts around Valentine's Day), that would add such a fun, festive flair!

    Once you have the pieces cut out, you'll just brush a little water on the pie crust (think of this as the glue) and stick the cut out piece on top.

    three strands of pie dough crust being braided
    a close up of braided pie dough crust on the edge of the pie crust.

    Braided Crust

    This one takes a little bit of patience, but is SO pretty! I typically do four small braids and stick them onto the crust with water. It takes a little finagling to get them to lay just right, but it's so worth it!

    two stacked pie tins with the crusts in them wrapped in plastic wrap.
    wrapped pie tins and crust being put into a gallon freezer bag.

    How to Freeze Pie Crusts

    This recipe makes 4-5 pie crusts, each 9-10" in diameter (however I've also adjusted the amounts in the recipe notes if you'd prefer to just make one). I actually love that this recipe makes so many crusts, because they're great to have on hand when I'm wanting to make a pie!

    To freeze them, I wrap them in plastic wrap, stack them on each other and then place in a large freezer bag. They can be in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    When you're ready to use one, grab one from the stack and let it thaw out just enough to be able to decorate the edges. Then fill, top and bake!

    Can I Blind Bake this Pie Crust?

    Absolutely. If you're planning to make a pudding pie, lemon meringue pie, or something similar, you'll want to blind bake the crust (bake it without the filling). To blind bake, you'll use a fork to prick holes in the bottom of the pie crust. Then, place a piece of parchment paper over the crust and fill with pie crust pie weights or dry beans. This will keep the pie from shrinking and/or creating large air pockets on the bottom.

    Lastly, you'll bake in a 375° oven for 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. I highly encourage you to wait until the crust is completely cool before filling so it doesn't get soggy.

    finished pie crust ready to be filled

    A Few Fan-Favorite Pie Recipes

    Rhubarb Custard Pie - Tart rhubarb, creamy custard and a crunchy crumb topping....yes, please!

    Toll House Pie Bars - Use a homemade crust to make these buttery, chocolatey bars extra irresistible!! (Or make it the bars into a pie!)

    Pumpkin Streusel Pie - It's like a pumpkin pie but with a crisp, buttery topping. SO good!

    Blueberry Custard Pie - Though this recipe includes a press-in-pan crust, this pie crust recipe would work great, too!

    Oatmeal Pie - If you've never had this pie, you're missing out!! It's a pie they made way back when, when pecans were really pricy and oatmeal was cheap!

    Connect with Dance Around the Kitchen!

    Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook so you never miss a recipe!! And as always, thank you for following along with my blog, making my recipes, liking and sharing on social media and any other way you support Dance Around the Kitchen!  -Kelsey

    Pie Crust

    Pie Crust

    kelsey
    Every good pie starts with a delicious pie crust. This flaky, tender pie crust recipe is easy to roll out and pairs well with about any kind of pie!
    NOTE: This recipe makes 4-5 pie crusts. Recipe for just 1 is in the notes below!!
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time 15 mins
    Chill Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Dessert

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 c flour + additional for rolling out the pie crust
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 ¾ c butter-flavored Crisco
    • 1 egg
    • ½ c ice-cold water
    • 1 tablespoon vinegar

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt.
    • Use a pastry blender to cut in the butter-flavored Crisco until the pieces of Crisco are about the size of a large pea (and some smaller); set aside.
    • In a small dish, use a fork to combine the egg, water and vinegar.
    • Pour into the pie crust mixture and use a fork to gently work the wet ingredients into the flour/Crisco mixture. Try to refrain from stirring. Instead, use the fork to scoop to the bottom of the bowl and bring the dry ingredients up. This will keep the pie crust nice and flaky, rather than dense and tough.
    • Once large piece of dough are forming, gather the pie crust in your hands and gently form a disc.
    • Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 90 minutes.
    • Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and break into 4 equal pieces.
    • Generously flour your work surface as well as your hands and rolling pin.
    • Roll the dough into a large circle (you'll want it a couple inches wider in diameter than your pie plate).
    • Flour the rolling pie and gently roll the pie crust onto the rolling pin.
    • Unroll into the pie pan and adjust as needed. Gently press any broken pieces or cracks together.
    • Cut any excess pie crust off the edges (leave a little extra, depending on how you plan to decorate the edges of the crust).
    • Decorate the edges; repeat with the remaining 3 pie crusts. (I like to use foil pans and freeze the extras for later - details in post above!)
    • TO BLIND BAKE: Use a fork to prick holes in the bottom of the pie crust. Place a piece of parchment paper over the crust and fill with pie crust pie weights or dry beans. This will keep the pie from shrinking and/or creating large air pockets on the bottom. Bake in a 375° oven for 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Let cool completely before filling the crust.
    • TO BAKE WITH FILLING: Make the pie crust and follow the pie's recipe instructions for the filling and baking times.

    Notes

    Amounts for just 1 pie crust:
    • 1 c flour + additional for rolling out the pie crust
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 7 tablespoon butter-flavored Crisco
    • 1 tablespoon whisked egg (whisk and egg and use just 1 tbsp)
    • 2 tablespoon ice cold water
    • 1 teaspoon vinegar
    Keyword pie, pie crust
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @dancearoundthekitchen.kelsey and let me know how you liked it!

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    about kelsey

    About Kelsey

    Combining my love for food and family is a pretty easy calculation. Almost all family gatherings include food… After all, a party without cake is just a meeting right? Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kareem Salman says

      April 20, 2022 at 2:04 am

      5 stars
      The recipes are clear and simplyfied without any complicaions.

      thank you very much

      Reply
      • kelsey says

        May 04, 2022 at 3:22 pm

        I'm so glad this recipe was helpful for you!! I try my best to explain the recipe, yet not over-complicate it! 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a wife, mother and BFFs with my KitchenAid mixer, happy to bring you easy meals and decadent desserts! Welcome to my blog!

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