How To Make a Pie Crust Guests Will Rave About

Pie is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by people around the world for centuries. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice, one essential baking skill is making a great pie crust. The right crust is the perfect foundation for a sweet or savory pie and can be the difference between a pie that is savored and one that is quickly forgotten.

In this post, we’ll give you all the tips and tricks needed to make a delicious, flaky pie crust. We’ll share our favorite recipe and go over how to choose the right ingredients and tools so you can create a crust your family and friends will rave about. So, get your rolling pin ready and let’s get baking!

Gather the Ingredients

When making your pie crust, you’ll need a few key ingredients such as flour, salt, cold water, and cold butter or shortening.

For a single pie crust, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour
• ½ cup of cold butter or shortening
• 6 tablespoons of cold water
• ½ teaspoon of kosher salt

For a double crust, gather the following ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of cold butter or shortening
• 10 tablespoons of cold water
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt

If you want to add a twist to a classic crust recipe, try adding spices like nutmeg or cardamom or using other types of flour such as whole wheat flour or gluten-free baking mix. You can also substitute the butter or shortening for coconut oil or olive oil for a healthier (and vegan) pie crust.

Prepare the Ingredients

To get started, cut the butter or shortening into ½ inch cubes to help it incorporate better into the dough. Place the cubes in a bowl in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before adding them to the dough. The butter should still be very cold when you add it to the dry ingredients.

Mix the Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour and salt. One secret to a delicious, flaky crust is silky a smooth flour and salt mixture, so make sure there are no lumps before mixing in your wet ingredients.

Incorporate the Butter and Shortening

Once your dry ingredients are mixed and lumps have been removed, add the cold water and mix until combined. Next, add the cubed butter or shortening and mix until incorporated into a coarse meal texture with no large pieces remaining. If needed, add a tablespoon of water at a time until everything is evenly mixed together but not overly wet and sticky. Your dough should still be crumbly around the edges even when pressed together lightly with your fingers!

Refrigerate the Dough

Place your uncooked dough on wax paper and shape it into a disk about half an inch thick before storing it in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Leave it to chill for at least an hour before rolling it out to ensure it won’t stick too much to your surface. Chilling your dough will also allow for any flavorings such as nutmeg or cinnamon to blend in. If you’re making a variation of a classic pie crust, place additional ingredients such as chopped nuts or chocolate chips in the fridge separately in an airtight container to ensure they’re the same temperature as the dough.

Roll Out the Dough on a Lightly Floured Surface

Once your dough has chilled sufficiently, lightly flour one side and turn it out onto a flat surface such as a countertop or cutting board. Begin rolling from inward to outward, moving up from your center point with each roll outwards until the desired thickness is reached. Generally, around 1/8th inch thick is ideal! If necessary, lightly dust more flour onto the top of the dough depending on the moisture content.

If you’re incorporating additional ingredients into the dough, such as nuts or chocolate chips, evenly spread the desired quantity over the dough surface before rolling out the dough. It’s usually best to slightly press down on any added ingredients so they don’t fall off while rolling! Feel free to experiment with rolling out half batches at once interchanging between two surfaces if desired as this can help maintain the desired thickness more easily.

Pre-bake the Crust

Lightly coat the sides of a pie pan (ideally around 8-9 inches in diameter) with butter or an oil spray. Fit a single rolled-out pie crust into the dish, pressing around all the edges to eliminate any air bubbles between the pan and the crust. Trim away excess pieces by running a knife around the edges if needed. Prick the bottom area several times with a fork being careful not to pierce through the bottom layer. Bake the pie crust at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Once the pre-baked single crust has finished baking, pour the desired pie filling into the crust, being careful not to fill it past the lip of the dish. Then, bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for an additional 25 minutes or until the filling is bubbly across the surface! Allow the pie to cool completely before serving.

Conclusion

Making the perfect pie crust can be a challenge, but with the right tips and tricks, anyone can learn how to make a flaky crust that will be sure to impress your family and friends. From gathering the ingredients to baking the pie, we’ve covered every step you need to take to create a pie crust people will rave about. With a bit of practice, you’ll be sure to master the art of making all kinds of delicious pies with your homemade pie crust!