Flaky Pie Crust

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
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I've slowly perfected Flaky Pie Crust dough since the early years of marriage. 

There's nothing like a flaky pie crust that shatters with the touch of a fork.

I've tried different variations over the years like using the food processor but I find a pastry cutter works best, it leaves a lot more control in cutting in the fat. I also have tried all butter, and all shortening.
 I find the shortening seems to make the crust tender but lacks the wonderful flavor the butter imparts on the dough. 

For a flaky, tender, and flavorful crust I find half shortening, and half butter makes a tasty flaky crust.

Just in case you need a filling for your pie make sure to check out Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, Skinny Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Cream Pie, Caramely Apple Pie with Crunch Topping and of course the infamous Banana Cream Pie.

I truly  pie!

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In a large bowl combine:
  • 2 1/2cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 tablespoon Powdered Sugar (Omit Sugar For Savory Crust)


Using a pastry cutter, cut in 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons Shortening into flour mixture, until shortening is the size of small pebbles. 

Add 1/2 cup Cold Butter cut into small pieces and cut with pastry cutter into flour/shortening mixture making sure to stir flour from sides and bottom of bowl for even distribution until butter is pea sized. 

Flaky-Pie-Crust-Coarse-Crumbs.jpg

When done mixture will look like coarse crumbs with some pea sized pieces of butter.

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Slowly drizzle in 1/3 cup water while using a fork to toss/fluff the butter/flour mixture as needed to moisten dough evenly. Add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until mixture resembles picture 2, is evenly moistened and dough sticks together.

(The biggest part of this step is not to over work the dough or add too much water. Too much water will make the dough tough. Just enough water for the dough to stick together.)

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Divide the pie dough in two and wrap in plastic wrap.

I prefer to refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to rolling. It makes the dough easier to handle.

(If dough is chilled over night allow dough to warm until cold but pliable before rolling.)

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Place 2 pieces of plastic wrap in an X on work surface. Place dough on X and cover with an additional piece of plastic wrap. Roll dough in a circle 4 inches wider then pan.

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For a single crust pie: fit dough in pie pan and trim dough leaving a 1" over hang.

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For a single crust pie: tuck overhanging dough underneath to form a rim. Flute edge using fingers or crimp using a fork. 

Use for desired recipe.

You might also love these other Pie Crust Recipes:



Flaky Pie Crust, Pie Crust, Flaky Pie Crust Recipe, Recipe, Pie Crust Recipe, Thanksgiving Pie Crust, Dessert,
Flaky Pie Crust, Pie Crust, Pie Crust Recipes
American
Yield: 10
Author:

Flaky Pie Crust

How to make an easy Perfectly Flaky Pie Crust like Grandma use to make from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch.
5 out of 5 based on 5 user ratings
prep time: 15 Mcook time: total time: 15 M

ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tablespoon Powdered Sugar (Omit For Savory Crust)
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup +2 tablespoons Shortening
  • 1/2 cup Cold Butter, Cut Into Small Pieces
  • 1/3 cup Cold Water, Plus More As Needed

instructions:

How to cook Flaky Pie Crust

  1. In a large bowl combine flour, powdered sugar, and sea salt.
  2. Add shortening, and cut into flour mixture using a pastry cutter, until shortening is the size of small pebbles.
  3. Cut butter into shortening/flour mixture stirring the sides, and bottom of bowl for even distribution, until butter is pea sized. Mixture will look like coarse crumbs with pea sized bits of butter.
  4. Slowly drizzle in 1/3 cup water while using a fork to toss/fluff the butter/flour mixture as needed to moisten dough evenly. Add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until dough is evenly moistened, and dough sticks together. (The biggest part of this step is not to over work the dough or add too much water. Too much water will make the dough tough. Add just enough water for the dough to stick together.)
  5. Divide the pie dough in two and wrap in plastic wrap.
  6. Iprefer to refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to rolling. It makes the dough easier to handle. If dough is chilled overnight allow dough to warm until cold but pliable before rolling.
  7. Place 2 pieces of plastic wrap in an X on work surface. Place dough on X and cover with an additional piece of plastic wrap. Roll dough in a circle 4 inches wider then pan.
  8. For a single crust pie: fit dough in pie pan and trim dough leaving a 1" over hang.
  9. For a single crust pie: tuck overhanging dough underneath to form a rim. Flute edge using fingers or crimp using a fork.
  10. Use for desired recipe.
Calories
291.48
Fat (grams)
29.77
Sat. Fat (grams)
14.10
Carbs (grams)
5.51
Fiber (grams)
0.17
Net carbs
5.34
Sugar (grams)
0.74
Protein (grams)
0.74
Sodium (milligrams)
284.92
Cholesterol (grams)
35.88
Calories are estimated.
Created using The Recipes Generator

How to make an easy Perfectly Flaky Pie Crust like Grandma use to make from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch.

How to make an easy Perfectly Flaky Pie Crust like Grandma use to make from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch.


14 comments

  1. Your pie crust looks perfect! I just pinned the recipe!
    Blessings,
    Leslie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Delicious pie crust, I will use this recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely pie crust! Thanx for sharing!!
    http://www.rita-bose-cooking.com/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Serena, Your crust is beautiful! Is there a righteous jealousy?? Blessings!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh yum! Yes I'm still working on my pie crust recipe. I definitely like the idea of half shortening (or lard) and butter - have you tried the vodka trick? What do you think about it if you have?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just made a apple pie using your recipe for the crust! Best crust Ever! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What oven temperature and how long to bake this pie? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For a single crust pie:Line a 9" pie pan with dough. Flute the edge and poke all over with a fork including the sides to prevent bubbles. Line with heavy foil being careful not to cover the edge.
      Place into a 450 degree preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes until crust is set and no longer dough.Remove foil and bake another 6-10 minutes until light brown. Watch carefully to make sure crust doesn't burn.
      For a double crust pie it will depend on the filling.

      Delete
  8. I just made this recipe, having failed at my go to recipe for the past 6 months lol. Will let you know how it turns out! I don't have a pastry cutter so I did use the food processor gently. Chilling now. And now to decide, Apple, your chocolate cream pie, or pumpkin? Decisions Decisions! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi. This Pie crust looks great but shortening isn't easily available where I live so is there a substitute for it or can I use just butter? Will my crust still be flaky?

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  10. Hi! Lard could be used instead. A fully butter crust will be full of flavor but the shortening adds a tenderness from the high level of fat. If you are able to purchase sour cream this Sour Cream Pie Crust is my other favorite.. The fat in the sour cream makes it really tender and uses just butter: http://www.serenabakessimplyfromscratch.com/2013/07/flaky-sour-cream-pie-crust.html and is delicious also! I hope that helps, Serena

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it does! Thank you so much😊 I am actually planning to try out your lemon meringue recipe. And I wanted to make my own pie crust.

      Delete
  11. If doing a double crust, I recommend keeping the dough you’re not rolling out in the fridge while working on the first piece. Should probably go without saying but by the time I went to put my top crust on, it was too warm and melty to hold together. I had to scrap it, cool it, and try again later. It’s in the oven now and starting to smell good!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This continues to be my favorite pie crust recipe. I send it to everyone eho says they want to bake a pie. I use it multiple times a year, and everyone raves about my pie crust. We even cut some of it into pieces and bake it as cereal, it's just that good.

    ReplyDelete

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