I have to tell you that when I started really cooking, one of the things I was most scared to make was pie crust. I’d only heard how hard it was, how bad tough, non-flaky crust can be, how careful you have to be, all that stuff. And I believed it. Wanna know a secret? I think Pillsbury secretly spreads these rumors that everyone will screw up pie crusts and that they’re hard and time-consuming to make so you’ll go buy their refrigerated pie crusts. Also, they want you to believe that there’s little difference in taste or texture between those pie crusts and the ones you can make yourself. That is a big, fat lie.
9-Inch Single Pie Crust
1 1/4c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c.+ 1 Tbsp. shortening (I prefer butter flavored but either works)
Ice water (probably about 1/4 c.)
Making the Dough
Combine flour and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Add shortening in small cubes.
Cut in shortening (room temperature) until you get pieces that are about pea-sized.
Now, this is where it gets a little tricky, but don’t be scared. Start sprinkling the ice water by about a tablespoon at a time over the flour/shortening mixture.
Very, very gently, turn the dough with your fingers so it gets exposed to the water. You’re NOT mixing, just trying to moisten all of the flour/shortening mixture. Gradually, all of the flour mixture will be moistened. Gently pat the dough into a ball (it should come together easily but not be sticky).
Wrap in plastic wrap and keep in the fridge until you’re ready to use.
Rolling the Dough
When you’re ready to roll out your pie crust, lightly flour your work surface and place the dough ball on the surface. One of the keys in making pie crust is to handle the dough as little as possible. Don’t freak out TOO much; like I said, this recipe for crust is pretty forgiving, but at the same time, the less you touch it, the more tender and flaky it will be. Starting in the center, roll the dough out into a circle shape, about 1/8″ thick. When you’ve reached your desired thickness, place the rolling pin in the middle and gently fold the crust over the rolling pin. Lift the dough onto your pie plate and unfold it (gently; notice a theme here?).
The Edge of Reason
Unless I’m planning on doing something fancy schmancy with my edges, I just run a sharp knife around the edges of the pie plate, cutting off the excess dough. Then I use my thumb and fingers to make kind of a big, wavy edge on the crust, but that’s just how I do it; there are lots of pretty pie edges.
Pre-baked Crusts
Sometimes a recipe will call for a pre-baked crust. Some people place “weights” (either little balls specifically designed for this purpose, or even beans) in the pie to keep it from puffing and shrinking, but I’ve found that with this recipe, I don’t need them. Just prick the bottom of the crust with a fork and bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes or until golden-brown.
Double Crusts
Sometimes you’ll need or want a lid on top of that pie. Just double the recipe for the crust and cut the dough in half, using one part for the bottom and one part for the top.
When you put the crust on top, you’ll need some way of letting the steam out. This is where you can really wow people. I had a roommate who would cut a cute little heart in the top crust; some people cut some decorative slits so when you put it on top, it spreads a little and looks all pretty. My favorite thing to do is a lattice top.
How to Make a Lattice Crust
Place the rolled-out bottom crust in the pie plate, fill your pie as desired, and then roll out the top crust and cut it into strips about 1″ wide. You can use a knife or a fluted pastry wheel.
Now, lay 4-5 strips vertically on top of your pie…
Now fold every other strip back and lay a horizontal strip right under the part you’ve folded back.
Unfold the vertical strip so it lays on top of the horizontal strip. Repeat this step, this time folding back pieces that you didn’t fold before,
and then continue repeating.
until the pie is covered.
Now gently press the crust strips into the bottom crust and finish the edges however you like! This step goes for any way you top your pie…
I (sara) like to just fold the strips into the edges so I have a nice, round, solid edge
and then flute the edges all the way around
If you want, you can brush the top of your crust with some melted butter and sprinkle with sugar like I’ve done with the cherry pie here:
If You Can’t Take the Heat…
You’ll want to keep an eye on your pie as it’s baking because sometimes, the crust gets brown long before the pie is done. If you see this happening, take some tin foil and punch a hole a couple inches in diameter in the middle. Remove pie from oven and carefully, loosely place the shield over the pie (loose because you still want the steam to be able to escape). This will keep the edges from getting too brown while the middle finishes cooking.
This was way, waaaaaay more than I ever meant to say about pie crusts; please don’t let it scare you from making your own! Let us know if you still have any questions and we will happily walk you through any pie crust-making; we’re going to wean the world off store-bought pie crusts one Best Bites reader at a time!
~ Kate and Sara
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You are so right. I think home made crusts are made into this big deal when it so so simple. You can even mess it up and fix it and still be OK. And store bought crusts are just plain yucky.
Homemade crust is SO much better than store made. Or even Pillsbury made. The only crust I have ever bought and like enough (but definitely not more than mine) is Marie Callender's pie shells.
I found this lovely site today!
So many wonderful things to try. I will be visiting here all the time. Yea for happy cooks!
I have a question, I have never used the butter flavored crisco before. How is it that you are about to get that cold and cubed like butter?
Blaine–It doesn't need to be cold. I don't know how it works, but it's magic… :) However, if you're worried, you can always pop the crisco in the fridge first.
Hi – can I use butter instead of shortening?
The Stig and the Pickle- check out this link for a butter recipe:
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/08/galette-panless-pie-any-flavor.html
I make pies by the dozens around Thanksgiving, and I have found that instead of using an egg wash, use heavy whipping cream. You can brush it (carefully) on with a basting brush or spread it with your fingers. It gives it that nice look and has a great taste! You can sprinkle the sugar on top just like an egg wash as well.
Wow, this is awesome! Thanks so much for turning me into a pie goddess! I'll never buy a store bought crust again!
I tried it, and I thought that I really could do it.. Well first off, you REALLY need a rolling pin. Note to self, the PAM can DOESN'T WORK! haha.. Well it crumbled on me, I'll maybe buy a rolling pin and try it again.
I made this pie crust with your apple pie recipe with my son tonight, as we are doing an apple unit in our homeschool. I think my mouth died and went to heaven, it was so good! My hard to please husband was even blown away, giving it 10/10 and saying it was the best apple pie he'd ever tasted!! To be honest, it's the first pie I've ever made :/ So thank you for helping me find my inner domestic self!
Hi ladies! Can you use butter instead of crisco in this crust????
Hey, Amyruth! So good to "see" you! :) You know, you could sub butter (or 1/2 butter) but it makes the crust quite a bit heavier, both in texture and taste.
How long can I keep the dough in the fridge for? With Thanksgiving coming up I'd like to do as much before hand as possible. Is it possible to cook the crust and save it for a few days before adding the filling?
egregiousness–You could roll it out and wrap it securely in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for 1-2 days or in the freezer for a little longer (just let it thaw on the counter for about 45 minutes-1 hour). I wouldn't bake it ahead of time; it'll get stale.
Hope that helps!
This crust is AMAZING. I made it for the chicken pot pie. I made personal ones in mugs and that was a mistake. I wanted more crust. I could have just eaten the crust by itself, in fact I took the leftovers, baked them by themself and ate those plain! Yummy. I hope the recipes never stop!!!! Looking forward to what's going to post tomorrow.
My 11 year old grand-daughter taught me how to make a pie crust and I am 63. She taught me that when you gather up the crust put it in the cellophane and squeeze it tight. That way you are not handling it as much. Also, if you roll it out with one piece of cellophane on the bottom and one on the top you don't need more flour. Then you pick it up – cellophane and all and plop it into the pie tin and it will help you smooth out the crust with the cellophane still on the top. So slick. Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks? Love you blog!
I have been baking pies for over 45 years now, but I can’t wait to try this pie crust recipe. I just today found your site and there are so many recipes I want to try. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us!
Can this pie crust be made using butter instead of shortening?
Butter is generally too heavy. You can substitute 1/2 of the shortening with butter, but even then, it won’t be super flaky. You can always use lard if you want a more natural alternative.
Butter doesn’t have to be heavy and can be super flaky if you do it right. The trick is to make sure it stays cold the entire time. I very much prefer the taste of butter to shortening, and I prefer real fat instead of hydrogenated fats. Thanks for the directions on the lattice top. It is just what I’ve been looking for.
Hi! Loved the instructions for making the lattice top- always wanted to try that! Also just wanted to mention, that I usually put foil around the edges at the START of baking, and then remove it for the last 15-20 minutes. I find its much easier to do it this way (the foil doesn’t get very hot, I can easily reach in and grab it with my bare hands) rather than trying to put foil around a hot pie pan…. and they always come out beautifully browned, never burned. :)
I know this post is all about pie crust… and not to worry, I’m heading to the kitchen to make this in just a few moments. But I have to ask – where did you get your red pie dish?? I love it! :)
Whitney, I love it too. I love it so much that I have it in THREE different colors! lol It’s Chantal brand and I always find them at my local TJ Maxx/Home Goods store.
[...] used the Our Best Bites recipe. Â It was rather simple, but… Mmm…butter flavored [...]
This is a great little website. Thank you. I will be putting it on my toolbar, for easy access. I too, make my own pie crust. I have been using the Spry (no longer made) water whip recipe. I now use Crisco butter flavor. It is truly “as easy as pie” and flaky too.
I finally was able to purchase your cookbook! I have been wanting if for so long. Tried the pie crust recipe and you are so right! The best tasting, easiest, flakiest crust ever. I love your recipes, pictures and mostly your directions that are written with such a great personality. Even if I don’t make the recipe I ALWAYS read what you have to say. So very entertaining. Thank you so much for everything you do.
I’ve never had luck with pie crust til I tried your instructions. It turned out amazing! My 15 month old giggled when he bit into a piece of it. Not exactly sure what that means, but I’m pretty sure it’s a good sign.
Thanks! I’m excited to try this! Wish there was a printable version somewhere… the link to find the “recipe here” didn’t really take me to the recipe – just one for apple pie. :)
Going to try pot pies tonight. Going out to buy my rolling pin now! I haven’t had any luck finding a pastry cutter, and the knives didn’t work for me on my blueberry muffins, so I used my food processor. I hope it works for the pie crusts too.
What do C. mean?
Cup.