Pie Crust 101
Master the art of homemade pies with "Pie Crust 101," your ultimate guide to creating a perfectly flaky pie crust from scratch. This beginner-friendly recipe combines simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, cold unsalted butter, and a touch of sugar (if desired) to suit sweet or savory fillings. Key to success is the ice-cold butter and water, ensuring a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while a quick chill in the fridge locks in the dough's structure for effortless rolling. Whether you're baking a fruit-filled summer pie or a comforting pot pie, this versatile crust promises professional-level results every time. Perfect for novice bakers and pie enthusiasts, "Pie Crust 101" will elevate your baking game with ease.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional, for sweet pies)
- 8 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar (if using).
Add the cold, cubed butter to the bowl. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the texture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter visible.
Gradually drizzle in the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, while gently tossing the mixture with a fork. Stop adding water as soon as the dough starts to come together but is not overly sticky.
Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and gently knead it a few times to form a cohesive ball. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can lead to a tough crust.
Divide the dough in half, flatten each portion into a round disc, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before rolling it out. This helps relax the gluten and solidify the butter, ensuring a flaky crust.
When ready to use, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness. Use as directed in your pie recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2864 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 197.2 g | 253% | |
| Saturated Fat | 123.8 g | 619% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 524 mg | 175% | |
| Sodium | 1202 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 241.5 g | 88% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.2 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.2 g | ||
| Protein | 32.7 g | 65% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.8 mcg | 19% | |
| Calcium | 92 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 13.9 mg | 77% | |
| Potassium | 372 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
