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How to Make Perfect Pie Crust

Making your own perfect pie crust is the way to take your baked goods to the next level, and it isn’t nearly as finicky a process as you might think!

Prep Time
10 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 8 servings (Makes one pie crust large enough for a 9” pie plate)
Calories: 275 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour or replace with all-purpose flour or a combo
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 stick frozen butter grated using a cheese grater
  • 4-5 tablespoons ice water

Instructions

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  1. In the basin of a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, and sea salt.
  2. Add in the butter, and pulse until the butter resembles the texture of small pebbles—slightly smaller than peas. All the butter doesn’t have to be cut up. It’s better to err on the side of too big butter pieces than too small.
  3. Working a tablespoon at a time, add in the ice water and pulse the food processor until combined. After each addition, grab a handful of the mixture and squeeze it together. When it stays together without crumbling (it usually takes about four tablespoons for me), you are done.
  4. Dump the crumbly meal onto a clean work surface and, using your hands, form into a solid lump, then into a disc. Work as quickly as possible because the heat in your hands will melt the butter. The disc doesn’t have to be perfect.
  5. Wrap up the disc in plastic wrap and stash in the fridge. It’ll need to rest in there for about an hour before you roll it out. If you’re in a rush, you can stick it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
  6. After the crust has chilled out in the fridge, let it warm up a bit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, then roll out on a lightly floured surface until it is about ⅛″  and large enough around to cover your pie plate. Roll the crust around your rolling pin for easy transporting.
  7. Unroll on top of your ungreased pie plate (don’t worry, there is enough butter in the pie crust to not stick). Gently push it in the plate to contour along the sides. Leaving about ½″ all the way around, trim the extra crust, roll the ½″ under, and then flute or decorate the edge however you prefer. Fill and bake per your pie recipe’s instructions.
To Blind Bake (Pre-Bake) the Crust:
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  1. Line the unbaked crust with parchment paper, fill crust with pie weights (dried beans work, too), and then chill for 30 minutes. Then bake in a 375°F oven for 20 minutes.
  2. Remove the pie from the oven. Using the parchment paper, lift out the weights and set aside.
  3. Using a fork, prick the bottom of the crust all over. Return the crust to the oven and bake for an additional 15-17 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

Notes

  • I’m a big fan of this whole wheat pastry flour for pie crust making—it turns out perfectly every time. If you want to go all white flour, just regular all-purpose flour works just fine and dandy.
  • I always keep a box of sticks of butter in my freezer. Not only do they keep for months in there (pick them up when they’re on sale!), but that way I always have frozen butter ready for pie crusts or biscuits.
  • Don't leave out the salt! Trust us, you want a little bit of saltiness when you’re making sweets.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 275kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 30g (10%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 39mg (13%) Sodium 283mg (12%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 3g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings (Makes one pie crust large enough for a 9” pie plate)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 275

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 275kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 39mg 13%
Sodium 283mg 12%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 3g 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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