Homemade Pie Crust

Directions

  1. 1Sift the flour and salt together.
  2. 2Sift the flour and salt together.
  3. 3Sift the flour and salt together.
  4. 4Add the cubed cold butter or lard and incorporate with a pastry cutter or fork until the pieces are about the size of small peas.
  5. 5Add the cubed cold butter or lard and incorporate with a pastry cutter or fork until the pieces are about the size of small peas.
  6. 6Add the cubed cold butter or lard and incorporate with a pastry cutter or fork until the pieces are about the size of small peas.
  7. 7Add the ice cold water a tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork and trying to get it evenly distributed.
  8. 8Add the ice cold water a tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork and trying to get it evenly distributed.
  9. 9Add the ice cold water a tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork and trying to get it evenly distributed.
  10. 10Press the mixture into a compact ball. If too crumbly, spritz on more water until it holds together, but be careful not to add too much.
  11. 11Press the mixture into a compact ball. If too crumbly, spritz on more water until it holds together, but be careful not to add too much.
  12. 12Press the mixture into a compact ball. If too crumbly, spritz on more water until it holds together, but be careful not to add too much.
  13. 13Divide the dough into two balls, then flatten into disks.
  14. 14Divide the dough into two balls, then flatten into disks.
  15. 15Divide the dough into two balls, then flatten into disks.
  16. 16Refrigerate the dough disks for 10-15 minutes (or 15-20 minutes as per audio).
  17. 17Refrigerate the dough disks for 10-15 minutes (or 15-20 minutes as per audio).
  18. 18Refrigerate the dough disks for 10-15 minutes (or 15-20 minutes as per audio).
  19. 19Roll out the chilled dough.
  20. 20Roll out the chilled dough.
  21. 21Roll out the chilled dough.
  22. 22Trim the crust about an inch away from the pie pan using a pizza cutter.
  23. 23Trim the crust about an inch away from the pie pan using a pizza cutter.
  24. 24Trim the crust about an inch away from the pie pan using a pizza cutter.
  25. 25Set the crust in the pie pan and fold over the top that's sticking up above the pie pan.
  26. 26Set the crust in the pie pan and fold over the top that's sticking up above the pie pan.
  27. 27Set the crust in the pie pan and fold over the top that's sticking up above the pie pan.
  28. 28Create a ruffly look by using your knuckle and two fingers to pinch the edge.
  29. 29Create a ruffly look by using your knuckle and two fingers to pinch the edge.
  30. 30Create a ruffly look by using your knuckle and two fingers to pinch the edge.
  31. 31Use immediately, refrigerate for later that day, or freeze for another day.
  32. 32Use immediately, refrigerate for later that day, or freeze for another day.
  33. 33Use immediately, refrigerate for later that day, or freeze for another day.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 18 tbsp cold butter or lard, cubed
  • 18 tbsp cold butter or lard, cubed
  • 18 tbsp cold butter or lard, cubed
  • 8 tbsp ice cold water (or half water half vodka)
  • 8 tbsp ice cold water (or half water half vodka)
  • 8 tbsp ice cold water (or half water half vodka)

Equipment

pastry cutterrolling pinpizza cutterpie pan

Tips

  • Use really cold butter or a combination of butter and lard for flakiness.
  • Do not melt the fat into the flour; you want tiny bits of fat.
  • Use ice cold liquid (water or half water, half vodka) to keep the butter cold.
  • Vodka cooks off and helps the pie crust hold together when rolling.
  • Do not add too much water, or the crust will be chewy instead of flaky.
  • Refrigerate the dough disks for 10-20 minutes before rolling.
  • You can use a pizza cutter to trim the crust about an inch away from the pie pan.
  • Fold the excess crust over and use your knuckle and two fingers to create a ruffly edge.
  • The pie crust can be frozen for later use.
  • Vinegar can be used in place of vodka to keep it flaky.