Easy Pie Crust Recipe: If you are here for a simple and perfect pie crust recipe, then you are at the perfect place to make a delicious dessert faster than ever. All the newbies and seasoned bakers can try this quick recipe that includes a few ingredients. Just bake it and get a perfectly gooey, flaky, and buttery pie with great taste.
A blend of ingredients required to make a pie crust
- All-purpose flour (1/4 cups) + some more for dusting
- One stick of unsalted butter (1/2 cup); use it by cutting it into smaller cubes when it is cold
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon)
- Ice water (2 to 4 tablespoons)
What makes this pie crust recipe easy?
Pie crust does not require any rocket science. It just takes a few tips and steps that make you a perfect pie base for any pie. The secret to a flaky crust and tender base of a pie is the addition of ice water and butter. You can make a savory or a sweet pie as per your choice by adding to the pie crust.
Steps to follow to get the perfect pie base:
Step 1: assemble the dry ingredients
Take a large bowl, sieve the flour into it, and then add the salt. Mix them together until it gets perfectly assembled.
Step 2: add the butter
Take the block of cold butter, then cut it with a fork, pastry cutter, knife, or with your finger to the bowl. Mix the butter with the mixture till it makes coarse crumbs. To obtain that flaky texture of the crust, leave some pea-sized butter chunks in the mixture.
Step 3: mix ice water
keep adding the iced water with a tablespoon one after the other by mixing in between. Then add one tablespoon of water at a time, stirring the butter and flour mixture after every single spoon addition of the water. Four tablespoons of water would be enough, but you can add more if required. make sure not to over-handle the dough.
Step 4: make a dough
Sprinkle some flour on a surface, then take the dough onto it and make a ball out of the dough. Then flatten the dough ball into a disc shape. Take a plastic wrap wrap the dough and put it in a refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling it out.
Step 5: Roll the dough
Take the dough out of the refrigerator and roll it in a circular shape of diameter 12 inches for a standard 99-inchpie. Then place the dough in a pie tray and trim out the excess. You can decotare the edges by crimping, using a fork, or with your finger.
Step 6: bake it or make a pie with your favorite filling
you can then bake the pie crust in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 12 minutes till the pie crust gets a golden brown color. Or you can fill your favorite filling to the pie base and bake it to get a perfect pie.
Tips to success
use every ingredient at a lowered temperature. To obtain the perfect flaky texture of the crust, it is essential to use chilled water and cold butter. Just refrigerate the condiments for some minutes before using.
Do not kneed the dough. Do not kneed the dough to prevent it from getting tough; handle the dough as little as possible.
Use a glass pie tray: to get an evenly baked pie, a glass dish makes it golden and nice.
Why you will love this pie crust recipe:
This pie crust recipe is easy, quick, and versatile to make. You can add any filling to the pie base, whether it is a sweet or savory pie, with a few steps. With normal pantry staples, few ingredients, and less effort, you can get a perfectly buttery and flaky crust of pie.
Final verdict:
Making a pie as a dessert or savory treat was never an intimidating process to follow. Following a few easy steps and staple blends can give a pie base without any hassle. So start baking your favorite pie now with this basic pie crust recipe.
FAQs on pie crust
Q. this pie crust be made in advance?
A. yes, you can make the dough two days in advance and keep it refrigerated in an airtight plastic wrap.
Q. Can I store this dough in a refrigerator?
A. Absolutely. You can keep this pie dough in plastic wrap, and it is all set to be frozen. You can refrigerate it for three months and use it whenever needed.
Q. Can I replace the butter with margarine?
A. yes, you can use margarine in place of butter, but it may affect the overall outcome. Using unsalted butter can help with a perfect flaky texture and better flavor.
Q. What is the basic formula to bake a pie crust?
A. To get a flaky and tender pie crust, use a 3:2:1 ratio of flour, butter, and water.
Q. What flour is best for pie making?
A. All-purpose flour is the perfect mix to bake a classic pie crust.
Q. What is the one thing you must not do while making pie dough?
A. Never kneed or overhandled the pie dough.