Are you craving a delicious homemade pie but intimidated by the thought of making the crust? Fear not! This recipe will guide you through creating a flaky, tender, and utterly irresistible single pie crust – perfect for both sweet and savory pies. Forget store-bought; this easy recipe will have you enjoying homemade goodness in no time! It's a perfect addition to your collection of quick dinner ideas and healthy meals, proving that homemade cooking doesn't have to be complicated. This is one of the best recipes for achieving that perfectly golden, crispy crust you’ve always dreamed of.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup ice water
Instructions:
Get Started:
- Begin by whisking together the flour and salt in a large bowl. This ensures even distribution of salt throughout the dough.
Cut in the Butter:
- Add the very cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting. The goal is to have pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
Add the Ice Water:
- Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly with a fork until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix; a slightly shaggy dough is perfectly fine.
Form the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently form it into a disc. Avoid kneading, as this will develop the gluten and result in a tough crust.
Chill the Dough:
- Wrap the dough disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, resulting in a flakier crust.
Roll Out the Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a circle slightly larger than your pie plate. Use gentle, even strokes, rotating the dough frequently to prevent sticking.
Transfer to Pie Plate:
- Carefully transfer the dough to your pie plate. Gently press it into the bottom and up the sides, trimming any excess dough. Crimp the edges decoratively, if desired.
Blind Bake (Optional):
- For pies with wet fillings, blind baking is recommended. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes. Remove the weights and parchment paper and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until lightly golden.
Bake your Pie:
- Now you're ready to add your favorite pie filling and bake according to your recipe instructions.
Tips for the Perfect Pie Crust:
- Use very cold ingredients: Cold butter is crucial for a flaky crust.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten, resulting in a tough crust.
- Chill the dough thoroughly: Chilling allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up.
- Use a sharp knife or pastry blender: This will help prevent the butter from melting.
Variations:
- Sweet Pie Crust: Add a teaspoon of sugar to the flour mixture for a sweeter crust.
- Savory Pie Crust: Omit the sugar and consider adding herbs or spices to the dough for a savory pie.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the pie filling, but a single serving of pie crust will contain roughly:
- Calories: 200-250
- Fat: 12-15g
- Carbohydrates: 25-30g
- Protein: 3-5g
Remember to adjust serving sizes for accurate nutritional information based on the total number of servings and the specific pie recipe used. Enjoy your delicious homemade pie!