This easy pie crust is great for beginners and turns out perfect every time! Flaky, crisp crust on the outside and soft in the center. Tastes amazing with just about any pie filling!
Crisp and Flaky Pie Crust
This is my go-to pie crust recipe when baking. Making your pie crust from scratch is a lot easier than you might think. Today I’m going to break it down for you so you can make your own at home this year. Some of my favorite types of pie to make with it are razzleberry pie, pumpkin pie and chicken pot pie.
This pie crust has a great flaky crust that turns out a little crisp on the outside but soft in the center. It’s so yummy and perfect with just about any filling. It’s also a lot easier than you think to make your own pie crust. There are many variations with pie crust but I prefer using both butter and shortening. Butter yields the best flavor and the shortening makes it nice and flaky!
Ingredients
This pie dough recipe only takes 5 simple ingredients.
- Flour: Make sure to use high quality all-purpose flour (I prefer King Arthur’s). Make sure to stir the flour up before measuring and then scoop and level it into the cup so you don’t end up adding too much.
- Sugar: I use granulated sugar. If you’re making a savory pie, you can leave this out.
- Salt: I love to use a fine sea salt (Jacobsen’s is my favorite).
- Butter: Make sure it’s very cold. I like to use unsalted so I can control the amount of salt.
- Shortening: I like to put my shortening in the freezer for about 15 minutes beforehand to help firm it up a bit.
- Water: Make sure to use ice cold water. This will help bind the pie dough.
How to Make Pie Crust
- Make the dough: Combine the flour, salt and sugar. Then cut the butter and shortening in with a pastry cutter until it forms crumbs. You’ll want to work fast so the butter doesn’t have time to warm up. Next add 2 Tablespoons of water. Stir and add more water until it forms a dough.
- Refrigerate: Cut dough in half and wrap with plastic wrap. I like to press it into disks so it’s easier to roll out. Place in refrigerator for atleast an hour.
- Roll it out: Roll out on a floured surface, rotating your rollin pin 45° to insure even thickness.
- Place in pie dish: Then carefully place dough in pie pan. Press the crust edges using your thumb and index finger. You can also cut off the extra dough around the edges or press it down with a fork.
Lattice Crust
Take your pie to the next level by topping with an intricate lattice pie crust. It’s a fun way to fancy it up and bring some pizzazz to your holiday table.
Baking Tips
- Keep everything cold. Work as fast as you can and don’t skip the refrigeration process.
- If your crust cracks, don’t stress. Wet your finger and then gently press the dough back together. Don’t worry about it looking perfect. It takes practice and will still taste delicious.
- Make sure to roll the dough out leaving about 2-3 inches to hang over your pie dish. This way you can have a nice thick crust.
- To transfer the dough to the pie dish you can fold the dough in half and then in half again. Then open it once in the pie dish.
Favorite Recipes to Make with Pie Crust
This crust tastes amazing with just about any filling. Below are a few of my favorites:
- Coconut cream pie
- Pumpkin pie
- Brown bag apple pie
- Apple cheesecake pie
- Fresh strawberry pie
- Chocolate silk pie
- Banana cream pie
- Razzleberry pie
- Apple cranberry pie
- Peach pie
- Breakfast pie
Easy Pie Crust Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1-2 Tablespoons granulated sugar , optional
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , chilled and cubed
- 2/3 cup vegetable shortening , chilled
- 1 Tablespoon vinegar
- ice cold water , add a Tablespoon at a time
Instructions
- Combine the flour, salt and sugar. Then cut the butter and shortening in with a pastry cutter until it forms crumbs. You'll want to work fast so the butter doesn't have time to warm up.
- Place ice cubes into the water. Then stir and allow to melt. Add the vinegar and 1 Tablespoon of water. Stir and then add 1 more Tablespoon of water at a time (up to 1/2 cup) until it forms a dough.
- Cut the dough in half and then wrap it with plastic wrap. I like to press it into a disk so it's easier to roll out. Place in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or for up to 3 days.
- Once dough is chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 – 1/4" thick.
- Then carefully transfer to a pie pan. Then make the crust edges using your thumb and index finger. You can also cut off the extra dough around the edges or press it down with a fork. Proceed with cooking the pie crust per the recipe instructions.
Have you ever had an issue with this pie crust shrinking when it bakes? I need to pre-bake my crust because I’ll be making a chocolate cream pie! I’ve been having the worst luck with my pie crusts shrinking lately!
Hi Adelle! I haven’t noticed this recipe shrinking! :)
I am new at this, my husband did all the baking and now it’s up to me. I live alone and would love to learn how to bake.
I hope you enjoy this pie crust recipe! :)
What if you don’t have a food processer?
You can also do it by hand using a pastry cutter or 2 knives! :)
why use vinegar in making a pie crust from scratch?
It may seem strange to add vinegar to the pie crust recipe, but it’s definitely the secret ingredient! It’s important to add vinegar because it tenderizes the pie crust and makes a softer dough. The vinegar helps to prevent the development of gluten, which creates a tougher crust. So be sure to add the vinegar so that your pie crust develops the perfect, soft texture!
One of the questions mentions vinegar, and your response says it’s necessary for a tender crust. But the version of the recipe I see omits vinegar. What’s your recommendation? I have also heard a couple of tablespoons of vodka in lieu of some of the water is good.
You can add 1 Tablespoon of vinegar when you add the water. It helps make the crust more tender :)
Is this recipe for a 2 crust pie? I didn’t see that information anywhere in the recipe.
Yes it is for 2 pie crusts!
Saving this for the pie season! Thanks for sharing!
Your pie dough sounds sooooo easy. I will follow that recipe on my next endeavor to make my own pie crust.
Hope you enjoy as much as we do! :)
Homemade pie crust is the way to go for holiday baking! Yours looks perfect!
Thank you! It’s definitely easier than you would think too! :)
You make it sound so easy! Can’t wait to try this one. I like this! Thank you for a great recipe!
I love homemade pies. I need to try your pie crust recipe!