Buttery, flaky crust is what makes the perfect pie and these step by step direction for how to make homemade pie crust will give you the BEST one ever! Seriously once you make this homemade pie crust recipe you will never grab a pie crust at the grocery store again!
Homemade Pie Crust Recipe
For years I grabbed the store bought crust from the refrigerator section of the grocery store. Then I learned how to make my own and it has now been years since I have bought any at the grocery store. I wish I had done this sooner, but I refuse to beat myself up over how silly I was for thinking that I could not make my own.
To be honest I was totally intimated about making my own. I don’t know exactly why, but I had it in my head that it was super hard to make and that I would mess it up. Yes I know that sounds totally silly as someone who bakes and cooks all the time and makes so many things from scratch but the idea that it was scary was stuck in my head.
Then I forgot to grab a pie crust, I called a friend of mine who was like ok here are the ingredients, here are the stepsto make your own homemade pie crust and I promise you that you are going to be just fine. She was right. I made my crust, perfectly fine and I haven’t looked back since! It made the perfect pie crust and I haven’t looked back since!
If you have never made a pie crust, you are going to love making this easy homemade pie crust and I am sure you will be using it for all of your pie making needs!
This easy recipe makes a flaky pie crust that is great for making homemade pies, both dessert pies, and savory pies.
What to make with Homemade Pie Crust
Making your own pie crust might be a scary thought, but once you learn the basics it is very simple to make your own at home and you will never go back to the store bought.
I use this recipe for all of my pies, it makes 2 crusts. If you are making an open pie then this will make enough for 2. If you are making a closed pie then you will be able to make 1 with this recipe.
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If you want to make your apple pie fancy you totally can easily too! Just check out how to make Lattice Pie crust Apple pie and how to make the best egg wash for apple pie!
Be sure to also check out the tips on how to make the perfect pie!
You can use this recipe in place of ANY crust recipe when you are making a homemade pie. If a recipe tells you to use a store bought crust, this recipe is perfect for replacing it and making a homemade crust.
How many Pie crusts does this Easy Homemade Pie Crust recipe make?
If you are making an open pie (single crust pie) then this will make enough for 2 pies made in a 9-inch pie plate. If you are making a closed pie (double-crust pie) then you will be able to make 1 with this simple recipe.
Can I make Pie Dough in Advance?
Yes! You can make the pie crust ahead of time and store either in the fridge or freeze it to use later. It is important that when you store the pie crust it is wrapped well in plastic wrap and then stored in a zip close bag with the air squeezed out.
How long does Unbaked Homemade Pie Crust last?
Once you have made the pie crust you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can I Make Pie crust ahead of time and Freeze pie crust?
Yes! One of the great things about making homemade pie crusts is that you can make multiple pie crusts, and then freeze them to use when you need them.
I like to do this when I know that I am going to be making multiple pies, it saves me a lot of time when I am making a lot of pies at once. It also makes it much easier for me to have less mess to clean up on the days that I am making pie crust.
How to Freeze homemade Pie Crust
Make your pie crust following the directions up until the rolling the pie crust in to a ball.
After rolling each one into a ball, wrap the pie dough tightly with plastic freezer wrap or heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Then place the dough into a heavy-duty freezer bag and zip closed making sure to remove any air from the bag.
You can also freeze the pie crust in the pie pan. I suggest using the tinfoil pie tins if you are going to freeze pie crusts this way.
Follow all of the steps for how to make a pie crust and then shape the pie crust in the tin foil pie pan.
Then wrap the unbaked pie crust tightly with plastic wrap and place into a heavy-duty freezer bag and zip closed making sure to remove any air from the bag.
How to use Frozen Pie Dough
If you are using a premed pie crust that you froze in a ball shape defrost it by placing it in the fridge for a few hours. Once it is defrosted roll out the dough and use it as usual.
It will take a few hours to defrost in the fridge, but you do not want to use anything to help it along or you will not end up with a flaky crust.
Tips for making This Recipe
Do not overwork the dough. This will add extra warmth to the butter that is in it and will make for a runny dough.
Make sure the ingredients are very cold. Using warm ingredients will give you a very unstable crust that will also not bake properly in the oven.
Always roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface. If you do not use a floured surface then you will end up with a doughy mess when it sticks to the surface you are rolling it out on.
Use a pastry cutter. If you don’t own a pastry cutter you can use your hands however I suggest spending the money on one. It makes life so much easier.
Clean work surface. It is important to have a clean work surface when you are making the pie crust, you do not want to get anything stuck to the bottom of the crust or into the dough when you are making it.
Butter or Shortening?
I know there are some recipes out there that call for using shortening, this recipe is for how to make pie crust without shortening, we only use butter in our easy pie crust recipe.
What is Blind Baking?
Blind baking is when you are baking the crust without the filling. Not all pie recipes call for blind baking but some do.
If a recipe calls for blind baking the crust you will want to weigh down the crust with either pie weights or dried beans.
What are pie weights?
Pie weights are small weights that you place in the bottom of an unbaked pie crust to hold the pie crusts form while it bakes in the oven for a pie recipe that calls for the crust to be baked partially first.
If you do not use something to hold the crust down when you are blind baking the crust the dough will rise and get puffy.
What can I use instead of Pie Weights?
If you do not have pie weights you can use dry beans or uncooked rice.
How to roll out a pie crust
Lightly flour your working surface and roll out your dough, turn it a few inches after a few rolls to achieve a round shape. If it starts to stick add a little extra flour.
It should be a little larger than your pie plate. Roll the dough around your rolling pin to easily place the dough into the pan.
Using a pairing knife or kitchen shears to trim the excess dough to a one inch overhang over the edge of the pie pan.
How to put pie crust into a pie pan
When it is time to make the pie, place the pie crust into the pie dish. Gently press the dough so it fits the shape of the pie dish. Use a pairing knife to trim off any excess on the top edges.
Fold the dough under and seal it for an edge. Using your finger tips and knuckles crimp the edges.
How do I put a top crust on a pie?
After you have put the pie filling into the bottom crust you will want to put the top crust on. Lay the top crust on top and tuck into the sides of the pie crust edges and pinch in with the outer pie crust edge. Fold the dough under and seal it for an edge. Using your finger tips and knuckles crimp the edges. It is also important to then cut slices in the top of the crust so you have vents for while the pie is baking.
Homemade Pie Crust Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flours
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour (for rolling out the pie dough)
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, cut into 16 tablespoon sized pieces
- 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup cold water
How to Make Homemade Pie Crust
In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, and salt. Use a whisk and mix together the flour, sugar, and salt.
Cut the butter into tablespoon sized pieces and add them to the dry ingredients flour mixture.
With the pastry cutter (or your hands) work the butter and flour mixture together until it looks like small peas.
Add the water little by little and mix with your hands until the dough comes together. You may not use all of the water, so it is important to start with a little water and then add more to it until you get the right texture of the pie crust.
Divide the pie crust dough into two equal parts. Roll each piece into a ball of dough and press flat onto plastic wrap and wrap well.
Chill the dough for at least one hour before using it to make a pie.
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Pie Baking Supplies
Want to whip up some delicious pies? Check out these helpful supplies and amazing pie plates!
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How to Make a Pie Crust
Tools
- 2 1/2 all-purpose flour plus extra for rolling out
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 16 tablespoons butter cold and cut in cubes
- 1/4 to 1/2 ice water
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar and salt.
- With the pastry cutter work the butter and flour mixture together until it looks like small pebbles.
- Add the water little by little and mix with your hands until the dough comes together.
- Divide the dough into two equal balls and press flat onto plastic wrap.
- Chill the dough for at least one hour.
How to use Pie crust to make a pie
- Lightly flour your working surface and roll out your dough, turn it a few inches after a few rolls to achieve a round shape.
- If it starts to stick add a little extra flour. It should be a little larger than your pie plate.
- Roll the dough around your rolling pin to easily place the dough into the pan.
- Using a pairing knife or kitchen shears to trim the dough to a one inch over hang.
- Fold the dough under and seal to for an edge.
- Using your finger tips and knuckles crimp the edges.
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Comments & Reviews
Hayley Freshman says
Hi Midget Momma – are you able to tell me how much water you use – is it 1/4 to 1/2 a cup? and how many grams is 16 tbsp of butter? thanks so much xxxxx
Stephanie says
It would be two sticks of butter.
Jennifer Dickman says
Using butter is better than shortening in the finished pie crust.
Monique says
What do you preheat oven too??
Jane says
Is that flour measurement is in by cups or lbs?
Stephanie says
Cups
Jess says
Hi, your apple pie recipe says to double this, but separating into the 2 balls appears to be dough for the top and bottom crusts already? So do I not need to double it then?
Lauren says
this recipe will make 2 pie crusts so you will end up with 2 pies making this recipe