Homemade Pie Crust

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This buttery, flaky homemade pie crust recipe is simple to make and completely foolproof! Even beginners can have success with my tried and true tips.

side view of unbaked pie crust in glass pie pan

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I often hear people say how they are intimated to make pie crust from scratch. While I agree the thought can be daunting. The process is actually much simpler than most people imagine. Too simple actually.

Today’s recipe is one of my favorites. I’ve used it time and time again when making pumpkin pie, honey pie, and banana cream pie.

There are two key ingredients in this pie crust recipe – butter and shortening. Shortening is flavorless but creates a flaky, crispy crust. So I used shortening for flakiness plus butter for flavor.

I also like to add a little sugar to the dough when I’m making pastry for sweet pies. It’s not necessary if you plan to use it for something savory like quiche.


Why this recipe works

  • A combination of butter and shortening creates a buttery crust that is super flaky.
  • Using just the right amount of liquid to get the dough to hold together is key. You don’t want a wet dough!
  • Cutting the butter and shortening in until the mixture looks like lentils will give you a more uniform crust.
overhead of chocolate pie with whipped cream in a homemade pie crust

Pie crust recipe

Basic pastry dough, also called pâte brisée in French, is unsweetened and made with half as much butter by weight as flour. The pastry is moistened with water to activate the gluten.

My recipe is made with both shortening and butter to yield a sturdy yet flakier texture. I use sugar in my recipe but you can omit it if you plan to use the crust for a savory pie. I also give you the option to use water, vodka, or heavy cream.

The alcohol in vodka inhibits gluten formation so the crust stays tender, light, and flaky. Don’t worry, it cooks out during baking.

And heavy cream helps to keep the pastry from becoming too tough. It will give you a softer, richer crust.


Ingredients

The full ingredient amounts will be listed down below in the printable recipe card. You can easily double this recipe if you need a top crust.

  • Flour: I use plain all-purpose flour. You can use half all-purpose and half cake flour to a more tender crust.
  • Sugar: Sugar is completely optional. I use 2 tablespoons but this can be adjusted depending on how sweet the filling will be.
  • Salt: A pinch of salt helps to enhance the flavor.
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter and make sure it is cold. Keep in mind the more butter you use, the more delicate the crust will be.
  • Shortening: Crisco vegetable shortening is my preferred choice. It should be cold as well.
  • Water: You’ll need a few tablespoons of ice water to get the dough to hold together.

To make this pastry dough you’ll need:

  • Mixing bowl: A simple medium to large mixing bowl is all you need.
  • Pastry blender: Invest in a pastry blender (pastry cutter)! It makes cutting the butter and shortening into the crust so much easier.

How to make pie crust from scratch

Make sure to use cold ingredients when making pie crust! You want to maintain the integrity of those little bits of fat throughout the pastry.

Cold butter – Dice the butter into pieces and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

Cold shortening – Just like with the butter, cut it into small pieces, and keep it in refrigerated until you are ready to use it.

Cold water – Make that ice water! Fill a cup with ice and cold water. Dip the water out of the cup with a measuring spoon.

side view of unbaked pie crust in glass pan

Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients

Add the flour, sugar (if using), and salt to a medium/large mixing bowl. Stir everything together with a whisk, making sure to get it well combined.

If you live in a warm environment, it may help to freeze the butter and shortening. You can grate the frozen fats right into the flour and toss it together with a fork.

Step 2: Cut in the fats

Add the butter and shortening to the flour mixture and use a pastry cutter to cut in the fats until the mixture resembles lentils.

A lot of recipes will say to cut the fats in until the mixture resembles peas. But I’ve found that the smaller the bits of fat, the more uniform the crust will be. This ensures those little bits of fat are evenly distributed throughout the crust.

photo of butter and shortening in bowl with flour next to photo of butter and shortening cut into flour with pastry cutter

Step 3: Add water to moisten

This is where it can get tricky. You want to be careful not to add too much water.

Drizzle in one tablespoon of ice cold water at a time. You may need more or less water depending on the humidity in your area.

After each tablespoon of water you add, toss the mixture together with a fork. Don’t stir vigorously, just gently toss it around to moisten the flour. Continue to add water until your able to pinch the dough together and it holds.

image of moistened pastry dough in bowl with fork next to image of hand squeezing dough together to show texture

Dump the dough onto a work surface and gently knead it until it comes together in a ragged mass. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before trying to roll it out.

homemade pie crust dough shaped into a disk and wrapped in plastic wrap

How to roll out pie crust

Rolling out pie crust is super simple. The secret is to keep the dough from sticking to the surface or the pin.

You’ll need a good rolling pin, I like to use this silicone French rolling pin. A pastry mat is also helpful. It prevents sticking and makes clean up a breeze.

Make sure to allow the dough to refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will give the gluten time to relax and allow the flour to soak up all the moisture from the water.

Keep your work surface lightly floured as you roll the dough out. Flour the rolling pin and the top of the dough as well. Turn the dough as you roll to prevent sticking. If you notice the dough starting to stick, sprinkle a little more flour underneath.

Have your pie pan nearby. Flip it upside-down and hold it over the dough. You want to roll the dough about 3 to 4-inches wider than the rim of the pie pan. Keep rolling and turning until you get there.

Gently roll the dough up around the rolling pin then unroll it into the pie plate. If you have trouble rolling the dough around the pin, you can fold it in half or into quarters then unfold it into the pie plate.

image of pie crust rolled out next to image of pie crust in pie pan

Gently press the dough into the bottom and sides of the pan. Don’t stretch the dough as this can cause it to tear or worse – shrink during baking. Instead, gently lift the dough and allow it to settle into the pie dish then use your fingers to lightly press it into place.

Trim the excess dough leaving about a 1-inch overhang. You can leave a little more if you like an extra-thick edge. Tuck the overhand under so it’s resting evenly on the lip of the pan. Use your fingers to flute the edges as desired.

overhead of unbaked pie crust in glass pie pan

Tips for perfecting pie crust

  • Temperature: The most important thing when it comes to making pie crust is to never allow the dough to get too warm. You may need to refrigerate the dough a few times while making it to ensure it stays cold.
  • Overworking: Overworking pastry dough will cause the gluten to activate. This results in a tough product. But, refrigeration helps deactivate gluten. If you’ve overworked the dough you can chill it for 30 minutes to relax the gluten.
  • Fat: I like to use a combination of butter and shortening. I find the two combined yields a dough that’s easy to work with and it bakes up flakier. If you’re not a fan of shortening, use cream cheese in its place.
    • Avoid using all butter. All butter crusts are extremely delicate and can be difficult to work with.

Homemade Pie Crust

4.65 from 28 votes
overhead of unbaked pie crust in glass pie pan
This homemade pie crust calls for shortening and butter. The butter adds flavor while the shortening adds flakiness. The final product is a pastry sturdy enough for all your pie needs.
Jen Sobjack
Prep Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups (195 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 5 tablespoons (70 g) unsalted butter, cold & cut into pieces
  • 4 tablespoons (46 g) vegetable shortening, cold & cut into pieces
  • 5 tablespoons ice water

Instructions

  • Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir with a whisk until well mixed.
  • Using a pastry cutter or two knives cut the butter and shortening into the flour mixture just until lentil sized crumbs form. A few larger bits are perfectly okay.
  • Drizzle just enough ice water over the flour to moisten it. Toss the mixture together with a fork to combine. You will know you have enough liquid when you can squeeze the mixture and it holds together.
  • Turn the dough out onto a work surface and gently knead until the dough comes together. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • When ready to use, roll the dough into a circle that’s about 4-inches larger than the diameter of your pie pan. Gently place it in the pie pan without stretching it.
  • Trim the edge so there’s a 1-inch overhang over the sides of the pie pan. Fold the excess dough under so it sits up on the rim of the pan and flute as desired.

Notes

  • If you prefer not to use shortening, you can use cream cheese in its place. Avoid using all butter as this will make the crust delicate and it may be difficult to roll out.
  • Try using vodka or heavy cream instead of water. Vodka inhibits gluten development so the crust stays tender, light, and flaky. Heavy cream will yield a softer, richer crust.
  • Double the recipe if a top crust is needed. Divide the dough in half and wrap each half tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating.
Make ahead tip
  1. Prepare the pie dough through step 2 and freeze the discs for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 219IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information provided is for convenience and as a courtesy only. It is not guaranteed to be accurate because nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator and input the exact ingredients and brands you used in the recipe.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
4.65 from 28 votes (22 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




39 Comments

  1. Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says:

    5 stars
    I am one of those that’s pretty terrified of pie crust. But I think I might be able to do this! Your pictures are gorgeous, pinned!

  2. Maryanne @ the little epicurean says:

    I hear ya! Once I used shortening in pie crusts (and fried doughnuts) there was no turning back!

    Love the picture with the berries! I just want to reach into the screen and snack on one 🙂

    1. Thanks so much, Maryanne!

  3. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says:

    This is a page to bookmark! I’m guilty of buying pre-made pie crusts because I’m sometime just too scared to make my own… this looks great 🙂

  4. This is great post! A perfect homemade pie crust is so amazing!!!

  5. Kelley @ Chef Savvy says:

    What a wonderful tutorial! Your pictures are beautiful!

  6. 5 stars
    Looks so crispy! And the blackberry pie – so delicious!
    I also prefer to use shortening for my pie crusts, so my recipe is almost the same! So easy to work with, too!
    Pinning!

  7. Andrea @ Chocolate & Sea Salt says:

    Jen, can’t wait to try your recipe! I usually think the hardest part of pie making is shaping the crust so it looks pretty – haha!

    1. I struggle with shaping it too, Andrea! It’s something I’m still working on but just like anything else, practice makes perfect. 🙂

  8. I’ve always been an “all butter, all the way!” girl but I might have to try out this shortening business because your pie crust looks perfect!

    1. I have fallen in love with shortening! You must at least give it a try, girl.

  9. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says:

    Your pie crust looks absolutely perfect Jen! Half butter, half shortening is my favourite pie crust too!

  10. Allie | Baking a Moment says:

    Perfection! As much as I get freaked out by shortening, I can’t argue that it goes a long way towards making a more tender pie crust. This is exactly the same way I like to make crust! Great tutorial and I love that you’ve broken the recipe down for a single or double pie crust 😉

    1. Thanks, Allie! I’m so glad I started using shortening. I seriously want to put in EVERYTHING!