Pastry for Double-Crust Pie

Rating: 3.93 stars
95 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 57
  • 4 star values: 7
  • 3 star values: 12
  • 2 star values: 9
  • 1 star values: 10

Nothing is as tempting as a homemade pie, complete with a tender, flaky crust. Here's how to obtain perfect piecrust.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Stir together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are pea-size.

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  • Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Repeat, using 1 tablespoon water at a time, until all the dough is moistened. Divide in half. Form each half into a ball.

  • On lightly floured surface, flatten 1 dough ball. Roll from center to edges into 12-inch circle.

  • To transfer pastry, wrap it around the rolling pin; unroll into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pie plate, being careful not to stretch pastry. Transfer filling to pastry-lined pie plate. Trim pastry even with rim of pie plate.

  • Roll remaining dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Cut slits to allow steam to escape. Place remaining pastry on filling; trim 1/2 inch beyond edge of plate. Fold top pastry under bottom pastry. Crimp edge as desired. Bake as directed in individual recipes. Makes 8 servings.

Food processor directions:

Prepare as above, except place steel blade in processor bowl. Add flour, shortening, and salt. Cover; process with on/off turns until most of mixture resembles cornmeal, but with a few larger pieces. With processor running, quickly add 1/4 cup water through feed tube. Stop processor when all water is added; scrape down sides. Process with 2 on/off turns (mixture may not all be moistened). Remove dough from bowl; shape into a ball. Divide in half. Continue as above.

Pastry for Lattice-Top Pie:

Prepare as above, except trim bottom pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Roll out remaining pastry and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Fill pastry-lined pie plate with desired filling. Weave strips over filling for lattice crust. Press ends of strips into crust rim. Fold bottom pastry over strips; seal and crimp edge. For a quick lattice, roll out top pastry. Use a mini-cookie or canape cutter to make cutouts an equal distance apart from pastry center to edge. Place pastry on filling and seal. Bake as directed.

Tips

Prepare dough. Wrap in plastic wrap or place in plastic bag; seal. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Allow to come to room temperature before rolling out for pie.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
256 calories; 17 g total fat; 4 g saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 134 mg sodium. 22 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 3 g protein; 0 RE vitamin a; 0 mg vitamin c; 0 mg calcium; 1 mg iron;

Reviews (5)

95 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 57
  • 4 star values: 7
  • 3 star values: 12
  • 2 star values: 9
  • 1 star values: 10
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
05/06/2018
This is the only recipe I have ever used to make a pie crust. Flakey light crust. I got my first BHG new cookbook my senior year in 1969 for Christmas. Where ever I take a pie, family dinner, church social, neighborhood potluck, etc, it¿s the first to disappear. Never bring any home. I have taught my granddaughters to make pies using this recipe. Always Easy As Pie.
Jenny Nelson
Rating: Unrated
10/02/2013
My grandmother, mother, and aunt have lived and died by this recipe. Always add at least 2 T extra ice water, it's hard to add too much! Patience is always the most key of ingredients with pie crusts... More commentary at http://jennynelson.wordpress.com
Gregory Torell
Rating: Unrated
10/20/2013
This is a large recipe if you are using an 8-inch round. I use the 1953 edition, which is half of this recipe, but with "4 - 5 tbsp of cold water". This recipe is nice if you want extra crust, but a half has just enough for you to have a small snack of dough if you're making an 8 inch.
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Emma Nash
Rating: Unrated
09/09/2013
Best recipe for pine crust and can be used for savory and sweet pies.
Gregory Torell
Rating: Unrated
10/20/2013
Also, this recipe works *beautifully* if you use coconut oil instead of shortening. I found the coconut makes it much easier to work with.
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