Description
Mastering the pioneer woman pie crust requires minimal ingredients and simple techniques for baking success. Flaky, buttery pastry creates perfect pies that home bakers can confidently prepare with practice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (360 g) crisco (vegetable shortening)
- 1 large egg
- 5 tbsps (75 ml) cold water
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) white vinegar
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt
Instructions
- Mixing Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and chilled vegetable shortening. Use a pastry blender to blend until the mixture resembles coarse, uneven breadcrumbs, creating a textured foundation for the pie crust.
- Liquid Integration: Whisk the egg in a separate container, then pour into the flour mixture. Add cold water, white vinegar, and salt. Gently mix until the ingredients form a cohesive dough, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
- Dough Preparation: Divide the dough into two or three equal portions. Place each portion into a large resealable plastic bag, gently flattening to about 1/2-inch thickness. Chill in the freezer for at least 20 minutes to relax the gluten and improve handling.
- Rolling and Shaping: Remove dough from the freezer and let it soften slightly for 15 minutes. Dust a work surface with flour. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough from the center outward, rotating to maintain an even circular shape. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- Crust Placement: Carefully transfer the rolled dough to the pie pan using a metal spatula or by folding it in half. Gently press the dough against the pan’s bottom and sides, trimming excess around the edges. Create a decorative crimped edge by pinching the perimeter to seal and enhance appearance.
- Pre-Baking (Optional): For a pre-baked crust, puncture the bottom with a fork to prevent bubbling. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 12-15 minutes until light golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack before adding filling.
Notes
- Chill Ingredients Thoroughly: Keep shortening, water, and eggs extremely cold to ensure a flaky, tender pie crust with perfect texture.
- Handle Dough Minimally: Mix ingredients gently and avoid overworking to prevent tough, dense crust; less handling means more delicate pastry.
- Freeze Before Rolling: Letting dough rest in freezer relaxes gluten and stabilizes fat, making rolling easier and preventing shrinkage during baking.
- Use Precise Technique: Roll dough from center outward, rotating frequently to maintain even thickness and prevent uneven baking or tearing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg