Flaky Pioneer Woman Pie Crust With Butter Recipe

Heavenly Buttery Pioneer Woman Pie Crust Recipe for Bakers

Pioneer Woman’s pie crust with butter whisks you into a world of delectable pastry magic.

Generations of bakers have cherished this transformative recipe that turns simple ingredients into culinary art.

Butter plays the starring role, dancing with flour to create impossibly flaky layers that melt on your tongue.

Each crumb tells a story of tradition, love, and meticulous craft.

Cold ingredients and gentle handling unlock the secret to pastry perfection.

Professional and home bakers alike revere this technique for its remarkable ability to produce a golden, tender crust.

Check out this delightful recipe and unleash your inner pastry chef – deliciousness awaits!

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 298 kcal

Servings: 2

What’s in Pioneer Woman Pie Crust With Butter

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached flour for superior texture and richer flavor profile.
  • Salt: Opt for fine-grained table salt to ensure even distribution throughout the dough.
For Fat Component:
  • Unsalted Butter: Choose high-quality, European-style butter with higher fat content for maximum flakiness and rich taste.
For Liquid Ingredients:
  • Ice Water: Use filtered water with plenty of ice cubes to keep temperature extremely cold.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Select organic, unpasteurized vinegar for subtle tanginess and improved dough tenderness.

Tools to Handle Pie Crust With Butter Smoothly

  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients comfortably.
  • Pastry cutter: Helps break butter into tiny pieces without warming it up.
  • Clean hands: Alternative tool for cutting butter if you don't have a pastry cutter.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for precise ingredient measurements.
  • Small bowl: Used for mixing ice water and apple cider vinegar.
  • Fork: Helps toss liquid into flour mixture gently.
  • Plastic wrap: Protects dough while chilling and helps shape it smoothly.
  • Rolling pin: Crucial for flattening dough into perfect pie crust shape.
  • Flat work surface: Clean countertop or cutting board for rolling out dough.
  • Refrigerator: Necessary for chilling dough and maintaining butter's cold temperature.

How to Craft Butter-Based Pie Crust

How to Craft Butter-Based Pie Crust

Create A Pastry Masterpiece

Whip up a delectable pie crust that’ll make taste buds dance with excitement. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a flaky, buttery dream that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

  • Flour Power Preparation

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine flour with a pinch of salt. Swirl the ingredients together, creating a smooth base that’ll become the foundation of your culinary magic.

  • Butter Transformation

Slice cold butter into tiny cubes, then gently massage them into the flour mixture. Use your fingertips to work the butter until the mixture looks like coarse, crumbly snowflakes. Keep some butter chunks intact – they’re the secret to those irresistible flaky layers.

  • Liquid Alchemy

Mix ice-cold water with a splash of apple cider vinegar. This special liquid will bind your dough while keeping it incredibly tender. Slowly drizzle the mixture over the flour, tossing gently until the dough just begins to come together.

  • Dough Shaping Ritual

Tenderly knead the dough a few times, then divide it into two equal portions. Wrap each piece in plastic, creating smooth, compact disks. Give the dough a chance to rest and chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.

  • Pie Crust Finale

Let the dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling. Your perfectly crafted pie crust is now ready to become the star of any baking adventure, promising a mouthwatering experience that’ll leave everyone craving more.

Baking Tips for Buttery Pie Crusts

Baking Tips for Buttery Pie Crusts
  • Master Butter Chilling: Keep butter super cold before cutting. Pop butter in freezer for 10-15 minutes to ensure perfect flaky texture that bakes beautifully.
  • Swap Vinegar Alternatives: Replace apple cider vinegar with white vinegar or lemon juice. Each adds subtle tang and helps break down gluten for tender crust.
  • Temperature Control Trick: Work quickly when handling dough to prevent butter from warming up. Warm butter creates dense, tough pastry instead of delicate layers.
  • Flour Power Technique: Dust work surface lightly with flour to prevent sticking. Roll dough gently with smooth, even pressure to maintain delicate structure.

Serving Ideas for Butter Crust Desserts

Serving Ideas for Butter Crust Desserts
  • Plate with Pie Perfection: Serve your freshly baked pie on a beautiful ceramic plate with decorative edges to elevate the visual appeal and make the dessert look even more inviting.
  • Scoop of Comfort: Top each slice with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream to add creamy richness and create a delightful temperature contrast.
  • Garnish with Grace: Sprinkle some finely chopped nuts, cinnamon, or fresh mint leaves around the pie to add texture, color, and an extra layer of flavor that will impress your guests.
  • Pairing Paradise: Complement the pie with a warm cup of coffee, herbal tea, or a sweet dessert wine to enhance the overall dining experience and bring out the subtle flavors of the crust.

Storage Advice for Pioneer Woman Pie Crust With Butter

Storage Advice for Pioneer Woman Pie Crust With Butter
  • Preserve Pie Perfection: Smart Storage Strategies
  • Keep your homemade pie crust fresh by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap, then placing in a freezer-safe bag. Raw dough stays delicious for up to 3 months when frozen properly.
  • Refrigerator Rescue: Quick Preservation Tactics
  • Store unbaked pie dough in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Wrap each disk separately to prevent moisture absorption and maintain its delicate texture.
  • Thaw with Care: Gentle Defrosting Techniques
  • Transfer frozen pie dough to the refrigerator overnight for smooth, even thawing. Avoid countertop defrosting to prevent potential bacterial growth and maintain dough quality.
  • Portion and Protect: Smart Meal Planning Tips
  • Pre-portion dough into individual disks before freezing. Label each package with the date and type of crust to streamline your future baking adventures and reduce waste.
Print
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Flaky Pioneer Woman Pie Crust With Butter Recipe

Flaky Pioneer Woman Pie Crust With Butter Recipe


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4.9 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Creamy Pioneer Woman Pie Crust with Butter combines classic baking techniques from American kitchens. Home bakers can master this flaky, rich pastry with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing methods.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2.5 cups (591 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, cubed and kept cold
  • 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
  • 6 tbsps (90 ml) water, chilled
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Flour Preparation: Sift flour and salt together in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the pie crust.
  2. Butter Integration: Slice cold butter into small cubes and quickly blend into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, creating coarse, uneven crumbs while maintaining a low temperature.
  3. Liquid Incorporation: Combine ice-cold water and apple cider vinegar, then gradually pour over the flour-butter mixture. Gently fold with a fork until the dough begins to combine, avoiding overmixing.
  4. Dough Formation: Transfer the mixture to a clean surface and perform minimal kneading—just 4-5 gentle compressions—to create a unified, shaggy mass without developing excess gluten.
  5. Portioning and Chilling: Divide the dough into two equal disks, wrap individually in plastic, and refrigerate for 2-48 hours. This crucial resting period allows gluten relaxation and butter solidification, ensuring a flaky, tender crust.
  6. Preparation for Use: Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly, making it easier to roll and shape for your desired pie recipe.

Notes

  • Chill Butter Thoroughly: Keep butter ice-cold and cut into tiny cubes to create perfect flaky layers in your pie crust.
  • Handle Dough Minimally: Work quickly and knead only 4-5 times to prevent tough, dense pastry and maintain delicate texture.
  • Add Vinegar Strategically: The apple cider vinegar helps prevent gluten development, ensuring an incredibly tender and soft crust.
  • Rest Dough Completely: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow butter to solidify and gluten to relax, which guarantees a perfectly flaky result.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 298
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 238 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 61 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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