3 Foolproof Pie Crusts
3 Foolproof Pie Crusts
Ingredients
For the All-Butter Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup ice water, plus more if needed
For the Butter + Shortening Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup shortening, cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup ice water, plus more if needed
For the Sour Cream Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup sour cream, cold
- 1/4 cup ice water, plus more if needed
Instructions
- 1
Choose which pie crust recipe you'd like to make: All-Butter, Butter + Shortening, or Sour Cream. Gather all necessary ingredients for your chosen crust.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Add the cold, cubed butter (and shortening if making the Butter + Shortening crust) to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter (and shortening) into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
If making the Sour Cream crust, add the cold sour cream to the mixture and gently combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix. You may not need all of the water, or you might need a little more, depending on the humidity.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently form it into a disc. Do not knead the dough excessively.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Wrap the dough disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days, before rolling out and using. This chilling time is crucial for developing flavor and making the dough easier to handle.
⏱️ 60 min
- 8
Once chilled, the pie crust is ready to be rolled out and used for your desired pie, galette, hand pies, or other pastry creations.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
3 Foolproof Pie Crusts
For the All-Butter Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup ice water, plus more if needed
For the Butter + Shortening Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup shortening, cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup ice water, plus more if needed
For the Sour Cream Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup sour cream, cold
- 1/4 cup ice water, plus more if needed
Instructions
- 1
Choose which pie crust recipe you'd like to make: All-Butter, Butter + Shortening, or Sour Cream. Gather all necessary ingredients for your chosen crust.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Add the cold, cubed butter (and shortening if making the Butter + Shortening crust) to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter (and shortening) into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
If making the Sour Cream crust, add the cold sour cream to the mixture and gently combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix. You may not need all of the water, or you might need a little more, depending on the humidity.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently form it into a disc. Do not knead the dough excessively.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Wrap the dough disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days, before rolling out and using. This chilling time is crucial for developing flavor and making the dough easier to handle.
⏱️ 60 min - 8
Once chilled, the pie crust is ready to be rolled out and used for your desired pie, galette, hand pies, or other pastry creations.
⏱️ 2 min