Description

This all-butter pie crust recipe offers a flaky, tender base perfect for both sweet and savory pies. Made with cold unsalted butter and a mix of simple ingredients, the crust delivers rich flavor and a delicate texture. Optional variations include herb-infused crusts, whole wheat blends, gluten-free substitutions, and sweetened or spiced versions to suit a variety of tastes. Chill times ensure the butter remains cold for optimal flakiness.

Ingredients

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Basic Pie Crust Ingredients

1 cup (225g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
2 1/2 cups (312g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
6 to 8 tablespoons ice cold water

Optional Variations

Chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme) for herb-infused crust
Substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour for a whole wheat blend
Gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for gluten-free crust
Extra sugar (1-2 tablespoons) for sweetened crust
Cinnamon or nutmeg for spiced crust

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Instructions

Chill Your Ingredients: Place the cold unsalted butter and ice cold water in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Keeping these ingredients chilled is essential for creating a flaky crust.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and granulated sugar if using. This ensures even distribution and prevents clumping.
Cut in the Butter: Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the chilled butter into the flour mixture until pea-sized crumbs form. Leaving some larger butter pieces helps create flakiness.
Add Ice Cold Water: Slowly add the ice cold water one tablespoon at a time, gently mixing with a fork just until the dough starts to come together. Avoid overworking to maintain a tender dough.
Form and Chill the Dough: Gather the dough into two discs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to hydrate the flour and relax the gluten.
Roll Out and Use: Lightly flour your surface and roll each dough disc to about 1/8 inch thickness. Transfer to your pie dish, trim edges neatly, and proceed with your pie filling.

Notes

Keep all ingredients as cold as possible to ensure a flaky texture.
Do not overwork the dough, which can cause toughness.
Chilling the dough before rolling allows gluten to relax and flour to hydrate, improving texture.
For a richer flavor, try infusing the dough with fresh herbs or spices.
Use a gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum if a gluten-free option is needed.
Adjust sugar amount or add spices for sweet or spiced crust variations.