2. What is Pie Crust?
In baking, a crust is the outer,
hard skin of bread or the shell of
a pie. Generally, it is made up of
at least shortening or another
fat, water, flour, and salt. It may
also include milk, sugar, or other
ingredients that contribute to the
taste or texture.
3. Ingredients:
2 1/2cupsall-purpose flour,
measured with a light hand via
the scoop and level method
1teaspoonsalt
6Tablespoonsunsalted butter
chilled and cut into chunks
3/4cupvegetable shortening
chilled
1/2cupice water
6. Add chilled shortening and
butter and use a pastry blender
or fork to cut them into the
flour until the mixture
resembles coarse crumbs.
7. Add a tablespoon of
water at a time until the
dough begins to clump
together--don't over mix.
You may not need the
entire ½ cup of ice water.
8. Gently mold the dough
into a ball, then divide
it into 2 pieces. Press
each piece gently with
your hands into a flat
disk.
9. Cover each disk with plastic
wrap and refrigerate the
dough for 2 hours (or stick
it in the freezer for 30
minutes).
10. Dampen a large towel or
cloth and lay it flat on your
countertop. Place a large
piece of parchment paper
over it. Lightly flour both
sides of the pie dough disc
and set it on the parchment
paper.
11. Use your rolling pin to gently
press the pie dough out into
a large circle. Always start at
the center of the crust, and
work outwards. You want
your dough to be thin, and
about ½ inch larger then the
diameter of your pie dish.
12. Gently turn the dough into
your pie dish and remove the
parchment paper. Settle it
smoothly into the bottom
and sides of the pan.
