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Baker's Secret Pie Crust

SUBMITTED BY: CAROLEALANA PHOTO BY: POPPYTRAIL

"I used to be challenged by pie crusts. After 27 plus years of experimenting, this is the MOST successful recipe that I have developed. If using salted butter, reduce salt to 1/4 teaspoon."
RECIPE RATING:
The reviewer gave this recipe 197 stars. This recipe average a 4.7 star rating.
Read Reviews (169)
Original recipe yield 1 deep pie crust

SERVINGS

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Servings
 

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

  • 3/4 cup cake flour
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 5 tablespoons shortening
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
  • 3 cubes ice
  • 1/2 cup cold water

DIRECTIONS

  1. Measure butter & shortening onto a plate, put into freezer for about 20 minutes.
  2. Measure cake flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, salt and baking powder into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds to mix.
  3. Take 1/2 of the cold butter and 1/2 of the cold shortening, put into processor with dry ingredients and pulse off and on for about 1 minute. Scrape down twice while doing this.
  4. Take remainder of the cold butter & cold shortening and cut in very briefly with the processor, leaving visible pea-sized chunks. Do not over process at this stage!
  5. In a measuring cup, mix egg yolk and vinegar together, add ice cubes and water. Let this get chilled, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  6. Remove mixed flours and shortening from processor, put into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle approximately 4 to 5 tablespoons of this egg, water, vinegar mixture, a little at a time, mixing gently with a fork. The key to this is, you do not want a wet dough, and you do not want to overmix.
  7. Place this dough into plastic wrap or plastic bag, chill in refrigerator for a few minutes. (May also be frozen for a few weeks at this stage for future use).
  8. Remove from refrigerator and roll out. This makes absolutely the BEST pie crusts. I have won County Fair competitions with this pie crust. Double for making a 2-crust pie.
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REVIEWS

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 30, 2003 by MINDY W
I feel like I've been saved a lot of trouble and time by finding this recipe. I don't need to... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 22, 2006 by KC192
This is by far my favorite pie crust recipe! It sounds a little labor intensive but it's not... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 7, 2002 by GINNYG
WOW! I have been struggling to make a decent pie crust for ages...this is the recipe! It... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 22, 2003 by RN4L&D
This makes the best pie crust ever! My husbands father would not stop eating and his... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 25, 2005 by CLYNCH1
Great recipe! Will not use any others from now on. I was in charge of pies for Thanksgiving... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 9, 2004 by lil' menehune
Definitely one of the best pie crusts that I have ever made. I love to bake, but I tend to... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 7, 2003 by JAZZY-GIRL
Wonderful, flaky crust. If you've quit making pies because of what a hassle the crust is,... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on May 6, 2003 by CHERYLBH
Excellent! This is THE very BEST pie crust I have ever made! I didn't use the cake... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 20, 2006 by Alvor
Thanks for the recipe. For 35 years I have only made pastry using a pound of lard. The... MORE
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 0 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 2, 2003 by Pamm