Follow the steps…
Pie crust is easy if you follow a few simple steps
-I suggest always gathering ingredients before you start. No one wants to make pie filling, heat up the oven and then find out they have zero flour in the house! Gather first, then bake.
-Use Crisco for baking, I like half regular flavor and half butter flavor (not butter, just Butter Flavor Crisco) for the flakiest crust ever. If you want your crust to taste like Grandma’s- use shortening!
-Follow the recipe directions exactly.
Practice time
Tools of the trade
This post has been updated from the original post published in 2008. I’ve included directions and alterations to the original recipe for successful blind baking pie crust.
Best Basic Flaky Pie Crust
Best Basic Flaky Pie Crust
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour all purpose
- 1 teaspoon salt I like sea salt
- 1 cup shortening less for single blind baked crust, see recipe notes**
- ½ cup very cold water more may be needed*
Instructions
-
Mix flour and salt.
-
Cut in shortening with pastry blender or knives using a cutting motion, no stirring, only a short cutting motion to form small pebble like pieces with flour, shortening and salt.
-
Add 1/2 cup water all at once.
-
Fold ingredients with fork until flour is absorbed and dough comes together. If needed, add more cold water, a tablespoon or two at a time, until the dough resembles something similar to biscuit dough. It should be damp, but not sticky. Do not add too much water.
-
Divide dough in half for two pie crusts. The dough should be soft and not sticky. If sticky, roll in a bit of flour.
-
Flour surface and rolling pin well. I use about 1/4 or more cups of flour on surface and spread in circle. Keep the rolling pin floured.
-
Flatten dough with hand to make round disc shape.
-
Roll out from center to about 1/8” thickness. Place the pie plate on top of the dough. The dough should be rolled out approximately 2 1/2 inches past the edge of the pie plate, to allow for the dough to sink into the corner of the pie plate, and also extend over the edge of the plate so an outer crust is easily formed.
-
Fold dough in half, lift onto pie plate.
-
Open and shape to pan, make sure to gently press the pastry into the corner of the pie plate.
-
Cut off excess dough if making a single pie crust. If making a pie to be baked with filling, fill the pie shell, top with crust if desired (if making apple or other fruit pies). Follow pie recipe directions.
If baking for single crust pie, follow directions below for Single Blind Baked Crust.
To bake a single crust:
-
Alter the recipe above to use 5-6 tablespoons of Crisco, instead of 8 tablespoons. This will help your crust to stay in place and not shrink! The crust will still be flaky and easy to handle, but your shrinkage will be less.
-
It is important when baking a single crust to form the edges of the pie to the very edge of the pie plate. Do not skimp on dough on the edge of the crust. You want to have a thick layer of crust in order to prevent shrinkage. I sometimes use about 3/4 of the crust recipe for a single pie crust if I want to make a crust with a pronounced edge.
-
Poke holes in the bottom and sides of the crust to prevent bubbles from forming in crust.
-
Turn oven to 500 degrees. Yes, 500! The oven should be very hot when you place the crust into the oven. Preheat for at least 15 minutes. (I like to preheat for 30 minutes).
-
Place the formed pie shell into your refrigerator (or better yet freezer) for 30 minutes, uncovered.
-
After the crust has been refrigerated or placed in freezer, bake for 7-10 minutes in preheated oven on CENTER rack. I bake on center rack for a single crust.
-
Keep an eye on your crust through the window in your oven( if you have one) after about the 5-6 minute mark. The crust is done in about 8 minutes in my oven if I am baking two single crusts at once. Baking time will vary depending on the oven. YOu may need a little more or less baking time.
-
Remove from oven and let cool completely after baking. This crust will stay fresh for 2 days on the countertop in a dry climate.
Recipe Notes
-Dough will be easier to handle if chilled for an hour or so if you are a beginner baker. Not necessary, but it may help in handling of dough.
-Try rolling the dough around the rolling pin and then unrolling right onto the plate.
-I always use ½ regular and ½ Butter Flavor Crisco. Note this is not butter, Butter Flavor Crisco.
-Some people like to “cut” the flour in with their fingers.
-Don’t cut the flour and shortening too much, the pieces of shortening are what make the crust flaky.
-If your pie is getting too brown on the edges, take a piece of foil, fold in half to make a square then cut a half circle out of the middle. Unfold and put over your pie.
-Brush beaten egg or egg white over your pie dough before filling with pumpkin to avoid soggy crust.
-Preheating the oven is essential when blind baking. The oven is ready for baking when the oven is heated to 500 degrees for over 15 minutes after reaching temperature.
-The amount of water will vary in they recipe depending on many factors: the brand of flour used, the type of shortening, the temperature of your kitchen, the bowl used for mixing, the water temperature and how you mix in the water after the shortening has been cut into the four. You may need additional water. Add a little at a time, making sure to never stir, use a folding motion when adding water.
-This recipe freezes well. You may roll out the dough onto pie plate and freeze immediately. Wrap with a piece of parchment paper on top of pie crust, then use Saran Wrap or slip pie plate into a large ziplock bag. When ready to use, do not thaw, just fill and bake or blind bake. You may also bake the pie crust, let cool completely and freeze. When ready to fill, let thaw and fill.
-You may freeze crust after wrapping into single crust portions. When I make a batch of dough, I split in half and make a disc shape, then wrap in Saran Wrap tightly. When ready to use, thaw in refrigerator or on counter top for about an hour. Roll out and bake as directed.
-I highly recommend glass Pyrex pans for baking, especially for beginner bakers. The glass makes it easy to see when the bottom crust is browned. The exception to this is if you are freezing a pie completely, and then baking. I highly recommend using a good quality metal pie plate when freezing pies.
I do “love” near by…how did you know.
Your Republican comment made me burst out laughing….You are funny
ME
This is awesome. Thank you!
Thank you! Making this and your blueberry pie tomorrow!!
Do I need to double this recipe if the pie I’m making needs a top crust?
Do I put the pie crust in the oven at 500 while it’s warming up to 500, or after the oven has been heated to 500?
Alexandra, After the oven has been heated to 500. Sorry i missed this comment earlier!
I tried this and it worked pretty well. I made a quiche with it. My custard mixture leaked through to the bottom of the pie plate . . . any thoughts on how to prevent that?
Beth,
Make sure you don’t roll the pastry too thin. I haven’t had that issue with quiche! Also make sure there are no tears or holes in the crust before filling!
xo
Si
Another question about the temp of the oven, sorry! So once my oven reaches 500 do I leave it at 500 while the pie is baking? Or do I turn the oven off once it reaches 500 then put the pie in?
Brooke,
Yes leave it on to 500 while baking. Watch the pie carefully, it cooks quickly!
xo
Si
You picture looks like there’s is also butter in the recipe. Is there suppose to be?
I’m not Si, but I noticed in the notes that what you saw was 1/2 regular Crisco and 1/2 butter flavored Crisco.
Natalie,
You’re right! I find 1/2 regular and 1/2 butter flavored Crisco gives the crust a beautiful color as well as flavor.
Thanks for reading ABK!
xo,
Si
Do you cook pie crusts on a baking sheet or just on the rack side by side?
Allie,
Side by side in the oven with no baking sheet. I hope these directions are helpful!
xo,
Si
Hi Si,
I adore all of your pies! I’m anxious to make my first one for Thanksgiving. Your Apple pie recipe has me smitten! Would this work for your Apple pie recipe (with the big lattice crust top) xoxo
Steph,
Yes, This is my go-to recipe for pie crust. How did it turn out for you?
I hope your Thanksgiving was fantastic.
Thanks for reading ABK!
xo,
Si
Hey Kacie- I believe what you are seeing is the butter flavored Crisco – she used half regular flavor and half butter flavored Crisco.
Steph,
Yes, you’re right. I like the flavor and color of using 1/2 regular and 1/2 butter.
Thanks for your comment!
xo,
Si
Great pie crust, and I like using the half butter flavored and half regular Crisco. I’m using this recipe for your apple cranberry pie tomorrow!
Trisha,
I hope your apple cranberry pie was a hit this Thanksgiving!
Thanks!
xo,
Si
Your recipe says 1 cup shortening and you later reference 6-8 tablespoons depending on the pie you’re making. I’m confused because there are 16 T in one Crisco stick and one stick is one cup. So which is it? 1 cup or 6 T?
Jenny,
The recipe posted will make two crusts. I use 8 Tbsp (1/2 cup) each of butter flavored Crisco and regular Crisco for the recipe.
If you would like to make a single crust, the ingredients would be halved- except for the Crisco. I reduce the Crisco to 6 Tbsp and not 8 Tbsp.
I love how easy this crust is to work with. Give it a try!
XO,
Si
Can you make the crust ahead of time and freeze?
Rebecca,
yes, you can make ahead and either roll out into the pie plates and freeze or simply put the dough into disc shapes and wrap tightly and freeze. When ready to use, thaw and bake.
thanks for reading ABK!
xo
Si
Do you ever use a food processor for your crust? Does it overwork the dough too much?
Love your recipes!
Hi Alyson, I usually just make the dough by hand, I think the food processor would overwork it. Thanks for asking!
xo
Si
What are your thoughts on refrigerating the dough 24 hours in advance? Would that effect the crust at all?
Hi Emrey, you can refrigerate the dough 24 hours in advance. That won’t effect the crust at all. Thanks for asking!
xo
Si
I am no pro at making pie crust but all of your tips make it pretty darn easy! I love the texture and flavor that the crisco gives the crust!
She is the queen of pie crusts! Still need to practice to make mine look as beautiful as hers, but I don’t think anyone will complain having more pie around! Thanks for sharing your talent
This has become my go to pie crust recipe! Works well with butter when I run out of crisco.
I’ve been using the same Betty Crocker pie crust recipe since I was a teenager- until two Thanksgivings ago when I tried yours! I trusted it because I’ve loved every recipe I’ve tried from your site. This pie crust was just as flaky but way easier to work with, and held it’s shape much better, so it looked prettier. Another incredible ABK recipe for the books!
I was so nervous to make my first pie, but this made it incredibly easy. I even cheated a bit by using a food processor and it turned out great!
Sometime in the 80’s, one of the local Salt Lake stations did a segment on making pie crusts and this was the exact recipe they used. It was my go-to recipe ever after until they changed the formula on Crisco and the Butter flavor was too strong (I used all Butter flavor originally). Using half regular and half butter is genius. I can use this recipe again! Love your website. Very well done!
I agree Linda, using both is definitely the trick for a perfectly flaky crust. Thanks for sharing and for reading ABK!
xo
Si
Your tip to use 3/4 of the recipe for single crust converted my from a pie crust buyer to a ie crust maker….finally!!! Thank you!
You’re very welcome Chris! Thanks for sharing and for reading ABK,
Si
Si,
do you convection bake at 500* or conventional bake the pie crust?
Hi Katy, I set it too 500 degrees on regular bake. Thanks for asking!
xo
Si
I’m wondering about putting a glass pie plate that has been chilling in the fridge or freezer into a 500 degree oven…how do you avoid having the glass shatter/break?
Hi Dani, if you have a Pyrex pie plate or oven safe one, you shouldn’t have to worry about the glass breaking. Thanks for asking!
xo
Si
Thanks for the quick reply! I do have Pyrex, but always thought you couldn’t put any cold glass dish in a hot oven. Good to know!
Dani,
I want to clarify this. If you are freezing for a long period of time, you should use a metal pan instead of a glass pie plate. When I place a crust into the freezer to just firm up the crust, for 30-60 minutes, I don’t worry about the pie plate shattering. If you are freezing for a few hours, it is best to use a metal pan!
I know it will be a great pie crust because I use the same recipe w/o the salt & have been since 1972, when I was given this recipe when I was up in AK. So… here’s the deal, when I use a glass pie plate the crust slides down the sides BEFORE I can put in the filling… think of satin sliding off the ironing board or the sewing machine table… forget the “shrinking” stuff… that is not my issue. Not an issue w/metal plates but since the metal quality being used today seems to be questionable (discoloration & etc.), I want to go to glass or ceramic. Am I the only person this is happening to?? Has no one else had this problem or do they know the “trick to make it stick”? I am so frustrated!! Please, can you help?
Try using 2 tablespoons less of the shortening! I think this will solve your problem.
Failproof Recipe that works every time. I have used this recipe for a few years with great success!
Thanks Amber! Glad you love this pie crust as much as we do!
xo
Si
I have tried soooo many pie crust recipes, but have never found one that holds its shape during a blind bake. This is the first one that is truly failproof! It was very easy, tasted delicious, and looked as perfect coming out of the oven as it did going in. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you found it helpful, Kimmi! Thanks for sharing and for reading ABK,
xo
Si
Making pie crust always intimidated me until I found this recipe. Only 3 ingredients and with the step by step pictures with tips, it made the process easy and yummy. I usually make this crust when I’m making apple pie but I’ve also made it when making a cream pie. Just be sure to follow the tips because the first time I made single blind bake crust I made it the same way I made the filled pie crust and my crust shrunk some. After following the tips, I haven’t had anymore problems.
I’m so glad to hear that, Rachael! And the tips are what really make this pie crust turn out really well. Thanks for sharing,
xo
Si
I finally made a successful pie crust! Thank you so much for this recipe—I had almost given up on making homemade pie crust. The dough was so easy to work with and tasted so good with the butter flavored Crisco.
I’m so glad to hear that, Sara! Pie crusts can be difficult but my goal was to make this method easy and fool-proof. Thanks for sharing and for reading ABK,
xo
Si
This recipe is so yummy! The crust is easy to make! It rolls out nicely and makes the most moist, flakey crust! We used to use a food processor which I believe makes it more tough compared to the way this one is done! It’s truly so good if you make sure not to work the dough too much and follow the recipe!
I agree, Noel, one of the biggest mistakes I see is over-working the dough, especially if you use a food processor. Thanks so much for sharing!
xo
Si
I used this recipe using my food processor and it turned out perfect! Best pie crust I’ve ever made. Super easy and the dough was easy to work with. It’ll be my go to recipe from now on!!
I have to say I have worked with MANY different pie crust recipes over the years and this is officially my go to crust!! It was so beautiful to put together, soft and felt lighter than most. The trick is to just be gentle don’t be in a hurry, I used this for my pumpkin pie that I make during the holidays and I added maple syrup to my egg wash and it added something extra that was amazing to it! I highly recommend this!
The Most Trusted Online Gambling Site
Online soccer gambling sport continues to be one of the better gaming
classes which includes never been lacking of
bettor. One of them is SBOBET Indonesia’s gambling site, which
will be popular among most Indonesian people combined with
the popularity of soccer in this country.
This specific also makes the on-line service provider sites mushroom within the natural world.
Although Indonesia is actually a country that will prohibits gambling activities,
that does not mean of which its citizens who are fans of online betting
games cannot access these kinds of games.
Due to rapidly developing internet technology you may now directly place
a number of00 bets on online sports gambling sites such because Asian Handicap, HT and
FT, Parlay, etc. A person can safely access just about all of these games via gambling services provided by simply Depobola.
Depobola is a trusted agent site that will provides various types regarding
options including soccer betting. Sportsbook games provided simply by Depobola all come from leading gambling providers such as SBOBET and IBCBET.
In other words, just about all the games that you could locate on Depobola are regarding
international standard with rivalling odds. And here depobola as an online football agent acts as a portal that connects fans of sportsbook games in Indonesia with the greatest gambling services in Asian countries and even the
world.
Trustworthy SBOBET and IBCBET Sports Gambling Sites
The two best gambling companies that provide soccer gambling online
games to date are SBOBET and IBCBET.
SBOBET
Started in 2004, SBOBET is a new company that has a new
base in Asia. Functioning in the Asian area with a CEZA-First Cagayan license obtained from typically the Philippines and an OGRA license from the Department
of Man. SBOBET has been a sponsor of England’s top football teams
such as West Ham Usa, Cardiff Cityy, Swansea Town, Southampton and many
even more.
Last season and 2010 SBOBET Indonesia received an prize as “Asian Operator associated with the Year” from eGaming Review Magazine and
came into into the list of the particular 50 most
influential businesses by EGR Magazine from number 11.
SBO
IBCBET better known named Maxbet is the largest operator in Asia
and 1 of the most significant bookmakers inside the world.
It is often broadly recognized throughout the planet thanks to very high betting limits and offers live betting with very
competitive odds.
Provides the best online sportsbook game upon the market and
a lot more than 20 sports of which players can use because betting objects in typically the game.
Advantages of Depobola as a Football Wagering Site
Choosing a football agent as a play companion can not be irrelavent
because it must spend attention to some important requirements
that must be met as the finest and most trusted soccer agent.
Therefore, your task whenever choosing a partner
site will be not a simple job and may consume a lot
regarding energy.
To simplify your current work, we recommend the Depobola site
like a gambling agent site which was proven to serve countless customers professionally and meet essential
requirements as the greatest official gambling agent within Indonesia, including:
Online customer support 24 hours a day time, 7 days a week.
players need not worry any time facing difficulties or confusion during play because they can always contact
the customer service for assist or guidance.
The minimum deposit is low thus there’s no need to hesitate if the player will certainly try the game.
Additionally , the available deposit methods also provide maximum comfort and ease and
security for customers. With regard to players who are not comfortable making
deposits through company accounts, players can choose the down payment method through the OVO service.
Variants of typically the game are extremely complete in order to ensure
players do not really experience boredom while playing with us.
There usually are many forms of exciting online betting options provided simply by
well-known gambling sites.
Typically the best bonuses and promos that will give you more profit when actively playing with us.
You can adhere to these bonuses and advertisements in a simple and complete, utter, absolute, wholehearted
way!
All betting sport products provided by Depobola are fully secure
and have been officially licensed by SBOBET and IBCBET.
Trustworthy Online Sbobet Casino Broker
Sbobet Casino is a kind of online casino gambling game that has mushroomed in Indonesia.
Players no longer need to go from their benches to play
casino gambling, because now with the advancement in technology the gambling industry has now entered a new phase
known as online gambling. Present Sbobet supplier as
the best betting promoter in Asia with the internet
betting method certainly provides more advantages because it
is readily available to you wherever and when you want
it.
Using live streaming technology broadcast live from the Philippines
online casino with a betting system directly from the display
of your device, Bola tangkas Casino uses
a superior quality server and casino platform that
has passed studies and meets international specifications with an official
license from PAGCOR First Cigayan.
Any time talking about gambling, of course sportsbook and casino games are the sauber donna in this business.
Most soccer fans and Sbobet Casino spend more time in these two game categories,
especially on the soccer markets such as Asian Handicap for the gambling category of poker and poker online games for casino.
Uniquely in Indonesia, which is one of the countries that
prohibits gambling activities, Sgd777 gambling companies cannot touch their customers in Indonesia directly.
Therefore, the supplier needs an agent that provides a liaison. Therefore Depobola exists as an broker of Sbobet Casino, offering you access to the creation of an established
Sbobet Casino online account that you can use to join all the
games provided on the official website. The variety of the best games that you can find and you could play
here. From gambling to baccarat, blackjack,
roulette, to the most popular games on earth.
Why Depobola?
Until now there have been millions of recognized members who registered
through Depobola, besides its easy and convenient registration, through the official Sbobet
real estate agent you can also get various benefits that are not able
to be extracted from other places, including:
– The financial transactions such as build up and withdrawals can be done in a
short time or even merely a matter of minutes. Accommodating various types of deposit
methods, players can even make debris through OVO services!
– We provide complete game variants, not only games from the Sbobet site
but in addition other services such as Nova88, Isin4D, 338A,
Tangkas and Poker, as well as many other types of products.
– Depobola customer service is always online twenty-four hours a day every week.
So, no matter when a player is playing or facing difficulties, our customer support will always be ready to help users provide the best solution.
– All kinds of products offered are all of international standard and are made certain to have the best
quality software in its school.
– Money that players get in the game will almost always be paid whatever the amount without any minimum
or maximum limits.
– Prepared with informative features such as
play guides, match predictions to the latest information related to the game.
– Member personality is guaranteed safe and can not be leaked to the general public.
– To join the online soccer betting game and Sbobet On line casino Online, as well
as other exciting games with us, all you need to do is click on the “register” button located over
a homepage of this site.
Register yourself now, join us and revel in the most exciting online gambling experience with millions of other users worldwide
only with us all. Have a nice play!
Situs Daftar Joker123 Online
Today, gambling online games have evolved into something fun, anxious at the same
time bring many benefits. Maybe you are usually one of the particular many people sense bored when in home because there
is no action, if you need entertainment activities of which
fill the moment while at residence, the answer is playing gambling online.
To be able to be able to be able to enjoy gambling online
online games, of course the vital thing to do will be to find a very good in addition to most trusted site that works extremely
well being a play partner, among our recommended sites is Joker123.
For those of you who don’t need to get caught up within cyber crime plus don’t
want to take the time buying a trusted gambling site, you can just daftar joker123 via Betberry.
This is the easiest pie crust recipe I have ever used. Before this pie crust I avoided pies that needed a top because they always fell apart on me when trying to transfer from rolling out to getting in the dish or on top. However, last Thanksgiving several pies looked so good I wanted to try them. When I followed the instructions, it worked beautifully!! Truly, try making pie crust again if it has always been a disaster before. It works! Oh, and the taste! It is a great tasting, beautifully flaky, pie crust. (Now I just need to work on my fluting) Thank you Si!!
Can this recipe be doubled?
When you are blind baking a single crust, do you use pie weights?