Pie Pastry How to and Tips

May 31, 2023May 31, 20230 2

Perfectly Flaky Pie Pastry Recipe with Tips

by The Chefin Pastry

Prep

15 min

Cook

0 min

Ready In

45 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
	1/4 teaspoon salt
	1/2 1/2 cup vegetable shortening or 1/2 cup combination of shortening and butter , chilled
	3 tablespoons ice water

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

225

Sugar

Fat

15g

Pie pastry is an essential component of many different types of pies, from fruit pies to savory quiches. Homemade pastry dough can seem daunting, but it's really quite simple and can be customized to suit your tastes. This recipe uses a combination of all-purpose flour and shortening to create a perfectly flaky and tender crust. The dough can be used for both sweet and savory pies, making it an incredibly versatile recipe. Whether you are making an apple pie or a quiche, this recipe is sure to impress.

Instructions

1.	In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2.	Add the chilled shortening and use a pastry blender to cut it into the flour mixture until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
3.	Add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix gently until the dough just comes together.
4.	Gather the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disc, and wrap it in plastic wrap.
5.	Chill the pastry dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
6.	Tips:
7.	Use ice water and chilled fat to keep the dough cold and prevent the fat from melting.
8.	Handle the dough as little as possible to prevent it from becoming tough.
9.	Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface, using light strokes to prevent it from tearing or sticking.
10.	Use a sharp knife or pastry wheel to trim the edges of the dough before filling.

PROS

Homemade pastry dough is easy to customize and gives pies a flaky and delicious crust.

This recipe is versatile and can be used for sweet or savory pies.

CONS

Making pastry dough from scratch can be time-consuming and can require some practice to get it just right.

This recipe uses shortening, which is high in saturated fat.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Pie pastry is not particularly healthy, but it can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in moderation.
Using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour can increase the fiber content of the dough.
Choosing a plant-based fat, such as coconut oil or avocado oil, can reduce the amount of saturated fat in the pastry dough.