Best 12 Classic Pie Crust Recipes

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Pie, a culinary delight enjoyed by people of all ages, is a versatile dish with a rich history. From the flaky, buttery crust to the delectable fillings, pies offer a symphony of flavors and textures that tantalize the taste buds. Our article presents a collection of classic pie crust recipes that serve as the foundation for a variety of mouthwatering pies.

1. **All-Butter Pie Crust:** This timeless recipe yields a golden-brown, flaky crust that pairs perfectly with both sweet and savory fillings. Made with a combination of butter, flour, and ice water, this crust is a staple in the kitchens of seasoned bakers.

2. **Vodka Pie Crust:** For a unique twist, try the vodka pie crust. The addition of vodka creates a tender, crisp crust with a delicate flavor. This crust is particularly well-suited for pies that require blind baking, as it helps prevent the formation of air bubbles.

3. **Sour Cream Pie Crust:** Experience the richness of sour cream in this pie crust recipe. The sour cream adds a subtle tang and helps create a moist, flavorful crust. This crust is an excellent choice for fruit pies, as it complements the sweetness of the filling.

4. **Cream Cheese Pie Crust:** Indulge in the velvety smoothness of a cream cheese pie crust. Made with cream cheese, butter, and flour, this crust has a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor. It pairs well with both sweet and savory fillings, making it a versatile option for a variety of pies.

5. **Whole Wheat Pie Crust:** For a healthier alternative, try the whole wheat pie crust. Made with whole wheat flour, this crust offers a nutty flavor and a wholesome texture. It's a great choice for those looking for a nutritious yet delicious pie crust option.

With these classic pie crust recipes at your fingertips, you'll be able to create an assortment of delectable pies that will impress your family and friends. From traditional fruit pies to savory meat pies, the possibilities are endless. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a delightful baking journey with our curated collection of pie crust recipes.

Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!

CLASSIC LARD TWO-CRUST PIE PASTRY



Classic Lard Two-Crust Pie Pastry image

The way a pie crust should be made.

Provided by SandraJ

Categories     Desserts     Pies     100+ Pie Crust Recipes     Pastry Crusts

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
⅔ cup lard
5 tablespoons ice water, or as needed

Steps:

  • Whisk flour and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in the lard with a knife or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, blending gently with a fork or pastry blender until all flour is moistened and dough almost cleans the sides of the bowl. Divide the dough in half and shape flattened rounds. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 267.8 calories, Carbohydrate 23.8 g, Cholesterol 16.2 mg, Fat 17.4 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 3.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 291.6 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

CLASSIC CRISCO PIE CRUST



Classic Crisco Pie Crust image

Make and share this Classic Crisco Pie Crust recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Crisco Recipes

Categories     Dessert

Time 10m

Yield 1 pie

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/3 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick well-chilled Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks or 1/2 cup well-chilled Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
3 -6 tablespoons ice cold water
2 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 stick well-chilled Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks or 3/4 cup well-chilled Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
4 -8 tablespoons ice cold water
2 2/3 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick well-chilled Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks or 1 cup well-chilled Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
6 -10 tablespoons ice cold water

Steps:

  • BLEND flour and salt in medium mixing bowl.
  • CUT chilled shortening into 1/2-inch cubes. Cut in chilled shortening cubes into flour mixture, using a pastry blender, in an up and down chopping motion, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some small pea-sized pieces remaining.
  • SPRINKLE half the maximum recommended amount of ice cold water over the flour mixture. Using a fork, stir and draw flour from bottom of bowl to the top, distributing moisture evenly into flour. Press chunks down to bottom of bowl with fork. Add more water by the tablespoon, until dough is moist enough to hold together when pressed together.
  • Test dough for proper moistness by squeezing a marble-sized ball of dough in your hand. If it holds together firmly, do not add any additional water. If the dough crumbles, add more water by the tablespoonful, until dough is moist enough to form a smooth ball when pressed together.
  • SHAPE dough into a ball for single pie crust. Divide dough in two for double crust or double deep dish crust, one ball slightly larger than the other. Flatten ball(s) into 1/2-inch thick round disk(s).
  • For ease in rolling, wrap dough in plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
  • ROLL dough (larger ball of dough for double crust pie) from center outward with steady pressure on a lightly floured work surface (or between two sheets of wax or parchment paper) into a circle 2-inches wider than pie plate for the bottom crust. Transfer dough to pie plate by loosely rolling around rolling pin. Center the rolling pin over the pie plate, and then unroll, easing dough into pie plate.
  • For a SINGLE pie crust, trim edges of dough leaving a 3/4-inch overhang. Fold edge under. Flute dough as desired. Bake according to specific recipe directions.
  • For a DOUBLE pie crust, roll larger disk for bottom crust, trimming edges of dough even with outer edge of pie plate. Fill unbaked pie crust according to recipe directions. Roll out smaller dough disk. Transfer dough carefully onto filled pie. Trim edges of dough leaving a 3/4-inch overhang. Fold top edge under bottom crust. Press edges together to seal and flute as desired. Cut slits in top crust or prick with fork to vent steam. Bake according to specific recipe directions.
  • Two Methods for Pre-baking Pie Crusts (Cream Pies):.
  • Pre-baking without weights: Thoroughly prick bottom and sides of unbaked pie dough with fork (50 times) to prevent it from blistering or rising. Bake crust in lower third of oven, at 425°F, 10-12 minutes or until edges and bottom are golden brown.
  • Pre-baking with weights: Thoroughly prick bottom and sides of unbaked pie dough with fork (50 times) to prevent it from blistering or rising. Chill or freeze for 30 minutes. Line pie dough snugly with foil or parchment paper. Fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. Remove foil and weights. Reduce oven to 350°F Bake 5-10 minutes or until edges and bottom are golden brown.

CLASSIC TWO CRUST APPLE PIE



Classic Two Crust Apple Pie image

Sometimes simple is better. To my taste buds this applies to apple pie. There is nothing in this pie to overpower or detract from the apples. The best pie apples are ones you probably wouldn't pick to eat out-of-hand. For most people, they're too tart and too hard. Use those for your pies. Prep time does not include making pie crust.

Provided by sugarpea

Categories     Pie

Time 1h30m

Yield 1 9inch pie, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 cups firmly textured tart apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 dash nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter
2 (9 inch) pie crusts

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Peel, core and thinly and thickly slice the apples; toss with lemon juice if using.
  • Combine and mix apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg; pour into crust-lined pie plate; dot with butter.
  • Place top crust, seal and vent; cover edges of crust with narrow band of aluminum foil, shiny side out.
  • Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes; reduce temperature to 375°F and bake another 30-40 minutes until filling is bubbling and crust is nicely browned.
  • If necessary remove foil last 10 minutes to brown edges.

CLASSIC DOUBLE-CRUST APPLE PIE



Classic Double-Crust Apple Pie image

How to Make a Double Crust Apple Pie

Categories     Dessert     Bake     Thanksgiving     Apple     Fall     Bon Appétit     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Crust
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 tablespoons (about) ice water
Filling
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 3/4 pounds sweet apples, such as Spartan or Golden Delicious, peeled, cored, thinly sliced (about 5 1/2 cups)
1 3/4 pounds tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Pippin, peeled, cored, thinly sliced (about 5 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon plus large pinch of ground cinnamon
large pinch of ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
1 tablespoon whole milk

Steps:

  • For crust:
  • Whisk flour and salt in large bowl to blend. Add butter and shortening and rub in with fingertips until very coarse meal forms. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons water; toss until moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if mixture is dry. Gather dough into ball; divide in half. Flatten into disks. Wrap in plastic; chill at least 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Soften slightly at room temperature before using.)
  • For filling:
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch-diameter deep-dish glass pie dish with nonstick spray. Stir all apples, 3/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Let stand until juices form, about 15 minutes. Mix in flour.
  • Roll out 1 dough disk on lightly floured surface to 12-inch round. Place dough in prepared pie dish. Spoon in filling; dot with butter. Roll out second dough disk to 13-inch round. Using small bottle cap, cut out ten 1/2-inch-diameter circles from dough for decoration; discard circles. Drape dough over filling. Seal top and bottom crust edges together; trim to 1/2-inch overhang. Fold overhang under; crimp decoratively. Brush pie with milk. Combine remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and large pinch of cinnamon in small bowl; sprinkle over pie.
  • Transfer pie to baking sheet; place in oven. Immediately reduce temperature to 375°F. Bake pie until crust is golden brown, apples are tender and filling is bubbling thickly, covering edge with foil if browning too quickly, about 2 hours. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover loosely; store at room temperature.)

CLASSIC CRISCO PIE CRUST



Classic Crisco Pie Crust image

This recipe is great for the novice pie crust maker. This is one of my favorite crust to make- works every time- it's the ICE water.

Provided by Pat Duran

Categories     Pies

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 c pillsbury best all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 c well chilled crisco butter flavor shortening sticks or from the can of butter flavor shortening
4-8 Tbsp ice cold water

Steps:

  • 1. Blend flour and slat in mixing bowl. Cut cubed chilled shortening into flour mixture using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces remaining. SPRINKLE half the maximum amount of ice water over flour mixture; mix gently with a fork. Add more water by the Tablespoon, mixing until dough holds together. DIVIDE dough into two with one ball slightly larger than the other. Flatten dough into 1/2 inch thick round disks, wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 30 minutes. PLACE larger disk of dough on lightly floured surface. With floured rolling pin, roll dough outward from center into circle 2-inches wider than pie plate. Ease bottom crust into pie plate and trim evenly around plate. Fill unbaked pie crust according to recipe directions. ROLL top pie crust; lift onto filled pie. Trim dough with 3/4-inch overhang; fold top edge under bottom crust. Press edges together and flute. Cut slits in top crust. BAKE pie according to recipe directions.

CLASSIC CHERRY PIE WITH A BUTTER CRUST



Classic Cherry Pie with a Butter Crust image

Small holes cut into the top crust give a sneak preview of the filling.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Pie & Tarts Recipes

Time 3h

Yield Makes one 9-inch pie

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pounds fresh sour (tart) cherries (or drained thawed frozen), pitted (6 cups)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Buttery Pate Brisee
All-purpose flour, for surface
1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon heavy cream, for egg wash

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make the filling: Toss together cherries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a bowl.
  • Make the crust: Roll out 1 disk pate brisee to a 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Fit dough into a 9-inch pie plate. Pour in filling; dot top with butter. Refrigerate while making top crust.
  • Roll remaining disk pate brisee to a 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut out 4 or 5 holes using a 3/4-inch round cookie cutter. Place on top of pie.
  • Trim bottom and top crusts to a 1-inch overhang using kitchen shears, and press together to seal around edges. Fold edges under; crimp as desired. Freeze for 20 minutes.
  • Brush crust with egg wash. Bake pie on a parchment-lined baking sheet set on the middle rack, with a foil-lined baking sheet on bottom rack to catch juices, until pie is bubbling in center and crust is golden, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Transfer pie to a wire rack, and let cool before serving.

MARK'S FAVORITE CLASSIC DOUBLE-CRUST APPLE PIE



Mark's Favorite Classic Double-Crust Apple Pie image

Tart apples and sweet ones come together in this all-American favorite. Prep time includes cooling. Using your food processor to slice the apples will save time in preparation.

Provided by Bev I Am

Categories     Pie

Time 3h30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 cup chilled vegetable shortening, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
4 tablespoons ice water (about)
vegetable oil cooking spray
1 3/4 lbs sweet apples, such as spartan or golden delicious,peeled,cored,thinly sliced (about 5 1/2 cups)
1 3/4 lbs tart apples, such as granny smith or pippin,peeled,cored,thinly sliced (about 5 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup sugar, plus
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, plus
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
1 tablespoon whole milk

Steps:

  • For crust: Whisk flour and salt in large bowl to blend.
  • Add butter and shortening and rub in with fingertips until very coarse meal forms.
  • Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons water; toss until moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if mixture is dry.
  • Gather dough into ball; divide in half.
  • Flatten into disks.
  • Wrap in plastic; chill at least 1 hour.
  • (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Soften slightly at room temperature before using.) For filling: Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Spray 9-inch-diameter deep-dish glass pie dish with nonstick spray.
  • Stir all apples, 3/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and vanilla in large bowl to blend.
  • Let stand until juices form, about 15 minutes.
  • Mix in flour.
  • Roll out 1 dough disk on lightly floured surface to 12-inch round.
  • Place dough in prepared pie dish.
  • Spoon in filling; dot with butter.
  • Roll out second dough disk to 13-inch round.
  • Using small bottle cap, cut out ten 1/2-inch-diameter circles from dough for decoration; discard circles.
  • Drape dough over filling.
  • Seal top and bottom crust edges together; trim to 1/2-inch overhang.
  • Fold overhang under; crimp decoratively.
  • Brush pie with milk.
  • Combine remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and large pinch of cinnamon in small bowl; sprinkle over pie.
  • Transfer pie to baking sheet; place in oven.
  • Immediately reduce temperature to 375°F.
  • Bake pie until crust is golden brown, apples are tender and filling is bubbling thickly, covering edge with foil if browning too quickly, about 1 hour.
  • Cool 30 minutes.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.
  • (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover loosely; store at room temperature.).

PASTRY FOR CLASSIC DOUBLE-CRUST PIE



Pastry for Classic Double-Crust Pie image

You need only a handful of ingredients for this classic pie crust from our Test Kitchen. Add your family's favorite filling for a tantalizing treat.-Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield pastry for double-crust pie (9 or 10 inches).

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
6 to 7 tablespoons cold water

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in the shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half so that one ball is slightly larger than the other. Roll out larger ball to fit a 9-in. or 10-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate. Trim pastry even with edge., Pour desired filling into crust. Roll out second ball. Position over filling; cut slits in pastry. Trim pastry to 1 in. beyond edge of pie plate. Trim pastry to 1 in. beyond edge of pie plate. Fold top crust over bottom crust. Flute edges. Bake according to recipe directions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 260 calories, Fat 16g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 222mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

PASTRY FOR CLASSIC SINGLE-CRUST PIE



Pastry for Classic Single-Crust Pie image

If you want to try your hand at making pie pastry from scratch, give this traditional recipe from our Test Kitchen a try.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 30m

Yield 1 pastry shell (9 or 10 inches).

Number Of Ingredients 4

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
4 to 5 tablespoons cold water

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Roll out to fit a 9-in. or 10-in pie plate. , Transfer crust to pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond rime of plate; flute edge. Fill or bake crust according to recipe directions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 144 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 148mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

CLASSIC PIE CRUST



Classic Pie Crust image

Categories     Dessert     Freeze/Chill     Parade

Yield Makes enough for an 8- or 9-inch double-crust pie

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
4 to 5 tablespoons ice water

Steps:

  • 1. Combine the flour and salt in a food processor. Add the shortening; pulse the machine on and off until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
  • 2. With the machine running, trickle in 4 tablespoons of ice water through the feed tube, until the dough just gathers together. (If the dough seems dry, add up to 1 tablespoon more of ice water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time.) Divide the dough in half, forming each half into a thick disk. Wrap each disk in plastic; refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill.
  • 3. Remove half the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured work surface or between 2 sheets of wax paper to form a circle about 1/8-inch thick and 2 inches larger than the pie plate. (Work quickly, as the dough can become sticky.) With the help of a spatula, gently transfer the dough to a pie plate, pressing it lightly into the plate to fit. If the dough should tear, just press it together gently. Trim the dough, leaving a 1-inch overhang. If making a single-crust pie, turn the edge under and flute it decoratively.
  • 4. Repeat for a top crust or for another bottom crust. The circle for a top crust should be 9 inches for an 8-inch pie and 10 inches for a 9-inch pie.
  • 5. Follow the individual pie recipes for filling and baking.

CLASSIC CRISCO PIE CRUST RECIPE



Classic Crisco Pie Crust Recipe image

Provided by bubbles7380

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 cups four
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter flavored shortening
4 to 8 Tablespoons ICE COLD water

Steps:

  • Blend flour and salt in mixing bowl cut cubed shortening into flour mixture using a pastry blender mixture should resemble coarse crumbs with pea size pieces sprinkle half the maximum amount of ice water one flour mixture mix gently with a fork add more water by the Tablespoon mixing until dough holds together divide dough into two with one ball slightly larger than the other flatten dough into 1/2 inch thick round disk on lightly floured surface with rolling pen roll dough outward from center into circle 2 inch wider than pie plate ease bottom crust into pie pan and trim evenly around pan fill UNBAKED pie crust according to recipe directions roll top pie crust lift onto filled pie, trim dough with 3/4 inch overhang fold top edge under bottom crust press edges together and flute cut slits in top crust bake pie according to recipe directions

CLASSIC PIE CRUST



Classic Pie Crust image

This is basically "Crisco's" recipe. It calls for chilled Crisco and Ice water. However, I have found that it works find if it's not cold. The main thing of importance is the use of the Pasty Blender Tool and to cut up the shortening as fine as possible.

Provided by Jaylene Mattocks

Categories     Pies

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 1/4 c all purpose flour
1/2 c shortening
1/2 tsp salt
3 to 4 Tbsp water

Steps:

  • 1. In large mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients.
  • 2. Dump in the shortening.
  • 3. Use the Pastry Blender Tool to cut up the shortening into the flour mixture. Keep cutting until it resembles course cornmeal.
  • 4. Add cold water by the tablespoons and mix and mash with the back of a spoon. Add water until a firm dough forms.
  • 5. Scoop the dough up with your hands and roll into a ball.
  • 6. Sprinkle flour onto your rolling surface and rub flour on your Rolling Pin.
  • 7. Place dough onto the rolling surface and cover slightly with some flour and use Rollin Pin to roll the dough out into a circle large enough to fill the pie plate and there should be some extra dough over the edge of the place to create an edge.
  • 8. Carefully lift the crust, using your entire forearm, and place into the Pie Plate.
  • 9. Fold under the extra dough edges and use fingers to mold, even out and form a thick edge.
  • 10. Use fingers and thumbs to pinch and create a design or smash with tines of a forks to create a lines design.
  • 11. Brush edges of crust with beaten egg yolks for a golden, glossy look.

Tips:

  • Use cold butter: Cold butter is easier to work with and will help to create a flakier crust.
  • Work quickly: The more you handle the dough, the tougher it will become. Work quickly to get the dough into the pie plate.
  • Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough will make it tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Chill the dough before baking: Chilling the dough before baking will help to prevent it from shrinking.
  • Bake the pie in a preheated oven: A preheated oven will help to ensure that the pie crust cooks evenly.
  • Don't overbake the pie: Overbaking the pie will make the crust dry and crumbly.

Conclusion:

Making a classic pie crust is a simple process that can be mastered with a little practice. By following these tips, you can create a flaky, delicious pie crust that will make your pies the star of the show.

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