How to Make a Perfect Pie Crust From Scratch

Everyone loves pie, but most would argue that it tastes even better when the crust is rich and buttery with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Making pie crust from scratch is the best way to guarantee your guests will rave about your holiday desserts this year. If you’ve never made one yourself, don’t worry. Follow our simple guide below to learn how to make a perfect butter pie crust from scratch.

See more: 9 Perfect Pies for Your Thanksgiving Feast

What Is Butter Pie Crust?

Ask any pastry chef and they can probably recite all the types of pastry dough to you. But all you need to know about a butter pie crust is that it is considered a flaky dough. It’s most commonly associated with cutting butter into a mixture of flour and salt.

What You’ll Need to Make Butter Pie Crust

Intimidated by the idea of making pie crust from scratch? Traditional butter crusts are easier to make than you might imagine. You probably already have all the ingredients you need on hand:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cold butter, diced (Tip: place your butter in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before getting started for best results.)
• ¼ cup ice-cold water

See more: How to Cook a Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey

How to Make Butter Pie Crust

1. Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
2. Use a pastry cutter, food processor or your fingers to cut in the diced and chilled butter until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of ice-cold water at a time until the dough just begins to come together.
4. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the fridge for at least 4 hours. (Overnight is even better.)
5. Remove the dough from the fridge and let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to soften.
6. Flour a rolling pin and work surface. Roll the dough out until it is a little larger than your pie dish.
7. Let the dough rest for five minutes, then carefully transfer it to your pie dish, pressing it against the bottom and sides.
8. Follow your pie recipe as directed. (And take care to see if your recipe requires pre-baking the crust.)

Recipes

Try out your homemade pie crust as a base for these easy and delicious pie recipes:

• Butternut Squash Pie
• Sea Salt Kissed Chocolate Pie
• Classic Cherry Pie
• Classic Coconut Cream Pie
• The Best Pumpkin Pie