Perfectly Flaky Pie Crust Recipe

Perfectly flaky pie crust is essential for achieving a delicious and satisfying dessert. Whether you're making apple pie, lemon meringue, or any other favorite pie, having the right technique to create this flaky pastry can make all the difference in your baking experience.

The process of creating a perfectly flaky pie crust starts with combining ingredients like flour, shortening, and cold butter. The key is to keep everything as cold as possible while handling it so that when baked, tiny pockets of air form between layers of dough, resulting in a flaky texture.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 4-6 tablespoons ice water

Cooking Time: Preparation - about 10 minutes; Baking time varies depending on the filling you use.

Servings: This recipe serves approximately 8 people, though this number can vary based on the size of your pie pan and how big each slice is.

Instructions

1. Celebrate the beginning of fall with a rich apple pie that will warm you up from the inside out! To make this classic dessert, start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour and 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening. Mix until well combined.

3. Once the ingredients are uniformly mixed together, gradually add 3 tablespoons of chilled butter cubes into the mixture using your hands or a pastry cutter. Be sure to keep handling minimal to maintain coldness for better flaky layers.

4. Mix in 4-6 tablespoons of ice water while gently kneading until the dough starts coming together smoothly without being too wet. If the dough feels dry, add more ice water; if it's overly wet, add a bit more flour.

5. Once you have your dough ready, roll it out onto parchment paper or a floured surface to create two circles of equal size - one slightly larger than another for the top and bottom crusts. Ensure that both pieces are about 1/8-inch thick, but no thicker as this will make them more difficult to handle while baking.

6. Transfer your pie crust carefully onto a pie dish, ensuring there’s enough overhang on all sides so you can trim later after filling the pie. For an easier transition and better handling during baking, place a plate or pan on top of each circle before rolling them out to prevent dough from stretching unevenly.

7. For added flakiness, freeze your crust for about 20 minutes prior to blind-baking it; this helps set the structure while you prepare other components like filling. If desired, you can also use pre-made frozen pie shells instead of making one yourself from scratch!

Blind Baking Option

• Place your chilled, rolled-out dough in a prepared pie dish.
• Bake at 400°F (205°C) for about 12-15 minutes until the edges start to turn golden brown but do not over-bake or it will get soggy when filled later on.
• Remove the crust from oven, let cool slightly then place baking beans or dried beans inside the pie shell and return back into your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C).
• Bake for another 20 minutes until fully cooked through. Remove from oven to finish cooling completely before filling.

Once blind-baked, let it cool down properly which can take anywhere between 45-60 minutes depending upon your kitchen temperature and humidity levels.

Final Steps for Your Pie

8. Add your favorite filling like sweet apples, cherries, or custard mixture.

9. Cover the pie with the second piece of dough ensuring you leave some overhang as before. Seal by crimping or pressing edges together firmly so no juices escape during baking.

10. Cut several small slits on top to allow steam release while baking.

11. Bake your apple pie at 400°F (205°C) for approximately 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Adjust timing according to the type of filling used and its level of done-ness.

Let it rest once out of oven, let it cool down completely before serving so flavors meld together perfectly enhancing overall taste!