Grandmother's Pie Crust
This delightful pie crust is a family classic, combining nostalgia with simplicity to create a light and crisp base for your favorite fillings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups flour This forms the backbone, providing structure and tenderness.
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar Acts as a stabilizer, ensuring your crust is flaky.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt Enhances flavor for a perfect balance.
- 1 tablespoon vinegar Offers tang and moisture, creating elasticity in the dough.
- 1 1/2 cups Crisco Vegetable shortening key for a tender, flaky texture.
- 4 to 8 tablespoons very cold water Chills the dough to help it come together.
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients on a clean countertop, ensuring your Crisco is nice and cold for the best results.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.
- Add the cold Crisco to the flour mixture, and using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the Crisco into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the well-beaten egg and vinegar.
- Gradually add the egg and vinegar mixture to the flour and Crisco blend, mixing gently.
- Add the cold water a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Avoid overworking the dough.
- Divide the dough in half and shape into discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness.
Notes
For best results, ensure all ingredients are cold. Consider adding sugar or spices for variations. Store leftover crust tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.