Description
Legendary bakers treasure this perfect pie crust recipe for its flaky, buttery texture. Golden pastry creates delicate layers that complement sweet and savory fillings while offering bakers a reliable technique for exceptional homemade pies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¾ cups (397 grams) shortening
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) ice water
- 1 tbsp (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp (12.5 grams) sugar
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine flour, sugar, and shortening in a large mixing bowl, setting the stage for a delicate pie crust with precise texture and consistency.
- Mixing: Employ a pastry cutter or fork to systematically break down ingredients until they resemble fine, sandy crumbs that will create a flaky foundation.
- Egg Blending: Whisk the egg thoroughly in a separate vessel, creating a smooth, uniform liquid that will bind the dough with exceptional precision.
- Liquid Integration: Pour ice-cold water into the beaten egg, stirring until the mixture becomes completely homogeneous and ready for incorporation.
- Dough Formation: Gradually introduce the liquid mixture to the flour base, gently folding with a fork until a soft, malleable dough emerges, avoiding over-manipulation that could toughen the crust.
- Dough Shaping: Tenderly shape the dough into a compact, smooth sphere using clean hands, ensuring even distribution of ingredients and optimal structural integrity.
- Chilling Process: Securely wrap the dough in plastic film, then refrigerate for 15 minutes to relax the gluten, enhance rollability, and develop a supremely tender crust texture.
Notes
- Chill for Flakiness: Refrigerating the dough for exactly 15 minutes helps relax gluten, creating a more tender and flaky pie crust that melts in your mouth.
- Minimal Handling Matters: Work the dough gently and minimally to prevent tough, dense crust; light touches preserve the delicate, crumbly texture that makes pies irresistible.
- Water Temperature Counts: Using ice-cold water is crucial for maintaining solid fat particles, which create those coveted flaky layers during baking.
- Consistent Texture Technique: Breaking the shortening into small, pea-sized crumbs ensures even distribution and a uniform, delectable crust that bakes perfectly golden.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 1.4 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg