This Homemade Pie Crust is an old fashioned recipe that’s so easy, you’ll never buy a store bought one again. With only a handful of ingredients, you’ll have a delicious and easy pie crust in a matter of minutes. Useful for any recipe needing a crust such as fruit pies, pot pies, and more.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my policy about affiliate links.
Pies have been around for endless years, simply because they’re so versatile when it comes to using them. I mean, they can be used for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, brunch, snacks, second breakfast - I think you get the point. You can even make pie crust ahead of time and freeze them when you need them. This way, they’re just as convenient as store bought crusts.
Historians state that pie crusts and pies in general are credited to the Greeks. They were the inventors of the pastry shell, which is what a pie crust is. It’s a doughy shell meant to hold any type of ingredients, like the fruit in these Mini Cherry Pies. The pastry portion was a replacement for the bread in a meal, which was used to make the dish more filling. Plus, it took every part of a meal (popular more back in the day than now) and combined it into one recipe. I, for one, am thrilled this was carried through history as pies (of all kinds) are one of my favorite things in life.
How to Make a Homemade Pie Crust
Combine the ingredients - In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix well. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix with a fork until the mixture gets crumbly. At this point, switch to your hands and knead the mixture until it turns into a doughy consistency.
Roll out the dough - Knead the dough until it reaches a nice consistency and doesn’t stick to the side of the bowl anymore. If it’s not sticking together well, knead in a bit more water. Liberally flour a flat, clean surface and the rolling pin. Roll the dough into a large circle without rolling it too thin.
Form the crust - Gently pick up the crust and lay it over a greased pie pan. Gently coax it into place and cut away the excess dough. Go around the top edge of the dough, pinching it between your thumb and pointer finger making a crimp. Do this all the way around the pie.
Store or bake - Depending on how you’re using the pie, add the ingredients to the inside of the crust before baking, or store properly for later use.
Tips and Variations Easy Pie Crust
- Add some sugar or cinnamon - If you’re using the crust for a dessert such as fruit pie, you can sprinkle it with sugar or even add sugar in the dough mixture. You can use cinnamon in the same way as well. This only gives the crust a bit more flavor to match what it’s being used for.
- Freeze for later use - If you’re wanting a convenient pie crust on hand whenever you need it, simply make a few pie crusts and freeze them for later use. They will last up to 3 months in the freezer. Just be sure to properly store them wrapped tightly in plastic. If you stack the crust on top of each other, separate with some wax paper.
- If it’s too dry - Add a tablespoon more water at a time if the crust is cracking or isn’t sticking together well. Knead the water in thoroughly before adding more.
- If the crust is too gooey - Add in a couple tablespoons more flour at a time if your crust is gooey and sticky to things. Knead it in fully before adding more.
- If the crust sticks to the counter - If your crust is sticking to the counter, it’s too wet and you’ll want to rip it up and knead some more flour into it. Also, you’ll want to make sure your entire surface is covered in a layer of flour or the crust may stick.
Common Questions About Homemade Pie Crust
How Do You Make a Homemade Pie Crust Without Butter?
If you don’t have any butter, you can always use shortening in its place. Now, shortening isn’t as rich as butter and doesn’t have the same flavor. However, it definitely will do the trick. Simply use the same amount of shortening as the missing butter. If you have the choice, you can use butter flavored shortening as well - it works in the same manner. The shortening and butter act as a binding agent, so if you have neither of these, you can attempt to use similar ingredients such as lard in their place.
If you loved this Homemade Easy Pie Crust or have questions, feel free to comment below or hit me up on social media!
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love:
- The Best Vegan Apple Crisp
- The Best Vegan Coffee Cake
- Gluten-Free Hazelnut Honey Cookies
- Mint Chocolate Donut Recipe
- Chocolate Lemon Tart
Homemade Pie Crust
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup salted butter chilled
- ⅓ cup crisco chilled
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
Instructions
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix until they start to ball up.
- Switch to your hands at this point and knead the dough until it forms one big ball and isn’t crumbly anymore.
- Form a big ball and place it on a floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll it into a large circle.
- Place the crust over a greased and floured 9-inch pie dish and remove the excess dough if necessary.
- Pinch the edges with your thumbs and pointer fingers to crimp the edges.
Notes
- If it’s too dry - Add a tablespoon more water at a time if the crust is cracking or isn’t sticking together well. Knead the water in thoroughly before adding more.
- If the crust is too gooey - Add in a couple tablespoons more flour at a time if your crust is gooey and sticky to things. Knead it in fully before adding more.
- If the crust sticks to the counter - If your crust is sticking to the counter, it’s too wet and you’ll want to rip it up and knead some more flour into it. Also, you’ll want to make sure your entire surface is covered in a layer of flour or the crust may stick.
Leave a Reply