If you’re hoping to master the basics of home baking, this Pie Crust Recipe is exactly where you should start. With just a handful of pantry staples, a little patience, and a couple of simple techniques, you can turn out the most beautifully crisp, golden, buttery pastry imaginable. Whether it’s your first homemade crust or you’re chasing that elusive perfect texture, this tried-and-true method will become your go-to for every sweet or savory pie you dream up.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of a classic Pie Crust Recipe is that its simplicity is what makes it shine. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating flavor, tenderness, and that irresistible flakiness that sets homemade crust apart.

All Purpose Flour: The foundation of the crust, providing structure and just the right amount of tenderness in every bite.
Butter (2 sticks): Cold, unsalted butter delivers unbeatable flavor and creates those lovely, flaky layers that everyone craves in a perfect pie crust.
Ice Water: Using icy-cold water ensures the butter stays firm, allowing the distinct pockets of fat to steam during baking (for ultimate flakiness).
Pinch of Salt: Don’t skip this! Salt brings depth and balance to the crust, highlighting both sweet and savory fillings.

How to Make Pie Crust Recipe

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

Start by adding your flour and a generous pinch of salt to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse them together a few times to mix—this ensures that the salt is distributed evenly. Next, drop in your cold, cubed butter. Process these together until the mixture transforms into a coarse, sandy meal with a few pebble-sized bits of butter throughout. Don’t overwork it; those visible bits of butter are what guarantee a flaky result!

Step 2: Add Water

With the processor running, slowly drizzle in your ice water one tablespoon at a time. The magic will happen as the dough starts to come together. Stop and check the texture—it should just hold together when pressed between your fingers, but never feel sticky or wet. If it looks too crumbly, add a tiny splash more water. The key to a wonderful Pie Crust Recipe is keeping the ingredients cool and handling the dough as little as possible.

Step 3: Shape and Chill the Pie Dough

Turn your dough out onto a clean work surface and gently gather it into a ball. Divide it into two portions and flatten each into a disk shape. Wrap each disk snugly in plastic wrap. This step is crucial: chilling the dough for at least an hour allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm back up, making your crust easy to roll and beautifully tender.

Step 4: Roll Out the Crust

Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, then start rolling out one dough disk from the center outward. Rotate the dough as you go to keep it even and avoid sticking. Aim for about a 12-inch circle for a standard pie pan. Carefully lift the dough into your pie pan, easing it into the corners without stretching. This is where your Pie Crust Recipe really starts looking like something special!

Step 5: Fill the Crust

Now comes the fun part: pile in your favorite pie filling, whether it’s zesty apples, luscious custard, or rich pot pie filling. Take your second disk, roll it out, and gently lay it over the filling. Trim and crimp the edges to seal, then use a sharp knife to cut a few small vents that let steam escape as the pie bakes.

Step 6: Bake

Slide your beautiful pie into the oven and bake exactly as your recipe directs. The result? A perfectly golden, crisp, and tender crust that’s going to wow everyone at your table. There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a homemade Pie Crust Recipe transforming in the oven!

How to Serve Pie Crust Recipe

Garnishes

For a glossy finish, brush the top crust with a beaten egg before baking. You can also sprinkle on a little turbinado sugar for crunch or add cut-out pastry shapes to decorate the top. A light dusting of powdered sugar after baking is also a beautiful touch for fruit pies.

Side Dishes

Serve your pie alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for sweet pies. For savory pies, a simple green salad tossed with a punchy vinaigrette is a perfect pairing that cuts through the richness of the crust.

Creative Ways to Present

Try making mini hand pies with this Pie Crust Recipe for a picnic or potluck, or use fun cookie cutters for decorative top crust shapes. You can also bake the crust in individual ramekins for personal pies—everyone loves their own little treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra pie, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to five days (especially for custard or meat pies). The crust will stay tender and flavorful!

Freezing

This Pie Crust Recipe is an absolute dream to make ahead. Simply wrap the unbaked dough disks tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months and thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling out.

Reheating

To refresh leftover pie, reheat slices in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. This brings back the crispness of the crust and warms the filling without making it soggy—so much better than microwaving!

FAQs

Can I make this Pie Crust Recipe without a food processor?

Definitely! You can use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour and salt. Just take care to keep everything cold and work quickly for the best texture.

What should I do if my dough is too crumbly?

If your dough isn’t holding together, add ice water a teaspoon at a time until it just comes together. Avoid adding too much at once; over-wet dough can lead to a tough crust.

Can I use this Pie Crust Recipe for both sweet and savory pies?

Absolutely! This crust is perfectly balanced and works wonders with fruit pies, custards, quiches, or classic chicken pot pie. You can even add an extra pinch of sugar for sweeter desserts if you like.

How do I prevent my crust from shrinking?

Make sure to chill your dough thoroughly before rolling and fitting it into the pan, and don’t stretch it to fit. For extra insurance, you can rest the shaped crust in the fridge for 20 minutes before filling and baking.

What’s the trick to a super flaky Pie Crust Recipe?

It’s all about having cold ingredients and not overworking the dough. Visible butter pieces in the dough create those beautiful flakes when they melt in the oven—so embrace those little pockets of butter!

Final Thoughts

There’s a special joy in sharing a homemade pie, and mastering this Pie Crust Recipe will open the door to endless baking possibilities. Give it a try and discover just how satisfying—and delicious—homemade pie can truly be!

Pie Crust Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 22 reviews

Author: Noah
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 1 double crust pie 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Learn how to make a delicious and flaky pie crust from scratch with this easy-to-follow recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Crust:

2½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup ice water
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
pinch of salt

Instructions

Combine the ingredients: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together flour and salt. Add butter and mix until it resembles a coarse meal.
Add water: With the machine running, slowly add ice water and process until a dough comes together. Add more water if the dough seems too dry.
Shape and chill the pie dough: Divide the dough into two equal-sized balls and flatten into disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before rolling out.
Roll out the crust: Roll the dough out on a floured surface and then place it in a pie pan.
Fill the crust: Fill with your choice of pie filling. Roll out the second dough disk and place it over the pie filling.
Bake: Bake according to your recipe directions.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American