This all butter pie crust recipe is made from scratch for the most tender and flaky pie crust ever! Just follow these easy, step-by-step instructions for the perfect pie crust, every single time!
There’s nothing like a big slice of homemade apple pie to share with your friends and family.
I promise it’s not hard at all to make a delicious, flaky pie crust from scratch.
This all butter pie crust is versatile too. Use it to make sweet desserts like our blueberry pie or for a savory dish such as chicken pot pie.
You’ll love how quick and effortless it is to make your pie crust from scratch!
Table Of Contents
INGREDIENTS
- All-Purpose Flour: The best flour to use for pie crust is unbleached, all-purpose flour because of it’s high protein content. Pastry flour is too delicate and whole wheat flour can be too grainy.
- Cold Unsalted Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter whenever you are baking so that you can control the salt levels in a recipe.
- Ice Water/Vinegar Mixture: Adding an acid to the dough creates a more tender crust. I use white vinegar for this recipe but you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or vodka.
- Salt and Sugar: Fine sea salt and granulated sugar work best.
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare the water & vinegar mixture. In a one cup liquid measuring cup, place one ice cube and fill with cold water until it reaches the ½ cup mark line. Add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and set aside.
- Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir. Cut the cold butter into ¼” cubes. Use a fork to gently toss and coat them in the bowl with the flour mixture. (photo 1)
- Cut the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter until the mixture forms large, coarse crumbs. (photo 2)
- Drizzle the ice water into the dry ingredients and toss with a fork until the dough is evenly moist. Use your hands to bring the ingredients together in the bottom of the bowl. (photo 3)
- Divide the dough in half and quickly form each into a disk shape. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 1 hour before rolling out. (photo 4)
Tip: Add the ice water a few tablespoons at a time. Use just enough water for the dough to come together without being crumbly.
This pie crust recipe can be used for both double crust pies and single crust pies.
HOW TO CUT BUTTER INTO FLOUR WITH A ROLLING PIN
What if you don’t have a pastry cutter? No problem! You can easily use a rolling pin to get the job done!
Combine Dry Ingredients and Butter in a bowl. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar and salt. Toss the cold cubed butter in the flour mixture and then dump it all onto a clean work-surface.
- Roll butter into flour. Use a rolling pin to roll the butter into the flour mixture. (photo a)
- Cut butter into smaller pieces. Use a bench scraper to cut the butter into smaller pieces. Gather the mixture back into a tight circle and repeat 3 or 4 more times. (photo b)
- This will create thin ribbons of butter within the flour that will help to create a super flaky crust when baked. (photo c)
- Place mixture back into the bowl. Use the bench scraper to scoop the mixture up and back into the mixing bowl. Proceed with step 3 from instructions above.(photo d)
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
- Cold Ingredients. Always use cold butter and ice cold water when making pie crust. After you bring the dough together you’ll see little spots of butter scattered throughout the dough. That’s a good thing! These little chunks are what make the dough flaky during the baking process.
- Rolling out the Dough. Lightly flour your work surface and the rolling pin as needed to prevent sticking. Roll the dough out to a ⅛” thickness for the perfect pie crust!
- Use a pie shield to protect the edge of crust from over browning. Use it during the first 25 minutes of baking.
- You can create a DIY pie shield from a strip of aluminum foil that is about 38″ long. Fold the foil in half lengthwise, and fold it in half lengthwise again to create a 38″ x 3″ strip.
STORAGE
- Fridge. Keep the dough tightly wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freeze. You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Wrap each dough disk with a few layers of plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn.
All-Butter Pie Crust
An easy, all-butter pie crust recipe that gives you a tender, flaky pie crust every time! This recipe makes 2 pie crusts.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cut into small cubes)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ cup cold water (plus one ice cube)
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the water/vinegar mixture. Drop an ice-cube into a measuring cup and fill the measuring cup up with water to the ½ cup mark. Add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and set aside.
- Mix Flour and Butter. Combine the dry ingredients together in a medium sized bowl and toss with a fork to mix evenly. Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture forms large, coarse crumbs.
- Add Water. Pour the water mixture, a few tablespoons at a time, into the flour/butter mixture and toss with a fork until the dough is evenly moist. Add water slowly to get the right texture.
- Gather the dough. Use your hands to quickly bring the dough together in the bowl. Do not over work the dough.
- Divide and Chill. Divide the dough in half and flatten into disks. Wrap the disks separately in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Bake according to what your pie recipe calls for.
Notes
- To Store: Dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To Freeze: Wrap the dough in a few layers of plastic wrap and then put the wrapped dough into a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Form a Pie Shell: To form the pie shell, take a disk from the refrigerator and let rest for 5 minutes at room temperature. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a 14 inch round. Wrap the dough over the rolling pin, pick it up and carefully unroll it over a 9 inch pie plate. Gently fit the pie into the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to trim a 1 inch overhang. Fold the edges under and press to seal.
- To Freeze the pie shell: Place the pie shell into the refrigerator to chill and set for 1 hour. Wrap tightly with a few layers of plastic wrap and place in freezer until ready to bake. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Blind Bake: Place a piece of parchment paper or coffee filter into the center of the pie crust. Fill the center with pie weights or dry beans to keep the dough from puffing up while baking. Chill for 30 minutes. Bake the crust at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven and carefully lift out the paper and weights. Prick the bottom of the crust using a fork to prevent bubbles, return to the oven for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden all over.
