Introduction: Easy Pie Crust
This fool-proof, easy pie crust recipe ensures a perfect, flaky crust every time.
The trick is in the vodka! Being only 80-proof, most of the vodka evaporates in the baking process, meaning the crust dough gets the liquid it need to be formed, but most of it will not stay, leaving you with a perfect, flaky crust. And, vodka is, by definition, colorless and odorless, so once it's baked, you'll forget it was ever in there.
If you prefer not to use vodka, swap it for cold water.
Originally titled Foolproof Pie Dough, Cooks Illustrated, November 2007
Step 1: Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour - make sure you measure it right!
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into small bits
- 1/4 cup cold vodka
- 1/4 cup cold water
- Food processor, dough cutter, or fork & knife
Step 2: Mash It Up
Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses.
Add butter and shortening and process until dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds (there should be no uncoated flour).
Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade.
Add remaining cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses.
Empty mixture into medium bowl.
Step 3: Add Cold Liquids
Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture.
With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together.
Step 4: Wrap It Up
Divide dough into two even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk.
Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.
Step 5: Good to Go
Once your dough is thoroughly chilled - as firm as a cold stick of butter - it's ready to roll out.
Roll the dough out between two pieces of plastic wrap to prevent dough from sticking to the counter and your roller. It also prevents the need to add more flour, which can make your dough tough. (hm, "dough" and "tough" - looks like they should rhyme. . . ) Make sure you pull any folds out of the plastic every few rolls to ensure that the dough remains smooth.
To fit this in a standard 9" pie dish, roll it out to a 12" circle. If your dough has gotten soft or warmer in the time you have been rolling it out, slide it into the freezer for 10 minutes to get it firm again.
Carefully transfer your dough to the pie plate by folding the dough gently into quarters and unfolding in the pan, or by wrapping it around your rolling pin and gently unrolling it into the pan.. Working around the circumference of the pie plate, ease dough the dough into the corners by gently lifting dough edges with one hand while pressing around pan bottom with other hand.
If you're making a single crust pie, crimp the edges decoratively with your fingers or the flat side of a fork at even intervals and add the filling according to your recipe's instructions.
If you're making a double-crust or latticed pie, leave dough that overhangs the lip of plate in place, and follow recipe directions.
Hooray! You made perfect pie crust! Wait for the oohs and ahhs to roll in.
Step 6: Pre Baking
Some recipes call for a pre-baked pie crust. For optimal results, I recommend the following:
Poke a bunch of holes in the crust with a fork. This prevents air pockets from distorting the shape.
Line the crust with foil and fill with pie weights. I never have pie weights around (having never purchased any), but I do always have some sort of small hardware on hand. Here I used lag bolts in place of pie weights.
Bake at 375oF (190oC) for about 20 minutes. Remove the weights and foil and bake another 5-10 minutes, until golden.
45 Comments
14 years ago on Introduction
Instead of the fold-and-transfer method, since you're already rolling it out between two sheets of cling wrap, just remove the top one, you can flip your pie pan upside down and transfer the crust that way. I use a glass pie dish so that does make it a bit simpler.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Genius!
14 years ago on Introduction
Is there a weight we could get on the flour? 2-1/2 cups enters the realm I'd rather weigh. But I have cup-measured chillin' in the fridge right now. Though, I had to measure the flour with a 1/2 cup measure and I'm not sure if I put in the final 1/2 cup...
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Good point. Check out How to Measure Flour, where I've included weight now as well as volume.
6 years ago
Any idea of how this would taste using one of the new & nifty flavored Vodkas, instead of the plain stuff?? I picked up a Pineapple Vodka & a Berry Vodka on my last cruise to Alaska. Never was a Vodka fan until these.
I've used the "vinegar" recipe most of my life, and it's been awesome, but I'm always willing to try something new!
6 years ago
The vodka adds extra liquid to make the dough easier to work with and the alcohol does not form gluten in the dough making it harder to overwork dough. If you want to substitute butter for the shortening, remember butter is upto 20% water. so you may need more butter and less water. Resting dough lets the flout fully absorb the liquid and the gluten created will loosen up and make dough easier to roll out without springing back
13 years ago on Introduction
im 13 is the vodka necesary??????
Reply 7 years ago
Vinegar is good - I've used that a lot since I was a kid!!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Some crusts use vinegar - also evaporates faster than water so it gives a similar result.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
not necessary at all, try using vanilla or another flavoring.
10 years ago on Introduction
Hey scoochmaroo can I use anything else instead of vodka???
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
White vinegar is a good substitute!
Reply 7 years ago
That's what I was gonna suggest and I use Natural Apple Cider Vinegar (NACV) - vinegar based has been my go-to favorite crust for years. It does the same as what you describe vodka doing - evaporating at baking, so it doesn't leave a vinegar smell behind. I didn't grow up with vodka in the house, so I am learning about it (just bought some recently to use to make vanilla.).
10 years ago on Introduction
Any substitutes for the vegetable shortening?
10 years ago on Introduction
This recipe looks really good to me. Although, I have some questions;
Can I leave out the vodka and the vegetable shortening ?
I don't have these two ingredients at home. :(
13 years ago on Step 3
You may not need to use all the liquid. It has really varied for me. Some days I've needed all of it, other days I only needed half and it turned my dough into a soupy mess. I suggest mixing the water and vodka together and incorporating it in small splashes until it reaches the consistency you're looking for.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
My mother´s (and grandmother´s recipe) asks for "as much water as it would take" depends on the weather, humidity altitude... a myriad of factors... and above all DO NOT overwork! treat it gently... cold hands, cold kitchen, all that helps....
Thank you scoochmaroo for the idea of using alcohol, it is MY new recipe hehehe
12 years ago on Introduction
This may have been mentioned before in the comments, but meh, I live in Australia and was wondering if you maybe had a substitute for crisco shortening. I'm pretty sure that you can't get it here. I love you recipes but can't make them because they're missing the shortening. You are pure awesomeness Scooch, Keep rocking and everyone will listen.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Crisco is vegetable shortening, I live in Mexico and here we use Inca, which is our national brand.
Vegetable shortening is a white soft substance... much like butter (which I prefer as it melts different in your mouth)
Hope this helps---
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I would suggest either going all butter or substituting the Crisco with lard. Stay away from Copha, I think. It would change the flavor profile and mouthfeel!