Pie crust is one of those foods that I always used to buy premade, but once I learned how to make it, I’ve never gone back. This recipe for pie crust forms a buttery, flaky crust for both sweet and savory pies, or can be used to make hand pies or galettes. The dough requires just a few ingredients and can be made either by hand or in a food processor. I prefer making it by hand, but both methods are quick and easy.
Pie Crust by Hand
To make pie crust by hand, first combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter and toss to coat each piece in flour. Using your hands or a pastry blender, rub or cut the butter into the flour mixture until the the butter is in tiny pieces and the mixture feels like coarse sand. If you’re using your hands, try to go quickly and not overwork the butter, as it is important that it stays cold and does not melt. Next, drizzle in the cold water and mix until the dough forms into a ball. If needed, you can add an extra tbsp of water, but try to use as little as possible. Once the dough forms a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 2 hours. After the dough chills, roll it out and use it to line a pie tin. Bake it according to the instructions for the filling.
Pie Crust in a Food Processor
Making pie crust in a food processor is even faster than making it by hand! First, combine the flour, sugar, and salt in the food processor, and pulse to combine. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse the butter into the flour mixture until the the butter is in tiny pieces and the mixture feels like coarse sand. Next, drizzle in the cold water and pulse the food processor until the dough forms into a ball. If needed, you can add an extra tbsp of water, but try to use as little as possible. Once the dough forms a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 2 hours. After the dough chills, roll it out and use it to line a pie tin. Bake it according to the instructions for the filling.
If you’re looking for something to put in your pie crust, check out the recipes linked in the images below!
Flaky Pie Crust
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp (30 g) granulated sugar
- ½ tsp (2 g) salt
- 1 cup (230 g) butter cold, cubed
- ⅓ cup (80 g) ice water
Instructions
Pie Crust in a Food Processor
- In a large food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the cubed butter and pulse to combine, until the butter pieces are small and the mixture feels like coarse sand.
- Slowly drizzle in the ice water, pulsing the food processor until a cohesive dough forms.
- Tightly wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the fridge for about 2 hours.
- Roll out the dough and use it to line the pie plate as needed. Bake according to the instructions for your filling.
Pie Crust by Hand
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter. Using your hands, rub the butter into the flour until the butter pieces are small and the mixture feels like coarse sand.
- Slowly add in the ice water, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
- Tightly wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the fridge for about 2 hours.
- Roll out the dough and use it to line the pie plate as needed. Bake according to the instructions for your filling.