Perfect Pie Crust
If I had to pick a favorite thing that I like to eat & make, it would have to be pies. So I've been following this easy recipe since I was a teenager on How to Make a Perfect Pie Crust. It comes out flaky and delicious every time. As I say in the video, the recipe is for one pie shell, but I like to make enough for one more so that I have plenty of dough to work with. Read on for the easy recipe. And, don't forget to keep scrolling down for the Bonus Recipe. It's my classic Apple Pie and it is one my family requests all the time.
Ingredients for a single pie crust
For Apple Pie, I recommend tripling the crust recipe. Then you will need
For egg wash you will need
Instructions
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To make this pie crust
Combine flour and salt in large mixing bowl, then cut in butter or shortening using pastry blender or fork. (Avoid using hands at this point because the warmth of your hands will melt the butter, and to get a flaky crust you want the butter to melt while the pie is baking in the oven.) Consistency should be well mixed, but there should still be little clumps of the shortening or fat in the flour. Add in the ice cold water and with your hands, quickly press and knead dough together to form a ball. It will seem as if it's not enough water at first, but it should stick together after a little kneading. (If you absolutely have to add a little more water, do so only a teaspoon at a time.) Once dough can be formed into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator 15 - 30 minutes before rolling out. Carefully transfer into pie plate. Cut and remove any excess, crimp sides, and follow recipe for type of pie you're making for baking instructions.
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To make this apple pie
Peel and slice apples in small thin wedges and place in large mixing bowl. Pour lemon juice over apples and mix to coat them. (This will keep them from turning brown and will also give them a little more tartness, which is what you want in an apple pie.) In a separate bowl combine sugar, salt, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place a thin layer of sliced apples into your pie crust. Sprinkle plenty of your sugar & flour mixture over them. Then place a few pats of butter on top. Add another layer of apples on top, and continue to repeat the process until all the ingredients are used. Cover apples with top pie crust. Crip sides with fingers or fork. Cut small heat vents on top pie crust. Brush egg wash over entire pie. Bake at 450º for the first 10 minutes. Lower temperature to 350º and continue baking 30-40 minutes longer, until pie crust is a light golden brown. Allow pie to set at least 4 hours before cutting into it. It is best the next day.
