No-Fail Pie Crust

echo echo's Note:

I found this recipe in a woman's magazine back in the seventies and have used it ever since. It has never failed ME, at any rate. No matter how much this dough is handled it is always flaky and tender even if scraps need to be re-rolled. Be sure to use exact measures, levelling off with a knife. Dough can be left in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It remains soft and can be taken out and rolled at once, or it can be frozen until ready to use (thaw until soft enough to roll). For a filled pie, bake at temperature indicated in recipe you are using. For unfilled pie, bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit as directed below. Note that it is suggested you bake a filled pie versus a pie shell on different racks of the oven. The recipe makes five 9-inch pie shells or one shell plus two 2-crust pies. Preparation time includes minimum chilling time of 1/2 hour. Cooking time is for unfilled pie crust only.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 50 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 5 crusts

• 4 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 ¾ cups shortening (NOT refrigerated, don't use oil, lard, margarine or butter)
• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar or 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 large egg

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and salt with a fork.
2. Cut in the shortening with a fork until crumbly.
3. In a small bowl, beat together the water, vinegar and egg; add to the flour mixture.
4. Stir until all ingredients are moistened.
5. Divide dough into 5 portions and, with hands, shape each into a flat round patty ready for rolling.
6. Wrap each patty in plastic or waxed paper and chill at least 1/2 hour.
7. When you are ready to use the pie crust, lightly flour both sides of the patty and roll out on a lightly floured board or pastry cloth.
8. Keeping the pastry round, roll, from the center, to a 1/8-inch thickness into a circle 2 inches larger than the top of the pie pan.
9. Fold in halves or quarters, transfer to the pie pan, unfold and fit in loosely.
10. Press with fingers to remove air pockets.
11. Fill the crust.
12. Place the other crust on top; flute edges with a fork and place decorative slits in top of crust to allow steam to escape.
13. Bake as directed in the pie recipe you are following.
14. Bake pie on the LOWEST rack in oven to prevent bottom crust becoming soggy.
15. FOR A PRE-BAKED UNFILLED PIE SHELL:.
16. Prick the bottom and sides of a pastry lined pie pan with a fork.
17. Bake on the CENTER rack in a preheated 450 degree Fahrenheit oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown (a metal pan will take longer than glass).
18. Cool on a wire rack (the shell will shrink and edges pull away from pan).
19. Fill as desired.

Reviews

[Chef #254070]

What an amazing pie crust. All others are being deleted. It is wonderful to work with. I half the recipe and still use 1 egg. I will use one part, roll it out, prick it all over with a fork, spread butter, sprinkle with raw sugar and cinnamon bake at 400 for 10 to 15 minutes comes out flakey and tender. I use this wonderful pie crust for grandma's egg custard pie Grandma's Egg Custard Pie. I would never bake pies because I could not make pie crust, so Nikki Kate I and my family thanks you. My mistake Nikki. I was sooooo happy that I now can make a pie crust in 5 minutes. P.S. Just so you know I would give it 100 stars!!

[962822]

This was honestly one of the hardest pie crusts to work with. I was very exact in my measurements and rolled it out fairly cold, but it still was VERY sticky. It did taste good, but boy was it ugly!

[Chef #1056736]

This crust was great. I used 1/4 right away and froze the rest. Used a second 1/4 a couple days later and it was very flaky and tasty.I added 3 more Tbsps of sugar because I made it for a sweet pie but ended up using it also for a savoury pie ( onion pie) and it was very good. It was a bit soft after being rolled but it is very forgiving. I just used some scraps to cover any holes I had and it came out great. I think you could even press it in the pie pan directly without rolling it and it would still turn out perfect!