Grandma Lyna's Best Pie Crust

Back in 1912, my 13 year old grandmother ran away from home and the 12 brothers & sisters she was stuck caring for, and took a position of head baker at the Black Bear Hotel in downtown Duluth. It was a different time, back then; Pie ruled and was King, Queen and Princess. She made 50 pies per day, Monday through Friday, but on the weekends, she made upward of 75 to 100 pies. This is the ONLY crust she used for her 1000's of pies! This year, 2012, this recipe is now over 100 years old and in constant use throughout the generations. I also wanted to add, that I found out by accident that rolling out the crust between two Silpat mats is a dream come true: peels right off, NO stick! Happy Baking!

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Yields: 2 crusts

Ingredients

• 2  cups all-purpose flour (I ONLY use King Arthur brand)
• 3  tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup  chilled butter, cut into 6 pieces (chilled hard)
• 3  tablespoons  lard or 3  tablespoons  Crisco, chilled
• 1  large egg, beaten lightly
• 1  tablespoon apple cider vinegar (but, I've used pear, champagne or other flavoured vinegars)
• 1⁄4 cup  ice water

Directions

1. ALL INGREDIENTS AND TOOLS MUST BE ICE COLD, INCLUDING FLOUR AND SUGAR! MEASURE IN ADVANCE AND PLACE IN REFRIGERATOR FOR 1/2 AN HOUR BEFORE MAKING CRUST.
2. Measure flour, confectioner's sugar, and salt into work bowl of food processor. Pulse quickly 2-3 times.
3. Uncover bowl, add butter and lard/shortening, process 5-10 seconds until JUST blended.
4. Through feed tube, add beaten egg and vinegar and 1/2 of the water. Pulse 2-3 times.
5. Watching dough constantly, slowly drizzle the remaining water into the dough as processor is turning, STOPPING INSTANTLY when the dough begins to clump together. (It will look lumpy, rough and riddled with the yolk and butter. THIS IS NORMAL!).
6. Turn dough onto Saran Wrap. press into rough circle of pie pan shape, wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
7. Take off Saran Wrap. Roll chilled dough out between 2 layers of parchment paper. Lay into pan, fill and bake. Happy Baking!