Sunday, October 22, 2006

Pie Dough


Frozen Pie Crust
Originally uploaded by watchjennybake.
I'm going to share my grandma's recipe for pie crust. To me, this is what pie crust should taste like, because all the pies I had growing up used this recipe! One year my Grandpa was in the hospital and I spent two days with my Grandma baking for the holidays. After that, my Mom told me that pie baking skips a generation and it was always my job growing up.

I know this recipe calls for shortening - the good news is that Crisco now makes a version with 0 trans fat. I read the reviews, and it is slightly less flaky than regular Crisco (and I would agree with this after using it) but to me, worth the difference in content. You can use half shortening and half butter, but the crust might burn more easily. And of course you could use half lard, but really, who wants pie crust made out of lard.

Grandma's Pie Crust

Makes 6 crusts

5 cups flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 1/4 cup shortening
1 egg
1 tbsp white vinegar
cold water

Mix flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut in shortening until evenly distributed (mixture will be crumbly). Beat egg in 1 cup measuring cup; add vinegar. Fill to 1 cup with ice-cold water. Mix. Add to above with fork.

Use as directed in pie recipes, or divide dough into 6 portions and store in freezer, double-wrapped.


Categories: Pie

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