by Lisa Curcio

Created on: February 22, 2009   Last Updated: February 26, 2009

How to Make a Double 9-Inch Pie Crust.

Making pie crust from scratch is not something to be feared. For years, I only used store bought crusts. I tried a few times to make crust from scratch, but failed miserably. Then one day, I decided that I would no longer fear the pie crust and make it from scratch. It also helped that I was given a family recipe.

I use this crust for all of my fruit pies, as well as pot pies, quiches, and mini tarts. My first couple of crusts, were not quite right, and I quickly learned that it is not just the recipe that makes a good crust, it is also how it is mixed together that determines how the crust will turn out.

Ingredients:

2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Salt
2/3 Cup, Plus 2 Tablespoons Butter Flavored Shortening
4-6 Tablespoons Ice Water

Tools Needed:

Mixing Bowl
Pastry Cutter or Fork
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Rolling Pin or Pasty Roller
Pastry Mat or Clean Counter
Flour for Rolling out the Dough

1. Mix flour and salt together in a medium to large sized bowl. It helps to have a large bowl when you start tossing everything together.

2. Add shortening to flour and salt. Start mixing the crust by first cutting the shortening with a butter knife approximately 6-9 times to make smaller chunks of shortening, covering it with flour as you go. Once you have several smaller pieces start mixing everything together with the pastry cutter or fork, gently tossing until the shortening is mixed with the flour to form small pea sized pieces.

3. Add 2-3 Tablespoons of ice water, tossing all ingredients together. Add more ice water 1 Tablespoon at time until the dough starts to get thick and sticks together well. No more than a total of 6 Tablespoons of water will be needed.

4. At this point, put down the pastry cutter or fork and quickly squeeze and blend with your hands, without over kneading. The more you work the dough, the tougher it will get. The dough will look flaky and crumbly, but will stick together well when squeezed tightly.

5. Separate the dough into two balls. One should be bigger than the other. Flatten them both out with your hands, as if you are making a burger patty. They are now ready to be rolled into pie crusts.

6. Sprinkle your work surface with a dusting of flour to keep the dough from sticking. Center the larger of the crusts in your work area and starting with the center of the crust push outward in all directions. Do not start on the edge of the crust and push from one end to the other. Pushing from the center will keep the crust

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