Easy Pie Crust

This Easy Pie Crust recipe has been passed down through generations, from my grandmother, the PIE QUEEN. Just 5 simple ingredients to make.

It’s that time of year again!! Pie season! When I was a little girl I would visit over at my great grandmother’s house.

She and my grandmother would spend ALL DAY making pies – literally in batches of 20+ a day. They were both known for the family pumpkin pie recipe.

The family always went nuts for that pumpkin pie. But spending all that time with them- I did learn a thing or two about pie.

So since you (and I) will be needing this recipe through the end of the year – I thought I would share my great grandmother’s recipe for Easy Pie Crust.

Now her recipe was for pies in BULK. She sort of jotted it down but for the most part, she worked off memory. However – I was able to break it down to what a normal recipe would be for the regular person making just one pie. It’s perfect every single time.

Try using this recipe to make our Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) Recipe or my Easy Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

very easy pie crust

It’s moist and springy while working with the dough prior to baking, which is so nice. For years I had one that was way too dry and was so difficult to work with.

I am so happy I was able to get this one down because it really is just SO EASY from start to finish.

simple pie crust recipe

This recipe is just for the one crust. You can double it if you are wanting crust on top too.

I tend to make all my pies open – be it a French Apple, or some sort of cream pie or fresh strawberry. I don’t know why.

Maybe this year will be the time to change that and expand my horizons. Stay tuned for that.

single pie crust recipe

I have a few other recipes up my sleeve that I use this recipe for. I can’t wait to share them with you.

This is such a fun time of year. I so TRULY enjoy making fall recipes.

quick pie crust recipe

Here are some commonly asked questions

Can I use gluten-free flour?

I have not tried it. When swapping out flours in my recipes, I recommend using a brand with a 1:1 ratio (such as this Bob’s Red Mill) so you don’t have to add anything else to the recipe to get the same consistency.

Can I use a sugar substitute?

I have not personally tried it, so I can’t say how that would turn out. But if you would like to try it, I suggest a product that offers a 1:1 swap. Please let me know how it turns out.

Can this pie crust be frozen?

I prefer to freeze my pies once they have been baked. The dough can dry out when frozen and then be thawed and baked later.

How many can this serve?

This recipe makes 1 pie crust. We usually get 6-8 slices out of a standard-size pie. But this will depend on how you slice it.

recipe for pie crust

Can I use shortening instead?

So, my grandmother would do it one of two ways. This recipe with all butter, because the flavor you get with butter is incredible.

But sometimes she wanted that dough to be a little flakier, so she would sub in half of the called for butter with shortening. It does give a slightly flakier crust, so I like to reserve that version for the top layer.

I just don’t like it AS MUCH for the bottom layer because I want it to hold together differently than I would for the top.

Can this recipe be doubled?

You can absolutely double this recipe. If you are making a top crust for your pie, you will want to double this.

Be sure to check out my Easy Sweet Potato Pie recipe you can make with this crust too!

easy pie crust with butter

Why does the butter have to be cold?

So here’s a little tidbit shared by grandma. You want the dough to stay as cold as possible before baking because it is those little cold fat pockets of butter that will melt and create the flakiness you desire.

If your butter is too warm, the fat will result in hard, greasy clumps. Not good for pie, or anything else, really.

What recipes can I make with this crust?

The possibilities are pretty much endless – but here are a few of our favorite pies to make with this crust.

• The Best Pumpkin Pie
• Mini French Apple Pies
• French Apple Pie
• Easy Cherry Pie in the Air Fryer
• Cinnamon Pie Crust Dippers
• 30-Minute Strawberry Pie

easy homemade pie crust

HOW DO YOU MAKE Easy Pie Crust?

1. Combine flour, butter, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Using a pastry cutter, start working the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like crumbles. (You can also use 2 butter knives & cross them through the ingredients to combine.)
3. Once you have reached a crumbly texture add the water.
4. Work it together with your hands pressing & lightly kneading it together until you have a moist ball of dough that holds together well.
5. Place the dough on a well-floured surface.
6. Flour your rolling pin & start working from the center pushing outward in all directions.
7. Once you have stretched the dough large enough to fill your pie plate carefully transfer it to your plate.
8. Trim any excess dough that hangs over the edge of the pie plate.
9. Flute your edges by crimping between your fingers and pinching the dough every ½ inch or so.
10. If you are baking this pie & filling it afterward – Poke holes in the bottom of the crust with a fork. Bake at 425 degrees for a conventional/ 400 degrees for convection for approximately 15 minutes.
11. Baking time is just for the crust. If you are filling the pie before baking – do not poke holes in the crust.
12. Baking times for a filled pie will vary depending on the filling you are baking.

Notes

1. *Recipe is for 1 bottom crust. You can easily double this for a top & bottom or continue doubling for the number of pies you are making.

how to make pie crust

What is the best way to store leftover pie crust?

If you are just making the pie crust and not filling it, the best way to store it is to wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it until ready to use.

If you have filled the crust and you need to store the whole pie, I recommend transferring it to an airtight container and then refrigerating it.

What is the easiest way to transfer the crust to the pie pan?

Here’s another tip from grandma. After rolling the dough out, she would loosely fold it in half and then in half again, making a triangle. Then she would place it in the pie plate and then unfold it. This way there is less chance of tearing it when lifting it into the pie plate.

To make Easy Pie Crust you will need…

• all-purpose flour
• cold butter
• granulated sugar
• salt
• ice water

best pie crust recipe

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Products I love when making pie crust…

This pie crust recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand.

OR maybe you have never made homemade pie crust before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making homemade pie crust.

• mixing bowl
• rolling pin
• pastry cutter
• disposable pie plates
• aluminum pie plate
• ceramic pie plate
• airtight pie container

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DON’T MISS THESE HOLIDAY E-BOOKS!

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If you love this Easy Pie Crust recipe, you’re going to love these pie filling recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

Chocolate Cream Pie

pie dough

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