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    Home » Dessert

    Published: Nov 3, 2023 by Desarae

    Simple Pie Crust Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Want to know the secret to a flaky, buttery, light and delicious homemade pie crust? My grandma's famous simple pie crust recipe is surprisingly easy and cooks up perfectly! The secret is making a pie crust with shortening! Follow along and discover all my extra tips and tricks so you too can make a flaky pie crust for all your sweet and savory pies!

    An empty pie shell in a white baking dish on the table.

    We're kind of pie experts around here thanks to my grandma sharing her recipe with me! Now I'm sharing it with you so you can make up the best pie crusts with Crisco and shortening! I promise you, it's the best.

    Why You Will Love This Crisco Pie Crust

    • Works With all Kinds of Pie Fillings. Use it to make a savory pie like our Homemade Pot Pie, or sweet pies like this Razzleberry Pie or Apple Pie.
    • Easier to Make Than You Think! Once you understand how to work with dough any level cook can make a homemade pie crust.
    • Simple ingredients. All you need are four simple ingredients plus ice water!
    • Versatile Pie Crust. You can easily use this recipe to make single crust pies, double crust pies, slab pie, fun and decorative top crusts.

    Ingredients to Make Pie Crust with Shortening

    Let's look at the ingredients you will need to make our pie crust recipe. It's important that you stick closely with these ingredients as listed for the best results.

    • Flour: The central ingredient for pie crust. Make sure you use a quality of brand of flour that is good for baking.
    • Salt and Sugar: Both are required to lightly flavor your pie crust.
    • Shortening: You can use regular or butter flavored to make your Crisco pie crust.  Shortening is what helps the crust rise and gives it the buttery flaky texture everyone loves.
    • Water: You will want to use ICE COLD water! This is non-negotiable when it comes to making the best pie crust.
    Ingredients to make the best flaky pie crust on a baking tray on the table.

    How to Make the Best Flaky Pie Crust Recipe

    Gather together your ingredients and let's get started! Here's an overview of the steps for making a homemade pie crust.

    Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

    1. Add the flour to a large mixing bowl.
    2. Add the salt.
    3. Add the sugar.
    4. Stir together with a whisk.
    A collage of images showing the steps for mixing the dry ingredients to make a sweet pie recipe.

    Step 2: Cutting the Shortening

    1. Add the shortening to the bowl.
    2. Use two knives or a pastry cutter to cut the shortening into the flour dry ingredients.
    3. Add in the ice water while continue to cutting into the dough. Continue this process of cutting in until it forms a ball and the mix pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
    4. Keep cutting and adding small amounts of water until the dough forms a firm ball.

    PRO TIP: It is VERY important to use cold water. ICE water. You want a nice cold dough.

    Shortening is added to the flour, cutting in the mixture, and adding the water to form a dough ball.

    Step 3: Rolling Out the Shortening Pie Crust

    1. Roll out each dough ball one at a time.
    2. Fold the dough into 4ths or roll onto rolling pin to transfer it to your baking pan.
    3. Gently unfold the dough to cover your pie plate evenly and gently press it into your pie pan eliminating any air bubbles.
    4. Trim off any excess dough -- you want about a one inch overhang.

    PRO-TIP:  You also want to handle the dough very little. Don't do any unnecessary kneading or tossing as your rolling out the dough. All you need to do is flour your work surface, roll it out, and place it in the pie plate. Remember the dough needs to remain very cold. It's also easier to work with when it is cold. While you are working with one ball, refrigerate, or freeze remaining dough balls while you work with one dough ball at a time.

    A collage showing how to roll out the dough, transfer it to a pie plate, and shape it to the pan.
    1. Add the filling to your pie.
    2. Add the top crust and press the edges to seal. Crimp or flute the edges depending on the look you want.
    3. Brush the top of your pie with egg wash.
    4. Bake following the instructions for your double crust pie or bake your bottom pie crust following the directions in the recipe card.
    A collage of filling a pie and making lattice crust pie.

    What is Blind Baking a Pie Crust?

    The term blind baking or bake blind refers to baking an empty pie shell before filling it. We use this method to make our favorite banana cream pie.

    After the placing the pie crust in your pan, it's important to prick the bottom with a fork. This prevents it from puffing up when it cooks. Some bakers recommend topping the pie crust with a piece of parchment and weighing it down with beans or pie weights. Though, I don't often find it necessary.

    The pie shell may be partially baked if you will be cooking it again after you add the filling such as when you make a pumpkin pie. If you are using it for a custard pie which isn't cooked again you will want to cook the pie crust all the way through.

    After the pie shell is baked you allow it to cool and then add your pie filling.

    How to Use Your Shortening Pie Crust

    Here are some tips for using your pie crust after you've made the dough!

    • This recipe makes enough for FOUR balls. This means you will get enough for four single crust pies or two double pie crusts. Another option is to use one or more of any extra dough balls to make beautiful decorations on top and around the circumference.
    • Use an 8-inch or 9-inch pan to make your pies.
    • This pie crust is versatile so you can use it for sweet and savory preparations.
    • You can use extra dough or extra dough balls to make your crusts more decorative! I love pie cutters for the seasons.
    • Smaller balls will make thinner crusts which we recommend using for the top crust.
    • Making a slab pie? Our slab pie uses the entire recipe to make enough for the top and bottom crust.
    • Want to make a decorative pie crust using cutouts? Check out our cherry pie recipe and for ideas and how to do it or you can create a lattice topped crust like our apple pie recipe. See exactly how to make a lattice crustin our fresh strawberry pie.

    How to Store Pie Dough and Crust

    • Pie Dough: It's important to keep your pie dough chilled until you're ready to use it. Make sure it's wrapped up tightly to keep any air from drying it out. Store in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to two months.
    • Baked Pie Shell: If you bake your pie shells in advance and aren't using them right away you can store them a container to keep them from getting damaged and place them in the freezer for up to a month.

    Can I make this pie crust recipe with Crisco ahead of time?

    Yes! you can make pie dough ahead of time. You can even roll it out, place plastic wrap around, and store in the fridge. Make sure that it is air tight so it is not drying out while storing.

    Expert Tips

    • Keep the dough chilled until you're ready to use it. It's also easier to work with when it is cold. While you are working with one ball, refrigerate or freeze remaining dough balls while you work with one dough ball at a time.
    • Don't handle the dough too much. You want to work with it just enough to roll it out and shape it but too much activity may cause it to toughen up.
    • Ice cold water is essential. It keeps the shortening chilled so that it mixes with the flour just enough to be crumbly. You should be able to see the little pieces of shortening in your pie crust. As you cook your pie crust it will melt and form little pockets of air which is what makes your crust flaky.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is cutting in?

    Cutting in the shortening is using knives or a pastry cutter and cutting the shortening into the flour until it forms little balls. Pastry cutter makes it very easy to do this, but you can totally use two knives to get the job done!

    Is shortening or butter better for pie crust?

    We are team shortening around here!! Shortening in pie crust makes the crust fluffy and flaky. If you use butter instead the pie will be flatter and denser. These are not the most desirable qualities for pie crust. You can experiment with half butter and half shortening. If you want to try this out we recommend using a butte that is creamier and higher fat content.

    What's the best way to keep the edges of your pie crust from burning?

    Sometimes the pie crust edges can get over cooked and too brown. To keep this from happening place some foil around just the edges of your pie crust. Fifteen minutes before the pie is done, remove the foil to allow the crust to brown.

    Why do you need to keep pie crust cold?

    Cold pie crust will make for the ultimate flaky pie crust recipe. It will also help keep all the fancy decorative styling in place while it cooks. A cold pie crust will keep the edged from falling down and sinking while baking.

    A simple pie crust in a baking dish ready to fill.

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    Did You Make This Recipe?  Do You Have Questions?

    If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave us a comment below. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what else we’re getting up to!  And don’t forget to pin this recipe to save for later.

    A baked pie crust with shortening in a baking pan.

    Simple Pie Crust Recipe with Shortening

    This homemade pie crust is easy and creates a light, flakey, buttery pie crust that pairs perfect with all pie filling! Follow this step by step tutorial.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 266kcal
    Author: Kadee & Desarae

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups of flour
    • 1 ⅓ cup shortening
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup Ice cold water

    Instructions

    • Mix dry ingredients.
    • Cut shortening into dry ingredients using butter knives and criss cross them or a pastry cutter.
    • Slowly pour in ice cold water and mix until dough pulls away from sides. Keep cutting until it forms a tight ball.
    • Divide into 4 balls and roll out. Make top dough circles thinner.
    • Fold dough into halves to transfer without ripping.
    • Bake at 425° F for 15 minutes if cooking by itself or follow instructions for your pie recipe to bake with a filling.

    Notes

    Be sure to check out the full post for more tips, storage info, how to use your crust, and more!
    • Keep the dough chilled until you're ready to use it. It's also easier to work with when it is cold. While you are working with one ball, refrigerate or freeze remaining dough balls while you work with one dough ball at a time.
    • Don't handle the dough too much. You want to work with it just enough to roll it out and shape it but too much activity may cause it to toughen up.
    • Ice cold water is essential. It keeps the shortening chilled so that it mixes with the flour just enough to be crumbly. You should be able to see the little pieces of shortening in your pie crust. As you cook your pie crust it will melt and form little pockets of air which is what makes your crust flaky.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 147mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @OhSoDelicioso or tag #ohsodelicioso!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. vanessa says

      March 01, 2025 at 11:49 am

      just wondering if you used AP flour or self-rising

      Reply
      • Kadee says

        March 01, 2025 at 5:01 pm

        All purpose

        Reply
    2. Donna Lee says

      November 17, 2022 at 11:24 am

      5 stars
      This was the best pie crust I have tried.

      Reply
    3. Erin V says

      August 04, 2018 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      ugh i've been looking for a good pie crust recipe and I've finally found it!

      Reply
    4. Niki says

      December 07, 2016 at 5:46 am

      I've never made pie and I'm not seeing an answer to this... do you bake the crust before you put any filling in it?

      Reply
      • Dave says

        November 23, 2020 at 8:22 pm

        5 stars
        My wife taught me this recipe after I retired, she learned it from her mother over 50 years ago.

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes

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