Oh, the joy of a homemade pie crust! Let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of a buttery pie crust baking in the oven. This All Butter Pie Crust has a way of taking me back to my childhood, when my grandma and I would spend lazy Saturday afternoons in her warm kitchen, rolling out dough and laughing over spilled flour. It’s a family tradition that I cherish deeply, and today I’m thrilled to share my go-to recipe with you!
What makes this pie crust truly special is the rich flavor that only butter can provide. While lard or shortening might offer flakiness, nothing beats that melt-in-your-mouth texture that only butter can deliver. Whether you’re making a classic apple pie or a rich chocolate tart, this crust will elevate your baking game to a whole new level. So, grab your rolling pin and let’s create some magic in the kitchen!
What’s in All Butter Pie Crust?
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of any pie crust, I like to use a high-quality all-purpose flour like King Arthur. It provides the perfect structure for our crust.
Unsalted Butter: This is where the magic happens! Unsalted butter gives the crust a rich, creamy flavor. Always use cold butter so it stays firm while you mix it in—this helps create that light, flaky texture we love.
Granulated Sugar: Just a touch of sugar adds a subtle sweetness to balance the savory flavors. It’s not a dessert, after all, without a hint of sweetness!
Salt: A key player in enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients, salt is essential in pie crust. It may seem small, but it makes a big difference!
Cold Water: This is the moisture that brings the dough together. Don’t skip the cold water—it helps keep your butter solid, resulting in a flakier crust.
Is All Butter Pie Crust Good for You?
Now, let’s chat about the health side of things. While an All Butter Pie Crust isn’t exactly health food, it does have some benefits.
Butter: Using real butter does offer some health benefits as it contains fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. However, it’s also high in saturated fat, so moderation is key!
All-Purpose Flour: If you prefer a whole grain option, substitute with whole wheat flour. It will give your crust a nuttier flavor and more fiber, though it may be a bit denser.
In moderation, this pie crust is a delicious indulgence, perfect for special occasions or when you just need a slice of something comforting.
Ingredients
– 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
– 6 to 8 tablespoons ice water
**Servings:** This recipe will make enough for one 9-inch pie crust.
How to Make All Butter Pie Crust?
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter.
3. Gradually add the ice water, starting with 6 tablespoons. Mix until just combined. If the dough is too crumbly, add an extra tablespoon of ice water.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Bring it together gently, forming it into a disk. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
5. When you’re ready to roll out the dough, place the disk on a floured surface and let it sit for about 10 minutes to soften slightly.
6. Roll out to your desired thickness, about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer to your pie pan and trim any excess dough. Crimp the edges as desired.
7. You can either pre-bake the crust depending on your pie recipe, or fill it and bake as directed.
Pie-cing It Together: Tips, Variations, and Serving Suggestions
– **Extra Flaky:** For even flakier crusts, you can freeze the butter instead of just keeping it cold. Shred the frozen butter into the flour mixture for tiny, wispy pieces of butter.
– **Flavor Boost:** Experiment by adding some finely grated lemon zest or a sprinkle of herbs like rosemary to the dough for a unique twist.
– **No Blind Baking?** If you don’t want to bother with blind baking, just fill the crust with your desired filling and continue baking according to your pie recipe.
So, my wonderful friends, I just can’t wait for you to try this All Butter Pie Crust. It’s a kitchen classic that I return to time and time again, perfect for creating sweet and savory delights. I hope you feel inspired to make it your own! Once you’ve tried it, please come back and share your experience—I love hearing your baking adventures! Happy pie-making!
