How to Make Grandma’s Pie Crust With Butter and Crisco
A recipe for one pie crust to rule them all: the perfect combination of butter, shortening, and a touch of sugar.
Pie crusts have a reputation for being difficult to make, and they can be. There are so many opinions and different techniques that it’s enough to make you throw up your hands and buy a premade one (for which I would NEVER judge you).
But making your own is no big deal. This recipe is easy to follow, and you can make it the day before so you aren’t stressed.
It’s versatile enough to be used for both sweet and savory pies.
Pie Crust with Butter and Shortening (Tender + Flaky)
Equipment
- Food processor or pastry blender
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cold unsalted butter 1 ½ sticks
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable shortening such as Crisco (If you don't have shortening, you can substitute butter. All butter pastry is lovely too.)
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Cut the butter into the flour. Chop the butter into about eight pieces using a knife and blend them into the flour by pulsing with a food processor or using a pastry blender. Keep working until the butter is the size of small peas.
- Add the remaining ingredients to form a dough. Add the salt, sugar, shortening, and water and stir by hand or with the food processor. Mix until a dough forms. It will look slightly dry and crumbly, but should come together as a ball. If it is does not, add more water one teaspoon at a time.
- Allow dough to rest. Turn dough out onto a cutting board and divide in two. Shape the pieces into rough discs and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in the fridge to chill for at least one hour, or up to overnight.
- Roll out and prepare for filling. Place discs to warm at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before rolling out. Unwrap the first one and place on a generously floured counter. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out to desired thickness. Carefully transfer to the pie plate and trim and crimp the edges.
Notes
We love, love, LOVE this pie crust recipe in our house. I mean, who doesn’t love a good homemade pie, right? This crust is a game-changer for us because it’s the perfect mix of buttery goodness and flaky perfection. It’s like a little piece of magic every time I make it.
I remember the first time I tried this recipe, I was a bit nervous because pie crusts have a reputation for being tricky. But this one was so easy and turned out beautifully. My family was amazed, and it quickly became a staple in our kitchen. Now, whether it’s apple pie, chicken pot pie, or even a simple pumpkin pie, this crust always delivers.
Making pies with this crust has become a bit of a tradition for us. It’s not just about the delicious result, but also about the joy of making something from scratch.
Plus, it’s so versatile and works with any filling we throw at it. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!
Ingredients
Butter adds great flavor to everything, and baked goods especially, but Crisco has a magic way of improving texture. The solution? Use a pie crust recipe that uses both!
The easiest way to cut flour into butter is to use your food processor. A few pulses make quick work of it.
If you don’t have a food processor, I’d recommend grabbing a pastry blender. It’s like a giant rolling fork and makes quick work of this step. It’s super handy for biscuits and crumb toppings too.
Trimming and Crimping
If you use a baking dish with high edges, such as deep-dish or quiche pans, it might be that no trimming is needed. But if you want to use a regular pie dish, you’ll need to trim it a bit. You want a one-inch overhang, and the easiest way to do this is with kitchen shears.
For a one-crust pie, crimp before you fill. For a double crust, crimp at the end. Push the inner edge out with the index finger of one hand while pinching the outer edge in with the thumb and index finger of the other. Repeat over all edges of your pie. You’ll get a classic scalloped edge.
And there’s nothing wrong with just pressing a fork all along the edge if you don’t want to crimp!
How to Blind Bake
Blind baking means you’re baking an empty pie shell. If your recipe calls for a pre-baked crust, here’s how you do it.
- Line the crust with parchment paper, then fill the pie with pie weights to prevent it from shrinking.
- Bake at 375 degrees until the edges of the crust are golden brown, about 30 minutes.
- For a partially baked crust, bake for about 10 minutes, and the crust will continue baking once filled.
FAQs
If you don’t have shortening, you can substitute butter. All butter pastry is lovely too.
You’ll need to blind-bake, and blind baking means you’re baking an empty pie shell.
Line the crust with parchment paper, then fill the pie with pie weights to prevent it from shrinking.
Bake at 375 degrees until the edges of the crust are golden brown, about 30 minutes.
For a partially baked crust, bake for about 10 minutes, and the crust will continue baking once filled.
Yes, this recipe is versatile and works well for various pies such as apple pie, pumpkin pie, peach pie, and even savory pies like chicken pot pie.
Substitutions and Variations
- If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a pastry cutter or even two forks to cut the butter into the flour mixture.
- For a double-crust pie, ensure you have enough dough to cover the bottom and top of your pie. This recipe makes enough for a double crust, but you can halve it for a single-crust pie.
- Egg Wash: For a beautifully browned crust, brush the top with an egg wash before baking.
I hope you find this pie crust recipe as enjoyable and reliable as I do. It’s a simple, versatile recipe that works for both sweet and savory pies. With just a few basic ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create a delicious homemade pie crust that’s sure to impress. Happy baking!
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.