When it comes to home baking, having a fool-proof pie crust recipe is an essential in any cook’s repertoire. This Easy Pie Crust Epicurious recipe is perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers looking for a quick and reliable crust that will guarantee delicious results every time. Whether you’re whipping up a classic apple pie, a savory quiche, or a sweet berry tart, this versatile pie crust will be your new go-to. With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be on your way to creating picture-perfect pies that will impress your friends and family. Let’s get baking!
**Easy Pie Crust Epicurious**
**Ingredients:**
– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
– 6-8 tablespoons ice water
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Dough:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and sugar. Add the chilled butter cubes to the dry ingredients.
2. **Cut in the Butter:** Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work quickly to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You want small, pea-sized pieces of butter throughout the dough.
3. **Add Ice Water:** Gradually sprinkle ice water over the dough, 1 tablespoon at a time. Gently mix the dough together using a fork or your hands until it starts to come together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
4. **Form a Disk:** Once the dough begins to hold its shape, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Gather the dough and shape it into a disk, handling it as little as possible. This will help keep the crust tender.
5. **Chill the Dough:** Wrap the dough disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, resulting in a flakier crust.
6. **Roll Out the Crust:** Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit for a few minutes to soften slightly. Roll out the dough into a circle large enough to fit your pie dish, about 1/8 inch thick.
7. **Place in Pie Dish:** Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to your pie dish. Gently press the dough into the bottom and sides of the dish, trimming any excess overhang with a sharp knife.
8. **Crimp the Edges:** Use your fingers to create a decorative edge by pinching and crimping the dough around the rim of the pie dish.
9. **Blind Baking (Optional):** Depending on your recipe, you may need to blind bake the crust before adding the filling. To do this, line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dry beans. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for about 15 minutes, then remove the weights and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden.
10. **Fill and Bake:** Once your crust is prepped, follow the baking instructions for your specific pie recipe. Enjoy your delicious homemade pie with this perfect crust as the base!
Creating a perfect pie crust doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With this Easy Pie Crust Epicurious recipe, you’ll be able to master the art of pie baking with confidence. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to impress everyone with your scrumptious homemade pies!
