This post brought to you by Crisco // When I was about 14 years old, I had a wise woman in my life, her name was Mrs. Robinson, who gave me some great advice… When in the kitchen, learn how to make one thing REALLY well. If you love chocolate cake, learn how to make the best chocolate cake. If you love pies, learn how to make the best pie out there. She said that if you have one really good dessert recipe, you could catch any guy you want. LOL!! Well, I decided that I wanted to make the perfect pie. To be more specific, I wanted to learn how to make the perfect pie crust. That way I could have several more options when it came to my man catching baking skills!
I have to say, I got pretty good at it. I was always called on to make the pies in my house during the holidays and after many attempts after awhile, they turned out nice and flaky every time. Then I met my so-to-be husband and boy was she right… He loved pies. All kinds of pies… Blueberry, Peach, Cherry & Apple. I was golden… Thank you Mrs. Robinson!!
Recently, I was asked by the lovely folks at Crisco to become a Crisco Pie Partner and I was thrilled. I'm excited for two reasons… I'm excited to share some of my hard earned pie tips and tricks with you, and that I could also honor my friend Mrs. Robinson, who has since passed on by sharing her sweet advice with all of you. So here you have it… Some tricks to making Picture Perfect Pie Crust EVERY TIME thanks to Mrs. Robinson.
With the holidays here, we are all gearing up to do all kinds of holiday baking and pies are always on the list. However, many of us have taken to using store bought frozen pie crust and my friends… it's just not the same. We have been tricked into thinking that pie crust is hard to make and it's not. It's really rather easy if you follow a few basic principles. Here are my tried and true pie crust secrets…
Tip #1 // Selecting the Right Ingredients
For years the debate with pie crust has been, which fat is better… Butter, Crisco or Lard? After MANY years of making pies and trying each option myself, I hands down select Crisco shortening every time. It just seems to make the lightest, flakiest crust each time. Sometimes I will do half butter, half Crisco if I'm wanting that buttery flavor but I always use Crisco or even the butter flavored Baking Sticks. The recipe I'm using today is your simple basic pie crust using just flour, salt, Crisco and water…
It's super simple click HERE to visit the recipe page. Can I just take a minute and thank Crisco for coming up with the Baking Sticks… I LOVE them!! No mess, no fuss and the measuring is done for you. PERFECT!!
Tip #2 // Cold Ingredients are your Friend
The absolute key to making good crust is to use COLD ingredients. I place my Crisco Baking Sticks in the freezer for a few hours before hand and I use ice cold water when mixing the crust. I also try not to touch the dough too much with my warm hands. That will also cause the dough to warm up and you don't want that.
The reason why you want things to stay cold is… You want your Crisco to stay solid and in small little pieces within the crust. When those little nuggets are hit by the heat in the oven that is what makes those flaky little pockets in the crust that we love so much. Without those little gems, your crust will turn out solid and tough and not a whole lot of fun to eat.
To start, I place my flour and salt in a large bowl. Then I remove the Crisco from the freezer and cut it into small pieces…
Sometimes, I even stick the Crisco back in the freezer for a few minutes after I have cut it, in order for it to chill again. Then I place my shortening into the bowl with my flour and salt. Using a pastry cutter I cut the Crisco into the flour…
Again, you want to make sure to leave your shortening in small little pea size pieces so don't over work.
Tip #3 // The Key is a Light Hand
When it comes to working with this kind of dough. a light hand is key. Don't over mix the Crisco into the flour. Next, you will lightly fold in the cold ice water into the dough. I use a rubber spatula at this stage and gently fold in the water starting with one tablespoon and slowly mixing it just until the dough starts to come together. Again… light hand here. The more you mix the tougher the dough will be.
For this crust, the recipe calls for 3-6 tablespoons of water. I ended up using 4 but, that will depend on your environment where you are baking. You may need more, you may need less. Then I pour the loose dough out onto a clean board and this is what it should look like…
Now, this is the one step where I will quickly use my hands. I carefully pull the dough together and form it into a disk like so…
Then I wrap it in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. Once it has chilled again, than I am ready to roll it out. On a clean floured surface I roll out my dough. I carefully turn the dough after a few passes with the rolling pin, to ensure that the dough doesn't stick to the board. You may even need to turn it and flour your surface a few times. But, be careful not to over flour.
Then using your rolling pin as a handy tool… roll the dough onto your pie plate…
I trim my edges a bit and then crimp my edges using my two finger pinching method…
Now, you have the perfect canvas for any pie that you can dream up…
Not sure what to make? Crisco has you covered! Here are some fabulous resources for creating the perfect pie…
- You can call the Crisco Pie Hotline 1-877-FOR PIE TIPS (877-367-7438) for all kinds of around the clock PIE help this holiday season!
- Crisco has a Picture Perfect Pie Pinterest board that has all kinds of fabulous recipes.
- The Crisco Kitchen has teamed up with Michele Stuart owner of Michele's pies in Connecticut, she is over at Crisco's site sharing all kinds of fun pie tips and ideas.
- Crisco is hosting a fun Rate & Review contest for a chance to win a Michele Stuart pie prize pack. Visit the Rate & Review site to rate your favorite pie for a chance to win!
I hope Crisco and I have inspired you to pass on the freezer pie crust and try your hand in a truly homemade pie. I promise, if you follow these tips you will blow your family away with your scrumptious pies this year! In order to do just that… Crisco is giving away a fabulous Perfect Pie Prize Pack to one of you!! Here is what you will win…
- Breville Personal Pie Maker
- Babycakes Pie Pop Maker
- Sur La Table® Ruffled Pie Plates
- Lattice pie top cutter
- Pie Pop sticks
A Prize Pack valued at $200!! Follow the directions in the Rafflecopter box below to enter. This giveaway is open to those with a shipping address within the United States and will be open from November 27-January 2 with the winner announced on January 3rd.
Disclaimer // This post is sponsored by Crisco. I did receive payment for development of this post.
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Coconut cream pie, hands down….although the more I think about it the more I want a piece of that banana cream pie. Totally not Thanksgiving-like pies, but I can eat them anytime of year!
I agree ! CRISCO is a must and ice water ! I've learned long ago to not overwork the dough. FLAKEY delectable crust ! yum yum !
Chocolate Chess is hands down my favorite!! But any pie is wonderful.
I've never been able to make a good pie crust. Thanks for the tips!
Brown Sugar Apple Pie looks yummy!
Apple pie is one of my favorites to make.
Pumpkin Parmeson Empanadas. Love these!
That autumn apple cobbler is speaking to me! Mmm….
Thank you for these helpful tips. They will come in handy for me today (since I am baking 5 pies today). I did a review on the Georgia Peach Pie.
The banana cream pie is simply the best as I said in my glowing review!
Oh yummy the pumpkin empanadas. Thank you for the pie crust recipe, giving this a try.
Bannana cream pie tops it all. thanks fawn
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I make a one crust lemon pie and so the crust has to stand out. Crisco helps make it the best.
Brown Sugar Apple pie
The coconut cream pie is my favorite! It has always been a favorite pie in my family and I cannot wait to give this one a try.
I love the flavor brown sugar adds, so I of course am all over the Brown Sugar Apple Pie
I've been making pie crust with Crisco forever – my Grandmother's recipe! Great post!!
I Love pecans, definitely spiced pumpkin pecan pie!
Pineapple is my favorite or maybe Banana Cream, there is too many kinds that are goodl
Spiced pumpkin pecan pie, a combo of my 2 favorite Thanksgiving pies!
If I had to pick one I would probably have to pick the spiced pumpkin pecan. Pumpkin and pecan are in my top three favorites. I'll have to try combining them this year!
Apples, apples, apples….how can a few trees put out so much fruit? Thankfully, I LOVE apple pie!
Brown sugar apple… classic
PECAN PIE
Mmm, spiced pumpkin pecan pie? That might actually make me like pumpkin pie!
The Brown Sugar Apple Pie looks like my favorite. I can't wait to try making it.
pecan pie
I wish I had some of the triple berry right about now…
The spiced pecan pumpkin pie sounds delicious!
If you don't mind, what is the name of the font that spells "picture perfect" ? I love it. The pie looks incredible too!
I love Coconut Creme pie, that one is my favorite!
apple…hands down
Brown Sugar Apple Pie
Did someone say pie?? Love them all but especially the coconut cream. Also sour cream apple is a favorite.
I'd never use any other shortening than Crisco in it! I am intrigued by the little pie maker. I learned to make this pie crust recipe on my honeymoon many, many years ago and, like your friend said, learned to be the best at pie making that I could be. She was right 🙂
Triple Berry sounds awesome!
That pecan/pumpkin pie looks wonderful!!
Looks great!
Mmmmmmpie. My husband’s favorite food group
Love banana cream…crisco is The only way to go
Crisco & ice water is hands down the most important part!!
My mom makes epic pie crust and she also warned not to use your hands too much! Now I know why! Thanks!
The banana cream pie looks food it’s my husband’s favorite.
Triple berry apple hand pie fascinates me! I would definitely give that one a spin.
The coconut cream pie is our family favorite . We love it!
The coconut cream pie is delicious. I've been nervous to make pie crusts, but because of your tips, I'm willing to give it a try!
I never make a pie without Crisco.
I've never seen a little pie maker like that before! I NEED THIS.
I rated the brown sugar apple pie. Yummy!
Yummy
Just made a couple pies
I live apple and my guy likes cherry
But this time of year I enjoy pumpkin pie
My family loves all types of pies……pecan, chocolate, chess, pumpkin, apple, cherry, coconut, peach…..we never met a pie one of us didn't like!
Love pies–good tips on putting it back into the freezer in between times–
My favorite thing to bake is pies! I'm going w/the Brown Sugar Apple Pie!
My favorite is the All-American Cherry Pie.
Coconut Creame Pie Love this one.
love coconut cream
Banana Creme Pie. My pie crust always shrinks down so it's not at the top of the pan. Any advice or tips on this? I try to make sure it's pressed in good but still no success.
Georgia peach pie so yummy
Georgia Peach!!
i could eat coconut cream pie morning, noon, and night!!!YUMMMMM
Triple berry apple hand pie.
I love apple pie
Brown sugar apple pie; apple pie is my favorite!
Pecan Pie is my favorite then apple pie
I love the Buttermilk Lemon Pie. A great tasting twist on a classic.
Pumpkin Caramel Trifle!!!!
Apple!
Raspberry pie!!! YUMMO!!!
what an amazing giveaway!!! I would love to win this for my sister!! she is a wonderful baker!!!! 🙂
The brown sugar apple pie hands down.
The coconut sounds amazing!!!
Sweet potato pie
Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Pie
The spiced pecan pumpkin pie sounds awesome!
The Autumn Apple cobbler looks soooooo good. 🙂
apple cobbler – warm, with a little touch of cinnamon or vanilla ice cream on top. please and thank you!
This time of year, I love pear pie, but I didn't see that on the list, so I'll go with apple. During the summer, though, peach pie all the way!
The Autumn Apple cobbler looks wonderful!!
Pecan pie 🙂
Coconut cream, beautiful
Banana! Always my fave!
Love the buttermilk lemon pie
I have dreams of lemon meringue pies. Mmmmmm
Coconut Creme Pie, YUM!
my eighth-grade home-ec teacher taught us this recipe 60years ago, except to cut the Crisco in with crossed table knives. I made perfect pies until the middle seventies when the dog, who never touched table food ate my four pies I had made and left on the counter the night before thanksgiving. haven't made a pie since.
I Love pie! Triple Berry pie has my vote!
Blueberry…my ultimate favorite..and watching my girls decorate their pies! Memories I cherish!
My chose Pumpkin Pie. Always a favorite of mine.
Just got new glass pie plates from Big Lots! Can’t wait to try this method….especially in the summer! Thanks!
Oh my! The brown sugar apple pie for sure!!!
coconut cream…………
brown sugar apple pie
Nothing like the smell of apple pie coming out of the oven….mmmmm..
Still trying for the perfect pie crust! Thanks for the advice, I already have my man and he does love pie!
Daughter wants to catch a guy!! Great advice!! 😉
Beautiful pie crust! My husband likes pies too, so I needed the help!!
I rated the brown sugar apple pie.
Cherry pie – yum!
My kids declared the banana cream pie was the one they'd most like me to bake next:)
Thanks for the tips. I struggle with pie crust, whereas my mother is a master. I did say, however, that I was going to work at it…
Yum! I'm going with the Brown Sugar Apple Pie!
I rated the brown sugar apple pie!
I really need to practice making pie dough, still not my best baking skill. But I make a great chocolate cake 🙂
I picked the coconut cream pie 🙂 I have never made one before, but it looks good!
My grandma made great pie crusts and she used cold ingredients too.
Coconut cream pie got my vote.
I love making my own pie crust dough. I usually make apple and pumpkin pies.
I would love to win the $200 perfect pie crust pack! I love to bake pecan, apple, pumpkin, blueberry pies. Am also learning to make them all gluten free for my hubby who was newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease right at this holiday. 🙁 I always make my own pie crust because nothing tastes better. Happy baking!