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If you adore a flaky pie crust (and who doesn’t?), then this Crisco pie crust is the one for you! Includes the classic Crisco pie crust recipe, as well as an adapted deep dish pie crust version…
![Classic Crisco Pie Crust Recipe + Deep Dish Adaptation - Unsophisticook (1) Classic Crisco Pie Crust Recipe + Deep Dish Adaptation - Unsophisticook (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Crisco Pie Crust
Making a simple pie crust should be easy, shouldn’t it? I mean this Crisco pie crust only calls for three uncomplicated ingredients: flour, Crisco shortening, and salt, plus some cold water. Then you fill it with something tasty and voila — a delicious pie!
![Classic Crisco Pie Crust Recipe + Deep Dish Adaptation - Unsophisticook (2) Classic Crisco Pie Crust Recipe + Deep Dish Adaptation - Unsophisticook (2)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
3-Ingredient Pie Crust
So why do so many of us find this 3-ingredient pie crust so darn intimidating? For me, personally, it’s my inner perfectionist whispering that I didn’t roll it out just right.
It’s a little lopsided, with a thicker crust on one side and thinner on the other. Or perhaps it tore down the center as I was trying to situate it in the pie plate.
But then the practical side butts in and says, “Who really cares”?!? All that matters in the end is that it tastes good!” And you know what? It’s true.
We’re not trying to win any blue ribbons here, and keeping it real in the kitchen is all about trying new things and having fun while doing it. Sometimes you’ll nail it! And sometimes it will flop horribly…
But a little success rarely comes without a lot of failure — trust me.
![Classic Crisco Pie Crust Recipe + Deep Dish Adaptation - Unsophisticook (3) Classic Crisco Pie Crust Recipe + Deep Dish Adaptation - Unsophisticook (3)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Crisco Pie Crust Recipe
Ready to give it a shot? This is the Crisco pie crust recipe that we’ve traditionally used in my family, most often at Thanksgiving for my homemade pumpkin pies.
As an aside… I always thought it was my step-grandmother’s creation, so imagine my surprise when I recently saw the exact recipe printed inside a box of Crisco shortening sticks! I’ve included the original Crisco pie crust recipe, plus my adaptation which makes enough dough for two deep dish pie crusts.
![Classic Crisco Pie Crust Recipe + Deep Dish Adaptation - Unsophisticook (4) Classic Crisco Pie Crust Recipe + Deep Dish Adaptation - Unsophisticook (4)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Classic Crisco Pie Crust
Yield: 1 deep dish double pie crust
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
If you adore a flaky pie crust (and who doesn't?), then this Crisco pie crust is the one for you! Includes the classic Crisco pie crust recipe, as well as an adapted deep dish pie crust version...
Ingredients
Classic Crisco Double Pie Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup Crisco shortening, chilled
- 3-6 tablespoons ice cold water
Deep Dish Double Crisco Pie Crust
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Crisco shortening, chilled
- 6-10 tablespoons ice cold water
Instructions
- Blend flour and salt in a stand mixer bowl. Cut the chilled Crisco shortening into 4 or 5 pieces and add to the bowl.
- Using the flat beater, turn to stir speed and cut shortening into the flour until the particles are size of small peas, about 30 seconds.
- Gradually add ice cold water one tablespoon at a time until all particles are moistened. Use only enough water to make the pastry form a ball. Depending on a variety of factors, you may not need to use the full amount or you may need slightly more. Watch the dough closely as over mixing will result in a tough crust.
- Form the dough into two equal size 1/2-inch thick disks and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
- Roll to 1/8" thickness between pieces of parchment paper until you have a circle slightly larger than the circumference of your pie plate.
- Gently fold the pie pastry into quarters. Ease it into the pie plate and unfold, pressing firmly against bottom and side. Trim and crimp edges.
- Fill and bake according to the specific pie recipe you're using. If your recipe calls for a pre-baked pie crust, see recipe notes for how to blind bake a crisco pie crust.
Notes
Crisco Pie Crust With Sugar
You can add a bit of sugar to this classic crisco pie crust recipe for a slightly sweet pie crust. For the classic double pie crust version, add 2 teaspoons of sugar to the flour and salt mixture. For the deep dish pie crust version, add 1 tablespoon.
Blind Bake Crisco Pie Crust
If your pie recipe calls for a pre-baked pie crust, it's easy to blind bake this pie crust. After plating the prepared pie pastry, prick the sides and bottom thoroughly with a fork. Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until light brown. Cool completely before filling.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 servingsServing Size: 1/8 of double crust
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 280Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 290mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g
Have you tried this recipe?
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FAQs
Butter pie crust has the most flavor out of the three fats. This pie crust bakes up nice and golden brown, with plenty of flaky layers.
What is the number 2 most important thing when making pie crust? ›
#2—Add cold water
Before you start making the dough, fill a glass with ice and water. Add the ice water gradually to the dough, about one tablespoon or so at a time, and stop when the dough is just moist enough to hold together when a handful is squeezed.
Has Crisco shortening changed? ›
After the discovery that trans fats are linked with heart problems, consumers in more recent years have opted to use various substitutes for shortening. In order to compete, Crisco had to change its recipe. Since 2007, the brand has eliminated nearly all of the trans fats in its Crisco products.
What is the best type of flour to use for pie crust? ›
Flour: For a tender crust, choose a low-protein flour. Pastry flour, with a protein content of about 8-10%, ranks between all-purpose flour and cake flour. All-purpose flour works just fine for pie crusts, while cake flour might lack enough protein to form a workable, elastic dough.
What is the secret to a great pie crust? ›
Start with chilled ingredients
Butter creates a sturdy, crisp pie crust. For this, it is important to keep all ingredients cold which will inhibit the development of gluten in the flour. Use butter right out of the refrigerator and add ice-cold water to make the dough.
What happens if you put too much butter in a pie crust? ›
To maintain its shape during baking, pastry needs liquid to activate the flour's gluten. For flaky, tender texture, it also requires fat. The balance of those two ingredients is critical. Too much fat and the crust loses its structure and shrinks; too much liquid, it's hard and leathery.
What is better than Crisco? ›
Vegetable oils like canola and olive oil may be a healthier alternative to shortening because they're lower in saturated fats.
Why isn't shortening used anymore? ›
Shortening is a type of fat used in cooking and baking. It's typically made from hydrogenated vegetable oil and has a long history of use in American kitchens that dates back to the early 1900s. However, shortening has fallen out of favor in the past few decades because of its high trans fat content.
Why put vinegar in pie crust? ›
Though the science is sketchy, a few professional pie bakers swear that it improves the texture of the crust, and they wouldn't dream of making pie dough without it. (Others swear by similarly acidic ingredients like lemon juice.) The acidic properties of vinegar inhibit gluten, some will say.
Is milk or water better for pie crust? ›
Some bakers use milk or buttermilk in their pie crust. Thanks to their milk solids, both will help crust brown and add a bit of tenderness. But the classic liquid in pie crust is water — ice water, to be precise.
Tips for Making Perfect Pie Crust
Work with cold ingredients. Chilled butter and ice-cold water will help keep the dough flaky. When the crust is baked, pockets of butter release steam, creating flaky layers.
What's better Crisco shortening or butter? ›
50% Less Saturated Fat than Butter*Crisco Shortening: 3.5g saturated fat per tablespoon. Butter: 7g saturated fat per tablespoon. Crisco Shortening contains 12g total fat per serving. Excellent source of ALA Omega-3 fatty acid*Contains 710mg of ALA per serving, which is 44% of the 1.6g Daily Value for ALA.
Can I substitute butter for crisco in pie crust? ›
You shouldn't have any issue when substituting butter for shortening here. A piecrust made with butter or margarine won't be as flaky as one made with shortening. If you're a fan of flaky, you may not want to substitute butter for shortening in piecrust.
What is an advantage to using shortening as your fat in a pie crust? ›
As shortening is able to withstand higher temperatures and does not melt easily, it creates flaky and crisp yet tender pie crusts when used alone or in combination with butter.
Is pie crust better with butter or oil? ›
Butter: I try to be unbiased -- all pie is good pie. But for me, butter has always been the way to go. The flavor can't be beat, and if you know how to handle it properly it can make a supremely flaky crust. Because butter has a higher melting point, it also melts nicely in your mouth.