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Pie Crust Without Shortening Recipe recipe photo - Pie Crust Without Shortening Recipe by Jan

Pie Crust Without Shortening Recipe

Published: April 25, 2025 Prep Time: About 20 minutes Cook Time: About 15 minutes Total Time: About 35 minutes Serves: 1 double crust Difficulty: Medium Category: Dessert Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup ice water
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar
  2. Add cold butter and cut in with pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
  3. In a small bowl, mix ice water and vinegar
  4. Gradually add water mixture to flour mixture
  5. Mix until dough just comes together
  6. Divide dough in half and shape into disks
  7. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour
  8. Roll out dough on floured surface
  9. Transfer to pie plate and trim edges
  10. For double crust, add filling and top with second crust
  11. Seal edges and cut vents in top
  12. Bake according to pie recipe directions

Special Notes

This pie crust recipe uses butter instead of shortening for a flakier, more flavorful crust. The key is to keep the butter cold and not overwork the dough. The apple cider vinegar helps tenderize the crust. This recipe makes enough for a double-crust pie. The dough can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

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