If you ever plan on making a pie, you’re going to need to know what a pie crust is. A pie crust is a dough that goes around the filling inside your pie. A pie crust is a type of pastry dough that bakes in the oven, and it can be sweet or savory. The most common types of pie crusts are made with leavening agents such as flour, baking powder, and shortening. Pie crusts may also contain salt and sugar.
Crusts often include other ingredients to enhance taste, texture, appearance, or cooking properties, such as butter and lard. It’s usually made with flour, butter, salt, water, or another type of liquid. Many different flours are used for this dough, depending on what other ingredients are added. The type of pie you’re making influences the kind of crust you’ll need to use. The recipes for these different crusts vary, but all follow the general structure.
Some Major Tips –
- The right balance between moisture and fat content is key to achieving the best results in the dough. Too much butter or shortening can make your crust tough and overly greasy, while too little will lead to a dry, crumbly pastry with limited flakiness in its layers.
- The balance in moisture in the dough is established by adding water at room temperature or melted ice water.
- Water is added to a dry dough, while melted ice water can moisten a frozen dough.
- Adjust your water and fat content by adding more of the former or less of the latter, filling in with a bit of extra flour as necessary to get your desired tenderness and flakiness in the finished pie crust.
- For best flavor and flakiness, make sure the fat you use is soft but not too warm.
- Use a fork to mix the flour and cold water first, then gently knead your dough in the bowl with floured hands until all flour bits are thoroughly moistened and you have a shaggy ball of dough.
- If you’re using a food processor, add the flour to your work bowl and pulse in the solid fat until it resembles a coarse meal.
- Add three tablespoons of ice water and pulse again (only about three or four times) until dough comes together.
- Wrap your dough in plastic and chill for at least an hour before using it.
- Use a food processor for mixing, or combine the flour and fat in a large bowl and use two knives or your fingers to cut them together until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.
- Ensure you have enough room in the freezer to layout your rolled-out sheet of dough (and make sure it is well-chilled).
- Use of ice water will add sugar to your dough.
These tips will help you make the best pie crust for any occasion. Your family and friends will appreciate the effort you put into making something special for them. A good pie crust is an art that can take time to learn, but making a good crust is well worth it. Pie warmers are the perfect choice if you want to keep your pies, pasties, sausage rolls and many other types of food hot and fresh. There are various quality pie warmers available online at very affordable prices.