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How to Make Homemade Pie Crust

How to Make Homemade Pie Crust

December 18, 2015

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Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House

Learn our sneaky tricks for rolling dough out flawlessly and constructing the perfect crust.

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Make Your Own Pie Crust

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House

Store-bought pie dough is undeniably convenient, but there’s satisfaction in making your own. This one comes together so easily you can make several at a time, and then stick the crusts in the freezer. Vodka adds moisture to the dough without the need for added fat. The alcohol bakes off in the oven.

Baking a crust from scratch that's lower in calories and saturated fat while still having a wonderful buttery taste and flaky texture is a tall order. But we've found a way to deliver just that—here's your step-by-step guide.

View Recipe: Homemade Pie Crust

Find more delicious recipes and how-tos in our cookbook Cooking Light's The Good Pantry: Homemade Foods & Mixes Lower in Sugar, Salt & Fat.

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1. Weigh Your Flour

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House

Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.

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2. Mix It Up

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Place flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor; pulse 10 times. Add butter, and process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Place food processor bowl and flour mixture in freezer 15 minutes.

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3. Add Fluids

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Place bowl back on processor. Combine vodka and cold water. Add vodka mixture slowly through food chute, pulsing just until combined (do not form a ball).

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4. Divide and Chill

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Divide mixture in half. Press each half gently into a 4-inch circle on plastic wrap; cover. Chill at least 1 hour.

This recipe yields 2 pie crusts. To freeze, place the dough wrapped in plastic wrap in a zip-top plastic bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

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5. Roll It Out

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If the chilled pie dough is too stiff, let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before rolling it out. To roll the dough into a circle, apply light pressure while rolling out from the center of the dough. Try to keep the dough thickness even.

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6. Make It Pretty

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House

To flute the pie dough, use two hands to pinch the edge of the crust. Put one hand on the inside edge and one hand on the outside. Push your thumb from one hand between the thumb and index finger of the other hand to form a U or V shape. Continue all the way around the pie plate.

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7. Fill and Bake

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House

Fillings can be as simple as chopping up fresh fruit and tossing it in a bowl with a few other ingredients, or stirring together pecans, bourbon, and eggs. With inspiration from our favorite pie recipes, you'll be pulling better-than-you-ever-imagined pies out of your oven. It's the sweet stuff that after-dinner dreams are made of, and now you know, crafting the dough for a beautiful pie is way easier than you think.

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Variation 1: Cranberry-Apple Pie

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Be ready for the aromas of fall to fill your kitchen as this beautiful pie bakes. We call for grade B maple syrup because it's less refined and a stronger, more "maple-y" flavor. If you use milder grade A syrup, stir in a single scrape of fresh nutmeg to boost the maple flavor.

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Variation 2: Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Credit: Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Celebrate the best of fall flavor with this creamy pumpkin pie. This version of the classic Thanksgiving pie is a fluffier, less dense version of the original, so it's perfect for serving at holiday gatherings when you want a crowd-pleaser.

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