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Grandma's Secret Pie Crust

Read Reviews (201)

"The secret's out! A great basic pie crust recipe." — Felicia Bass

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How to Make Pie Crust

Types of Salt

All about Eggs

Measuring All-Purpose Flour

Original recipe makes 2 crusts Change Servings

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups shortening

1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
4 tablespoons water

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Directions

In large bowl mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening with two butter knifes.
In separate bowl, mix together egg, vinegar, and water. Drizzle wet mixture into dry mixture, cutting it in.
Roll out dough, and fit into two 9 inch pie pans.
Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 12 minutes.

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I read all 100 plus reviews and the main thing I came up with was that chilling the dough for an hour helps. I also used a food processor to cut in the butter which I used instead of shortening. I didnt have to use as much liquid as stated. I added a little bit at a time. After chilling the dough still seemed quite soft and I thought it was goin to be hard to work with but it wasn't. My aunt (walking cookbook and great pastry maker) has tried for years to bring my pastry up from just passable and failed. After eating a quiche made with this my dad said I'll tell Aunty Ellen you've finally made it. Thanks

—KEZ

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Jan 14, 2010

I am not sure what I did wrong with this recipe, but it didn't come out very good at all! I followed it exactly as written, except that I substituted half of the shortening with butter. I also needed to add one extra tablespoon of water to get the dough to come together. I was making it for a chicken pot pie, so I stuck the dough in the fridge while I cooked up the rest of the ingredients. There was no problem rolling out the dough. It looked really pretty and for a moment I had high hopes for it. But when it came out of the oven, the bottom crust was all soggy and doughy. The top crust was nice and crisp, though I have to say that the flavor was completely unremarkable. I was hoping for something buttery and flaky. Instead it tasted like baked homemade play dough. I was so disappointed after all that work to make a chicken pot pie from scratch! At dinner time everyone ended up picking around the crust and only eating the chicken and vegetables. Even my dog wouldn't eat the crust, so it all ended up in the trash bin. I'm sorry but I definitely will not be making this again!

—Goldana

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236 Ratings

Nov 04, 2004

The most delicious, light, flaky pastry I have ever made for my pies - and that's saying something! I made it with butter, as usual, and YUM! For the flakiest pastry, stop cutting in the shortening when it is about the size of a pea, no finer. People who say the recipe didn't work for them, please remember that there are many variables when adding liquid to flour: eggs aren't all the same size, and the humidity of the day will affect how much of the liquid mixture the flour will need. Cut in the liquid a bit at a time, be patient, and when the dough comes together, just stop.

—Morena

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Oct 09, 2003

This is the REAL thing-I should know I've been making pies for almost 40 years. I use a food processor for 'cutting' the shortening in-then mix in the liquid by hand-you have better control that way-and you won't overmix and make the crust tough..... The results are spectacular-flaky, tender and easy to roll-even for the beginner. Do agree with other reviewers-refrigerating the dough an hour or more always makes it easier to roll.

—Ruth Phillips

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Feb 09, 2008

I confess... For years I have bought the frozed pie crusts at the stores because of a few fail attempts. If it had a top crust, I didn't make it. And I love to bake and love a challenge, so why I did this for so long I cannot say. So I used this wonderful site and all of your tips, and with this recipe I made an amazing crust. Could not have turned out better. Here are the tips I followed: 1. Chill the bowl and the fat. 2. Do not "over-cut" the fat into the flour mix. You want some lumps-they make it flakey. 3.Chill the dough again while you make your filling. 4. MOST HELPFUL FOR ME: Roll the dough out ONCE and do so in between two sheets of wax paper. Remove one sheet and line up on pie plate, push into place and remove second sheet. Do not be afraid of pie crust like I was for way too long. These tips really ease the process and give wonderful results. No more tough dough stuck to the counters!

—gooddealmeg

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Jun 28, 2010

If you have ever had trouble with pie crust this recipe is for you! I used butter flavored Crisco and had no trouble at all. I chilled the dough and rolled it between two pieced of wax paper and it came out beautifully. I would definitely use this recipe again and again!

—Jillian

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Jan 18, 2005

This is THE recipe for pie crust!!!! I have made this dozens of times since finding it and each time I get PERFECT pie crust!!! For those who are having trouble with this recipe: Measure carefully, Add liquids SLOWLY and only enough to form a ball at the most. For those who are throwing the leftover pie crust away: Lay out flat on cookie sheet, spray with cooking spray, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, cut into bars or squares and bake at same temp as recipe till golden. My dad calls these "pie-crust cookies" and accuses me of trying to make him fat!!!

—Emily

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Oct 23, 2009

While I do love lard or butter in pie crusts, I used none of either. After all, I chose a shortening pie crust recipe and thought it only fair to the recipe and its submitter to prepare it as written. And it was perfect. This crust is SO tender and flaky! Heck, it flakes as you CUT it it's so flaky! Simply a beautiful crust and if basic pie crust techniques are followed you will have no problems. This will be one of those rare pie crusts where none is left behind on the plate!

—naples34102

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Nutrition

Calories
231 kcal
12%

Carbohydrates
17.9 g
6%

Cholesterol
13 mg
4%

Fat
16.6 g
25%

Fiber
0.6 g
3%

Protein
2.8 g
6%

Sodium
150 mg
6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Grandma's Secret Pie Crust

Serving Size: 1/16 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 16
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 231
Calories from Fat: 149

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16.6g 25 %
Saturated Fat 4.1g 21 %
Cholesterol 13mg 4 %
Sodium 150mg 6 %
** Potassium 29mg < 1 %
Total Carbohydrates 17.9g 6 %
Dietary Fiber 0.6g 3 %
Protein 2.8g 6 %
Sugars 0.1g
Vitamin A < 1 %
Vitamin C 0 %
Calcium < 1 %
Iron 11 %
** Thiamin 19 %
** Niacin 15 %
** Vitamin B6 < 1 %
** Magnesium 2 %
** Folate 25 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.