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Pastry for Pies and Tarts

Pastry for Pies and Tarts

A recipe that belongs in every pie lover’s collection! If you’re making a baked pie crust, a one-crust or two-crust pie or tart, what you need to know can be found in this recipe.

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( 46 Ratings)

46 Ratings

5 Stars 72%

4 Stars 13%

3 Stars 13%

2 Stars 0%

1 Stars 2%

Member Reviews ( 15 )
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  • PREP TIME 15 Min
  • TOTAL TIME 1 Hr
  • SERVINGS 8

 

1
cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1/2
teaspoon salt
1/3
cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening
2
to 3 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 Unbaked One-Crust Pie Crust: Mix flour and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).

    Gather pastry into a ball. Shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened round of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.

    Roll pastry, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate, or 3 inches larger than 10- or 11-inch tart pan. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side and being careful not to stretch pastry, which will cause it to shrink when baked.

    Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1 inch from rim of pie plate. Fold and roll pastry under, even with plate; flute as desired. Continue with directions in pie recipe.

  • 2 Baked Pie Crust: Heat oven to 475ºF. Mix flour and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).

    Gather pastry into a ball. Shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened round of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.

    Roll pastry, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.

    For pie, trim overhanging edge of pastry 1 inch from rim of pie plate. Fold and roll pastry under, even with plate; flute as desired. For tart, trim overhanging edge of pastry even with top of tart pan. Prick bottom and side of pastry thoroughly with fork. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown; cool on wire rack.

  • 3 Two-Crust Pie: Mix 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Cut in 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with 4 to 6 tablespoons cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).

    Gather pastry into a ball. Divide in half and shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened rounds of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.

    Roll one round on lightly floured surface, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.

    Spoon desired filling into pastry-lined pie plate. Roll other round of pastry. Fold into fourths and cut slits so steam can escape. Unfold top pastry over filling; trim overhanging edge 1 inch from rim of plate. Fold and roll top edge under lower edge, pressing on rim to seal; flute as desired. Continue as directed in pie or tart recipe.

Expert Tips

You can taste the difference! Pie crusts made with self-rising flour differ in flavor and texture from those made with all-purpose flour.

If you want, you can use self-rising flour. Just be sure to leave out the salt!

Got questions? Our experts have the answers. Ask Betty now.

Nutrition Information:

Nutrition Information:

1 Serving (1 Serving)
  • Calories 145
    • (Calories from Fat 90 ),
  • Total Fat 10 g
    • (Saturated Fat 3 g,),
  • Cholesterol 0mg;
  • Sodium 150 mg;
  • Total Carbohydrate 12 g
    • (Dietary Fiber 0g,
  • Protein 2 g;
Percent Daily Value*:
    Exchanges:
    • 1 Starch;
    • 1 1/2 Fat;
    *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

    Review & Comments

    Write a Review
    1 - 3 of 15 Reviews View All
    Posted 11/20/2012 11:38:56 AM REPORT ABUSE jailnurse said:
    Rating:
    I've been using this crust recipes ever since I learned how to bake pies! It is THE BEST! Everyone begs me to bake pies, and I do have little secrets that I follow with this recipe and I will share them here. 1. I increase the ingredients by 50% so each crust is thicker. 2. I put the water in the freezer so it is VERY cold. 3. Do not overmix or over-roll; don't mess with it too much, it will lose flakiness. Those last 2 things were emphasized to me by an old-time baker named Rudy (RIP). Oh, he made THE BEST pie crust and bread! I sure do miss him and his baked goods!
    This reply was: Helpful  Inspiring
    Posted 3/5/2012 7:18:43 PM REPORT ABUSE EatMice said:
    Rating:
    Love this recipe. One day, I decided to try the old way and substituted lard. It was flakier. I buy lard just for this now.
    This reply was: Helpful  Inspiring
    Posted 11/22/2011 9:41:49 PM REPORT ABUSE Bsolan said:
    Rating:
    I use this recipe and add a T. sugar and a 1/2 tsp vinegar. I get compliments every time I make it. Very flaky and tasty with the added sugar and no lard flavor. Be sure to cover it with foil until the last 10 min.
    This reply was: Helpful  Inspiring
    1 - 3 of 15 Reviews View All
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