How to Make Pie Crust by Hand

unsalted butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil provides a dairy-free option while margarine is often less expensive.

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cake flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients, while cake flour is usually cheaper.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey is a natural sweetener, while brown sugar can be less expensive.

cold water

Chop cold butter into half inch cubes.

Add butter to flour and salt.

Stir around and break up all the pieces to coat them in flour.

Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter, pushing down and turning until all pieces are size cubes.

Alternatively, cut in the butter by hand, pushing the pieces flat between fingers and adding them back into the bowl.

Rub everything together with thumbs and fingers, or roll it between hands until butter is in small pieces and incorporated into the flour.

Drizzle in ice cold water and mix using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.

Start by adding about half of the water and mix, then drizzle in more water a little at a time.

Add just enough water until there are no more crumbly dry bits at the bottom.

Once the dough can be moved into a large block and holds together, it's ready.

If there are still crumbly dry pieces, pick up the dough and add a tiny bit of water to the bottom, then press it all together again.

Add the piece of dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and cover it completely.

Use hands to flatten the dough and seal any cracks around the edges.

Use a rolling pin to flatten it out nicely.

Place the dough in the fridge to hydrate.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens