From my first galettes using store-bought dough, to several galettes and pies later tweaking my own homemade dough, I think it’s time to write out the recipe all on its own.
Apples and pears to my latest leftover shepherd’s pie, sweet or savory, creased simply or as a jeweled crown, I cannot recommend this recipe enough.
I also recommend John Kanell’s video, How to Make Pie Crust. He’s become my favorite go-to for great baking tips.
Scrumptious Pie Dough/Crust
Ingredients
Dough
- 280 g all-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups)
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar See notes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 180 g unsalted butter very cold (1 1/2 sticks)
- 5 Tablespoons iced water
Instructions
- Freeze butter for 10 minutes or until very cold.
- Working on a cold surface, use a sharp knife to cube butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Add ice cold cubed butter, tossing to combine. Working quickly to avoid warming, use your hands to break up butter into smaller pieces, like coarse sand or small peas. I make all doughs by hand, but you may also use a food processor for this as long as you avoid over-mixing.
- Drizzle a few spoonfuls of iced water on mixture and toss to moisten. Continue adding remaining water until dough is crumbly but holds together when squeezed with fingers. To ensure a flaky crust, work quickly and do not over-process.
- Transfer dough (still crumbly) onto a piece of plastic wrap. Once wrapped, lightly form dough into a thick disk.
- Refrigerate 1-2 hours (and up to 3 days).
Notes
Other great tips for apple / fruit pies:
1-Should I cook apples before adding to pie dough?
Yes! Precooking the filling is the secret to a perfect apple pie. You’ll get just the right amount of sweetness and your pie is less likely to become soggy.
2-How do I thicken apple pie filling?
Flour works well, but if you prefer gluten-free, you may opt for cornstarch. Do keep in mind that cornstarch will thicken the filling more than flour, so use less.
3-Why did my apple pie turn out runny?
Overripe apples, pie filling too thin, pie still too hot when sliced, these are all some things to avoid when making apple pie. Make sure that your filling is thickened enough, and give your pie enough time to set after baking.
