Best Flakiest Pie Crust Recipes

WORLD'S BEST AND FLAKIEST PIE CRUST BAR NONE!

Steps:

• 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine Flour, Baking Powder and Salt. Add Lard and mix until very crumbly.
• 2. Pour 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar into a 1 cup measuring cup. Beat in 1 egg. Fill to the 1 cup line with ice cold water. Mix well.
• 3. Pour liquids into flour/lard mixture and blend well.
• 4. Divide into 5 parts for individual pie crusts. Roll out on floured board and be amazed!
• 5. For sweet pies, glaze with brushed egg yolk and sugar. For meat pies, glaze and salt. Keeps up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

THE FLAKIEST PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a large bowl, sift flour with sugar and salt.
• Cut in shortening and butter. Pea-sized chunks are fine, but slightly larger chunks will really make a difference.
• In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolks and vinegar. Add 2/3 cup of water (more if you live in a dry climate, and less if it is a particularly humid day). You can always add tablespoons of water to the dough later.
• Pour the liquids mixture into flour/butter mixture. Stir together and add a little water if necessary. Mixture should be just moist enough for you to form it into a ball. *Note: I like to have just enough moisture so crumbs in the bowl will stick to the dough if you pat them on.
• Cover the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 MINUTES - this allows the gluten to develop and the dough to get a bit flakier :). (Or so Grandma says.).
• Divide into 6 pieces, use what you need, and flatten the rest into 1/4" disks (or 1/8" if you really want to have an easy time thawing the dough). Put them in the freezer and thaw when needed (or just wanted)!

FLAKIEST PIE CRUST EVER

Steps:

• 1. Place flour and butter in food processor. Pulse until it resembles coarse meal. Add 1 tbsp of ice water at time (while pulsing) add just enough until dough starts to cling together. I used 6 tbsp.
• 2. Remove blade and dough and form into a ball, roll out on a lightly floured surface. Place in a 9" pie plate, cut edges. Place in fridge for at least 30 min. OR wrap ball into plastic wrap for 30 min. Remove and roll out and place in pie plate.
• 3. If pre-baking, place parchment paper or foil on top of crust, place dried beans on top. Bake at 375° for about 25 min.

FLAKIEST PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Toss butter in flour mixture to evenly coat. Working quickly and aggressively, use your fingers to rub butter into flour to create large, shaggy pieces of dough (the idea is to smash the butter into the flour, creating some pieces that are flat and thin and some that are large and chunky). Combine vinegar and 3 Tbsp. ice water in a small bowl and drizzle over flour mixture, running your fingers through the flour as you drizzle to evenly distribute (think of running your fingers through your hair). Knead dough in the bowl until it starts to come together (it will still look a little dry). Turn dough out onto a work surface and knead 1 or 2 more times, pressing to incorporate shaggy edges. Divide dough into 2 pieces and press into about 1"-thick disks. Wrap with plastic and chill at least 1 hour. Do Ahead: Dough can be made 5 days ahead; keep chilled, or freeze up to 1 month.