Best Foolproof Pie Dough From Cooks Illustrated Recipes

FOOLPROOF PIE DOUGH

Foolproof Pie Dough image

Vodka is essential to the texture of the crust and imparts no flavor - do not substitute. This dough, which was developed by a test-kitchen team led by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt for "America's Test Kitchen," will be moister and more supple than most standard pie doughs and will require more flour to roll out (up to 1/4 cup).

Provided by The New York Times

Categories dessert, side dish

Time 10m

Yield 2 pie crusts

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (12 1/2 ounces)
1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons sugar
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 cup vodka, cold
1/4 cup cold water

Steps:

Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until homogeneous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds (dough will resemble cottage-cheese curds, and there should be no uncoated flour). Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl.
Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Divide dough into two even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 909, UnsaturatedFat 28 grams, Carbohydrate 74 grams, Fat 61 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 28 grams, Sodium 446 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 5 grams

FOOLPROOF PIE DOUGH (WITH VODKA!?)

Foolproof Pie Dough (With Vodka!?) image

I am so excited about this recipe! I just found it in Cook's Illustrated Magazine, November, 2007. I just may enjoy making pie crust again! The article is by J Kenji Alt.

Provided by Chef PotPie

Categories Dessert

Time 55m

Yield 1 pie, 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (12 1/2 ounces)
1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons sugar
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices (1 1/2 sticks)
1/2 cup chilled vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 cup vodka, cold
1/4 cup cold water

Steps:

Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until homogenous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour). Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl.
Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Divide dough into two even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.