This homemade pastry crust recipe is the perfect base for any pie or tart. With its flaky texture and buttery flavor, it will elevate your desserts to the next level. Whether you're making a classic apple pie or a savory quiche, this pastry crust will be the star of the show. Best of all, it's easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ to ½ cup ice water
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar until well combined.
- Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, starting with ¼ cup, and mix until the dough comes together. If necessary, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough is moist and holds together when pressed.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to the desired temperature according to your pie recipe.
- Remove one dough disk from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes to soften slightly. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to fit your pie dish, making sure to maintain an even thickness.
- Transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish and gently press it into the bottom and sides. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges.
- Fill the pie crust with your desired filling and follow the baking instructions for your specific pie recipe.
- For a pre-baked crust, prick the bottom of the crust with a fork, line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil, and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Remove the weights or beans, and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is fully cooked.
- Allow the crust to cool completely before filling it with your desired pie filling.
