Ask BFFF: How to Make a Pie Crust

Baking a pie crust is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as a home baker. Pulling a delicious, golden brown pie out of the oven is an indescribable feeling, but knowing that you made the entire pie, including the crust, from scratch makes the experience even better. There are four main ingredients in a standard pie crust: flour, butter, liquid, and salt. The specific measurements vary from recipe to recipe. I’m fond of this Making a Pie Crust Step-by-Step article from Allrecipes for any beginning pie crust bakers. It provides step-by-step instructions (along with photos) for the entire pie making process, and advises you on how to prepare a pie for different types of filling (fruit, icebox, etc.). For a perfect, flaky pie crust, you’ll want to use chilled ingredients and a lot of restraint. It can be easy to want to dump all of your water in right away or to heat up your butter to make working with the dough easier. But in the end, your patience will be rewarded with a warm, irresistible pie crust ready for your favorite filling.