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perfect-flaky-piecrust

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

During my early days as a pastry chef, the perfect piecrust seemed to elude me. When I complained to my grandmother, she offered me her prized recipe, which had served her well over a lifetime of baking. It is always falky and tender and I’ve been using it ever since. A touch of vinegar helps prevent the formation of gluten, which toughens piecrust. This recipe makes four 9-inch crusts; extras freeze beautifully.

Yield : Makes four 9-inch piecrusts

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon water

Directions

Place the flour, sugar, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add the shortening and mix with a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.

Combine the egg, vinegars, and water, add to the flour mixture, and mix until the flour is moistened. Divide into 4 portions, shaping each into a disc. Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 1 week.

Notes

Make-ahead note:

The crust can be refrigerated up to 1 week or frozen up to 1 month; defrost overnight in the refrigerator before rolling.


© 1996 Debra Ponzek and Joan Schwartz
 

Nutritional Information

Nutrients per serving

Nutritional information is based on 1 whole pie crust.

1336 kcal
3 % daily value
0 % daily value
1 % daily value
158 mg
30 mg
15 g
3 g
3 g
98 g
67 mg
606 mg
25 g
99 g
34 % daily value

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