Grandma’s Pie Crust

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Golden, flaky, and deeply nostalgic—Grandma’s Pie Crust is more than just a shell for your favorite fillings. It’s the buttery, tender foundation of every slice of comfort, wrapped in memories and baked to perfection. Whether you’re preparing a fruit-filled masterpiece or a savory quiche, this old-fashioned crust never disappoints.

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Grandma's Pie Crust

This recipe brings back the charm of kitchen counters dusted with flour and the rhythmic sound of a rolling pin at work. Made with simple pantry staples and a touch of love, it’s an essential go-to for holidays, potlucks, or cozy family dinners. Let’s dig into what makes this crust a true heirloom worth passing on.


What Kind of Fat Should I Use in Pie Crust?

Butter gives you rich flavor and flaky layers, while shortening adds tenderness and helps with structure. Some bakers even blend both to get the best of both worlds. For Grandma’s Pie Crust, we use all butter—it delivers that crisp, golden finish and unbeatable taste.


Ingredients for the Grandma’s Pie Crust

All-Purpose Flour
Flour is the main building block. It provides structure and ensures the crust can hold all those delicious fillings.

Cold Unsalted Butter
Butter is key to a flaky texture and rich, irresistible flavor. Cold butter forms pockets that melt during baking, creating perfect layers.

Salt
Just a pinch boosts the flavor of the dough without making it salty.

Ice Water
Cold water helps bring the dough together without melting the butter. It keeps the crust tender, not tough.

Optional: Sugar
If you’re using this crust for sweet pies, a tablespoon of sugar can enhance the flavor and encourage a golden finish.


How To Make the Grandma’s Pie Crust

Step 1: Start with Cold Ingredients

Chill your butter and prepare a bowl of ice water. Cold ingredients are essential for flaky crusts.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Whisk them together to distribute the salt evenly.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work cold butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits.

Step 4: Add Ice Water Gradually

Drizzle in the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork. Stop once the dough begins to clump together.

Step 5: Bring the Dough Together

Gently knead the dough just enough to form a ball. Divide it in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Step 6: Roll and Bake

Roll out your dough on a floured surface and place it in your pie dish. Follow your pie recipe’s directions for baking.


Serving and Storing Grandma’s Pie Crust

Once baked and filled, this pie crust stays crisp for 1-2 days at room temperature. To store unbaked dough, wrap it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.


What to Serve With Grandma’s Pie Crust?

Classic Apple Pie

Nothing beats the aroma of apples, cinnamon, and Grandma’s Pie Crust baking together.

Quiche Lorraine

Transform this crust into a savory delight packed with bacon, eggs, and cheese.

Chocolate Chess Pie

Its custardy richness is the perfect match for a buttery, flaky crust.

Chicken Pot Pie

Use this crust to top a hearty and creamy chicken filling.

Lemon Meringue Pie

That tangy filling and fluffy topping need a sturdy crust to hold everything beautifully.


Want More Pie Ideas?

If Grandma’s Pie Crust has you craving more, check out these other pie-perfect favorites:


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Pin Grandma’s Pie Crust to your favorite Pinterest board so it’s always within reach when baking calls.

Put your own spin on it—swap in whole wheat flour or sprinkle sugar on the edges before baking. I’d love to know how you made it yours. Share your tweaks or questions in the comments!

Looking for more? Explore new favorites every day on my Pinterest page. There’s always something delicious waiting at SavorQueen.com.


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Grandma's Pie Crust

Grandma’s Pie Crust


  • Author: Julia Walton
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 double pie crust
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Flaky, buttery, and irresistibly nostalgic, Grandma’s Pie Crust is the ultimate foundation for any delicious pie. Whether you’re baking a sweet apple pie or a savory pot pie, this crust holds it all together with a golden, tender bite. It’s one of those easy recipes that every home baker should have in their back pocket—made from scratch using simple ingredients. Perfect for holidays, dinner ideas, or when you’re craving a cozy food idea, this crust never fails to impress. Quick to prep and freezer-friendly too, it’s your new go-to for every baking occasion.


Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 to 5 tablespoons ice water

1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for sweet pies)


Instructions

1. Chill the butter and prepare a bowl of ice water.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

3. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.

4. Add the ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just begins to come together.

5. Form the dough into a ball, divide into two discs, wrap, and chill for at least an hour.

6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and transfer to your pie dish.

7. Bake according to your specific pie recipe.

Notes

Always keep ingredients cold to ensure flakiness.

You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: Varies with filling
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Mixing and rolling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of crust)
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 95mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: easy recipe, pie crust, baking, flaky crust, homemade crust

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