Jill’s Tender Pie Crust

📜 Collection: JC | ✍️ Attribution: Jill | 📂 Category: Desserts Discover a classic recipe for an exceptionally tender and flaky pie crust crafted with vegetable shortening, an egg, and a hint of lemon juice. This versatile dough yields enough for three single 9-inch crusts, ensuring golden, melt-in-your-mouth results.


Prep TimeCook TimeInactive / Chill TimeYield / Servings
15 mins0 mins30 minsThree single 9-inch crusts

🔪 Key Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Pastry blender
  • Fork
  • Plastic wrap

Ingredients

MeasurementsIngredientsPrep / Notes
2 cupsAll-Purpose FlourSifted
2/3 cupVegetable ShorteningChilled
1 teaspoonBaking PowderNone
1/2 teaspoonSaltNone
1EggBeaten
2 tablespoonsLemon JuiceNone
3 tablespoonsWaterCold

Instructions

Step 1: Dry Ingredients and First Cut

  1. In a large bowl, sift together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  2. Add one-third of the 2/3 cup vegetable shortening to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles fine cornmeal.

Step 2: Combining and Mixing

  1. Add the remaining vegetable shortening and continue cutting it in until the particles are the size of small peas.
  2. In a separate small bowl, beat the 1 egg, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons water together until combined.
  3. Pour the liquid ingredients over the flour mixture and mix lightly with a fork until a dough just comes together, ensuring you do not overmix.

Step 3: Shaping and Chilling

  1. Divide the dough into three equal portions, shape each into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling out into a smooth, pliable pastry.

💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: Wrap shaped dough disks tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months before thawing overnight in the refrigerator.


Original Recipe Scan

![Original Handwritten Card](Pie Crust JC-1754357726037.webp)