Mac’s Flaky All-Shortening Pie Crust
📜 Collection: UK15 | ✍️ Attribution: Mac | 📂 Category: Desserts A classic, tender, and flaky pie crust from Mac, made with shortening and enriched with an egg and a touch of vinegar for an easy-to-handle dough that freezes beautifully.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 mins | 0 mins | 30 mins | One double-crust or two single 9-inch pie crusts |
🔪 Key Equipment
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Pastry blender
- Fork
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3 cups | Flour | All-purpose |
| 1 1/2 cups | Crisco | Chilled, shortening |
| 1 | Egg | Beaten |
| 1 tablespoon | Vinegar | None |
| 7 tablespoons | Water | Cold |
| 1 teaspoon | Salt | None |
Instructions
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together the 3 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt until well combined.
Step 2: Cut in Shortening
- Add the chilled 1 1/2 cups Crisco to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the beaten 1 egg, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 7 tablespoons cold water.
Step 4: Form the Dough
- Pour the wet ingredients over the flour mixture and mix with a fork until the dough just begins to come together into coarse clumps without being overworked.
Step 5: Shape and Chill
- Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a flat disk. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling out.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: This dough can be tightly wrapped and frozen at the disk stage for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling.
Original Recipe Scan
