3-Ingredient Pie Crust Recipe | Easy & Buttery Crust

Imagine the smell of a golden, buttery crust. It’s the perfect base for family recipes and your own creations. Our easy pie crust recipe comes from our Nashville Test Kitchen, just for you. With simple ingredients and a bit of time, you’ll make a homemade pie that beats any bakery.

This 3-ingredient recipe is more than a quick pie crust. It shows how simplicity and tradition can make a homemade pie dough perfect for any time. Whether you’re new to baking or an expert, join us. We’ll share how to make a pie crust that’s both affordable and delicious.

Key Takeaways

• This recipe is cost-effective and easy to follow, beating store-bought crusts in convenience and price.
• With just salted butter, all-purpose flour, and water, you’ll make a flaky pie crust.
• It’s great for both beginners and experienced bakers, ensuring success in every kitchen.
• Our pie crust is perfect for both sweet and savory dishes, making every meal special.
• Made with love from our Nashville Test Kitchen, Monti Carlo’s easy pie crust formula is crafted for your utmost enjoyment.
• An authentic experience guaranteed, as every bite brings you home to a heartwarming kitchen memory.

Why This 3 Ingredient Pie Crust Recipe Works

For anyone new to baking, finding an effortless pie crust recipe is a big deal. Our three-ingredient pie crust recipe is simple yet flavorful. It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers.

People love this recipe because it’s easy to make and always turns out great. You don’t need to be a pro to make it. It’s great for quick baking sessions. With just three ingredients, you get a crust that’s perfect for many types of pies.

• Only requires three common kitchen ingredients, making it easy and quick.
• No complicated baking techniques needed, making it super easy.
• Works for many different dishes, showing it’s both simple and versatile.

This three-ingredient pie crust is great because it’s easy and versatile. It’s perfect for dinner parties or quick meals. Try it out and see how easy baking can be with the right recipe.

The Simple Science Behind the Perfect Pie Crust

Making the perfect pie crust might seem like magic, but it’s based on science. Let’s explore the key factors for a no-fail pie crust every time.

Understanding Gluten’s Role

Getting a simple pastry crust starts with handling gluten right. Gluten is what makes the crust strong. But too much can make it tough.

To control gluten, bakers use a trick. They coat some flour with fat before adding water. This limits how much water flour absorbs. It keeps the dough easy to work with but strong enough for a great crust.

Why Keeping Ingredients Cold is Crucial

To make a no-fail pie crust, keep all ingredients cold. Chilled butter is key because it melts in the oven, not in your bowl.

Cold butter chunks create steam pockets as they melt. This puffs up the dough, making it flaky. Keeping ingredients cold also slows down gluten formation. This gives the crust a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes every bite special.

Gathering Your Ingredients for a No-Fail Pie Crust

To make the perfect easy pie crust recipe or a tasty homemade pie dough, start with the right ingredients. We’ll show you our top three must-haves for a great 3 ingredient pie crust or 3 ingredient tart crust. This simple pastry recipe needs quality butter, the right flour, and ice-cold water.

Choosing the Right Butter

The butter you pick can really make your basic pie crust shine. Salted butter is best because it brings out the crust’s rich flavors. For flaky layers, use frozen butter and grate it into your flour mix.

This method keeps the butter from melting too fast. It’s important for getting that flaky texture everyone loves.

Picking Your Flour

All-purpose flour is the best choice for a perfect pie crust. Sift the flour before measuring it to avoid dryness. Use the spoon-and-level method for accuracy.

Storing the flour in the freezer helps keep it cold. This is key for a flaky crust.

The Importance of Water Temperature

Water temperature is critical for a successful easy pie crust recipe. Always use ice-cold water to mix the flour and butter. This helps the dough come together without the butter getting too soft.

The right amount of water can change based on humidity. Add water slowly and adjust as needed. This ensures your dough is just right, not too wet or sticky.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a 3 Ingredient Pie Crust

Want to make an effortless pie crust? Our guide will help you succeed every time. Making a minimalist pie crust is easy. We’ll guide you through each step, making sure it’s simple and clear.

1. Sift the Flour: Start by sifting flour into a big bowl. This removes lumps and makes the flour light. It’s important for a flaky crust.
2. Grate the Frozen Butter: Grate cold butter into the flour using a box grater. Cold butter is essential for flaky texture.
3. Mix with Ice-Cold Water: Mix the butter and flour gently with your hands. Add ice-cold water slowly. Just enough to stick together without being wet.
4. Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disc and wrap it in plastic. Chill for at least an hour. This relaxes the dough and keeps the butter cold.
5. Roll and Shape: Roll the dough out on a floured surface to fit your pie dish. Place it in the dish, trim, and crimp the edges. Handle it gently for an effortless pie crust.

This simple method makes a flaky and buttery crust. Follow these steps for a reliable minimalist pie crust. It’s perfect for many delicious dishes.

Tips for Rolling and Shaping Your Dough Like a Pro

Making perfect homemade pie dough is all about mastering a few key techniques. These tips will help you make a delicious and beautiful basic pie crust. Whether you’re using an easy pie crust recipe or a quick one, these tips will improve your baking skills.

Rolling Out Your Dough Evenly

Start by rolling your dough from the center outwards, changing directions often. Turning the dough a quarter turn helps keep it even and smooth. This way, your dough will be evenly thick, just like the softness of an earlobe.

This method works great for both sweet and savory pies. It lets you adjust the dough for any recipe that needs homemade pie dough.

Preventing Dough from Sticking

It’s frustrating when dough sticks to your work surface or rolling pin. To avoid this, lightly flour both before you start. If the dough cracks, don’t worry. Our easy pie crust recipe is forgiving, and you can pinch it back together gently.

Rolling the dough between two sheets of parchment paper also helps prevent sticking. This makes it easy to transfer the dough to your pie dish.

Achieving the Perfect Crust Thickness

The thickness of your pie crust is very important. It should be thick enough not to tear during baking, but not so thick that it’s undercooked. Aim to roll the dough a couple of inches beyond your pie dish.

This thickness is perfect for trimming and crimping. It also ensures you have enough crust to seal well with the filling. This way, you’ll get a perfect basic pie crust every time.

Follow these expert tips to master the art of making a basic pie crust. Your homemade pie dough will be both tasty and beautiful.

Versatile Uses for Your Homemade Pie Crust

Our three-ingredient pie crust is easy to make and super versatile. It’s perfect for both sweet desserts and hearty savory meals. This simple pastry crust meets all your culinary needs.

Sweet Pies

The 3 ingredient pie crust is great for sweet pies. Think about a classic apple pie with a flaky crust that’s golden and ready to crumble. Or a decadent pecan pie with a sticky filling on a sturdy crust.

For those who like to try new things, a blueberry lemon cream cheese galette in our 3 ingredient tart crust is a rustic yet exquisite choice. This crust makes every pie bite unforgettable.

Savory Pies

For savory pies, our three-ingredient pie crust shines. Imagine a turkey pot pie with a crust that matches the rich filling perfectly. Or hand pies filled with sausage and cheese, where the crust’s flakiness boosts the flavors.

This crust is key for both structure and flavor in savory pies.

Creating Decorative Crusts

The 3 ingredient pie crust is also great for looks. Its dough is easy to shape and keeps its form while baking. Creative bakers can make fancy crusts like lattice tops or leaf designs.

Our easy pie crust lets you add artistry to your pies. It turns a simple pie into a stunning dish that looks and tastes amazing.

Storing and Freezing Instructions for Your Pie Dough

Keeping your basic pie crust fresh is key. At our bakery, we’ve perfected ways to keep your no-fail pie crust ready to go. This way, you can bake whenever you want.

Refrigeration Guidelines

For immediate use, refrigeration is a must. Wrap your dough tightly in plastic wrap or beeswax. This keeps it moist and prevents drying out. Store it in the coldest part of your fridge. It stays fresh for up to three days.

Freezing for Long-Term Use

Freezing your pie dough is great for planning ahead. Our dough freezes well for up to three months. It tastes and feels the same when thawed. Here’s how we freeze it:

This method means you’re always ready to bake. Remember, the secret to a great no-fail pie crust is in how you store it, not just how you make it!

Conclusion

Home baking can feel overwhelming with complex recipes and the need for perfection. But, we’ve shown you how to make a delicious, flaky pie crust easily. Our simple pie crust recipe gives you the skills and confidence to make homemade pastries.

This 3-ingredient pie crust recipe is easy and great for both new and experienced bakers. We’ve guided you from understanding the science behind a perfect crust to mastering rolling and shaping. This recipe is versatile and perfect for sweet and savory pies.

By following our tips on storage and freezing, you’re always ready for unexpected guests or a quick dessert. Our goal is for you to feel confident making your own pie crust instead of buying one. Whether it’s a traditional apple pie or a fancy lattice-topped pie, the crust is key. Bake with confidence, enjoy every bite, and share your homemade treats with others.

3 Ingredient Pie Crust

This buttery, flaky 3-ingredient pie crust is the ultimate foolproof recipe for sweet or savory pies. No fancy tools, no chill time — just simple ingredients and unbeatable flavor in minutes. Perfect for beginners and pros alike!

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsalted butter (chilled and cubed)
• 4 –6 tablespoons ice water

1. Mix the flour and butter: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and chilled butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Add ice water: Gradually add 1 tablespoon of ice water at a time, mixing just until the dough holds together when pressed. You may not need all the water.
3. Form and roll: Shape the dough into a ball, then flatten into a disc. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to fit your pie pan. No chilling required unless desired.

• For a sweeter crust, add 1 tablespoon of sugar.

• For extra flakiness, chill the dough for 15–30 minutes before rolling.

• This recipe yields one 9-inch pie crust. Double for a top and bottom crust.

Baking, Pastry

American, Classic

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