Make-Ahead Pie Crust
This homemade pie crust mix is delicious and versatile; you can use it for sweet and savory pies.
EASY
INGREDIENTS | MAKES 6 PIE CRUSTS
- 5 cups flour
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup solid vegetable shortening
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup coconut oil
In large bowl, combine flour, pastry flour, salt, and sugar and mix with wire whisk.
In food processor, combine shortening, butter, and coconut oil; mix until combined, scraping down sides twice. Cut into flour mixture until crumbs form; store covered in refrigerator.
To make a pie crust, scoop out 1 ¼ cups of the mix and place in medium bowl. Add 1 teaspoon orange juice and 1–2 tablespoons cold water; toss with a fork until mixture holds together.
Roll out between sheets of waxed paper to 11-inch circle. Place in pie plate, fold edges over and flute.
If baking before filling, prick with fork and bake at 400°F for 8–10 minutes until browned. If filling before baking, do not prick and use as directed in recipe.
Make It Healthy
You can now find solid shortening that is trans fat free; use that in this recipe. The coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so is easy to cut in along with the other ingredients. And coconut oil is good for you; it has medium-chain fatty acids that are easily metabolized, along with anti-fungal properties.
