This Small Pie Crust makes a flavorful, flaky pie crust that’s easy to make and bakes up golden brown and beautiful.
Makes a single or double 6 inch pie crust. Click for a 6 inch pie pan.
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How to make a Small Pie Crust
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
Scatter the shortening over the flour mixture and using a fork incorporate the shortening. The mixture will resemble coarse sand.
Add the chilled butter cubes over the course flour mixture. Use a fork to incorporate the butter.
Sprinkle ice water over the dough half a tablespoon at a time. Press the dough together with a fork after each water addition. Stop adding water once the dough has come together.
Then flatten the dough and shape it into a disk (for a double crust divide evenly into two pieces first). Wrap the dough disk tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate them for at least 1 hour.
When you’re ready to use the dough, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit for approximately 10 minutes, so that it softens and is easier to roll out.
To pre-bake a single pie crust
Roll out the crust on a floured surface then place it in a 6-inch pie pan. Click here for a 6 inch pie plan.
Prick the crust (in the pan) all over with a fork and then freeze it for 15 minutes before baking; it rarely puffs at all, and the holes pretty much fill themselves in the baking process so there’s no leakage of filling.
Bake the pie crust in a 425 degrees F. oven until the edges are brown and golden.
Allow 25 – 30 minutes for full baking or 15 – 20 minutes for partial baking.
To bake a filled double pie crust
Adjust an oven rack to the lowest position and place a rimmed baking sheet on the rack. Heat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Prepare the pie filling of your choice.
Roll out the double pie dough on a floured surface then place the bottom half into a 6-inch pan. Click here for a 6 inch pie pan.
Pour the filling into the unbaked bottom crust.
Lay the top crust over the filling, then seal and crimp the edges of the crust using either your fingers or a fork.
Cut 4-5 vent holes in the top of the crust.
Brush the top crust with beaten egg, and then (for fruit-filled or sweet pies) sprinkle a half tablespoon of sugar over the crust.
Carefully place the pie on the hot baking sheet in the oven then reduce the temperature to 425 degrees F. Bake at this temperature until the top crust is golden brown. This should take 20-25 minutes.
Once the top is golden brown, rotate the baking sheet, and turn the temperature down to 375 degrees F. Bake another 30-35 minutes, until the top crust is a deep golden brown.
Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool a bit before serving.
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Small Pie Crust
Equipment
Ingredients
For a Single pie crust:
- ⅓ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 Tablespoon shortening
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter (chilled and cubed)
- 1 ½ Tablespoons ice water
For a Double pie crust:
- ¾ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons shortening
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (chilled and cubed)
- 3 Tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Scatter the shortening over the flour mixture and using a fork incorporate the shortening. The mixture will resemble coarse sand.
- Add the chilled butter cubes over the course flour mixture. Use a fork to incorporate the butter.
- Sprinkle ice water over the dough half a tablespoon at a time. Press the dough together with a fork after each water addition. Stop adding water once the dough has come together.
- Then flatten the dough and shape it into a disk (for a double crust divide evenly into two pieces first). Wrap the dough disk tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate them for at least 1 hour.
- When you’re ready to use the dough, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit for approximately 10 minutes, so that it softens and is easier to roll out.
To pre-bake a single pie crust:
- Roll out the pie crust on a floured surface and place it in a 6 inch pie pan. Click here for a 6 inch pie pan.
- Prick the crust (in the pan) all over with a fork and then freeze it for 15 minutes before baking; it rarely puffs at all, and the holes pretty much fill themselves in the baking process so there’s no leakage of filling.
- Bake the pie crust in a 425 degrees F (220 C) oven until the edges are brown and golden.
- Allow 25 – 30 minutes for full baking or 15 – 20 minutes for partial baking.
To bake a filled double pie crust:
- Adjust an oven rack to the lowest position and place a rimmed baking sheet on the rack. Heat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 C).
- Prepare the pie filling of your choice.
- Roll out the double pie crust on a floured surface then place the bottom crust in a 6 inch pie pan. Click here for a 6 inch pie pan.
- Pour the filling into the unbaked bottom crust.
- Lay the top crust over the filling, then seal and crimp the edges of the crust using either your fingers or a fork.
- Cut 4-5 vent holes in the top of the pie crust.
- Brush the top crust with beaten egg, and then (for fruit filled or sweet pies) sprinkle a half tablespoon of sugar over the crust.
- Carefully place the pie on the hot baking sheet in the oven then reduce the temperature to 425 degrees F (220 C). Bake at this temperature until the top crust is golden brown. This should take 20-25 minutes.
- Once the top is golden brown, rotate the baking sheet, and turn the temperature down to 375 degrees F (190C). Bake another 30-35 minutes, until the top crust is a deep golden brown.
- Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool a bit before serving.
Notes
- Calories are calculated for one double crust 6 inch pie crust.
- Prep Time and Total Time do not include baking times.
Nutrition
Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!
Regina Julie Soh
Monday 6th of September 2021
The double pastry flour is not enough for the 6" apple pie I tried even though the filling the filling wasn't much.
Christine C
Thursday 18th of June 2020
can this be used for a hand pie?
Zona
Friday 19th of June 2020
Hi Christine, I have not tried using this crust for a hand pie but my best guess is that I think it would work fine. Let me know if you try it and how it works out for you. Thanks :)
Georgette Helton
Friday 4th of October 2019
Can you use this for regular pie pan ?
Zona
Friday 4th of October 2019
Hi Georgette, this recipe is meant for a 6 inch pie pan. You might be able to get one single crust for a 9 inch pie pan if you use the double crust ingredient amounts, but I have not tried that, so I'm not sure. Thanks for your question.
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