Double-Crust Pastry

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Yield:
1 double-crust 9-inch pie

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

  • 3 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening or lard

  • 4 to 5 tablespoons ice water

Directions

  1. In a food processor, combine the flour and salt and pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and shortening and process until the mixture is rough textured, with particles the size of peas.

  2. Add 3 tablespoons of the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing briefly after each addition. Add another tablespoon of the water and pulse just until the dough begins to hold together. Add 1 more tablespoon of water if necessary.

  3. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gather it into a ball, handling it as little as possible. Divide the dough in half. Pat the 2 pieces into disks, wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or overnight before rolling out.

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