How To: Make Pie Dough

Follow these simple steps to make perfect pie dough from scratch.

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Basic Ingredients

Homemade pie dough requires just a handful of ingredients — flour, butter (lard or shortening also work), salt, sugar, water — to achieve flaky goodness.

Quick Shortcut

You can make pie dough by hand, it just takes longer. The easiest way is to use a food processor. First, combine the dry ingredients. Then cut the fat into the flour. Make sure it’s cold and cut into small pieces.

Add Water

Add iced water, one tablespoon at a time. You may not need it all depending on the humidity. Pulse until it just comes together, then stop — don’t over-process.

Don't Overwork

If you still see bits of butter, that’s good. They’ll cook into buttery, flaky pockets of flavor.

Wrap It Up

Remove the dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap and fold into a package.

Ready to Roll

The last step before baking: Roll the wrapped dough flat and put it in the fridge for at least an hour, although overnight is best.