Homemade Shortening Pie Crust

Homemade Shortening Pie Crust is the classic pie crust you’re looking for! This delicate, flaky pie pastry is the perfect base for your homemade pies.

DIY Pie Crust

I am not even about to turn my nose up at a pre-made, refrigerated pie crust that you just unroll into your pie plate. Not even mad at it. We do what we gotta do! However, a homemade pie crust is so cheap to make, it is worth the little bit of extra effort when you have the time.

Making pie crust may seem intimidating, but it’s actually pretty easy! A Homemade Shortening Pie Crust can be made in just minutes. I’ll show you how!

Homemade Shortening Pie Crust

My recipe for Homemade Shortening Pie Crust makes enough for one pie with a top and bottom crust or two pies with a bottom crust only. When I made the recipe and snapped these pictures, I had doubled the recipe to make four pies, which is why you’ll see four dough balls in the picture below.

Step one of making Homemade Shortening Pie Crust is to combine flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Next, you’ll cut in the shortening until it looks like small peas. This is easiest to do with a pastry cutter (affiliate link), but you can also use a fork or two butter knives.

The next step is to add cold water. I recommend starting with 1/4 cup and then adding an additional 1-2 tablespoons if needed. Stir the water in until the dough forms a ball. Cut the dough into two equal portions and form each into a ball.

You will want to refrigerate your pie dough balls for 45 minutes to ensure a flaky final product, so factor the refrigeration time into your process.

After the dough balls have chilled, you will roll them out on a clean, floured surface then place them in 9-inch pie plates.

Simple Pie Crust Fluting Technique

There are a few very simple ways to flute the edges of the pie crust. One is to trim the edges of the pie crust, then use a fork to add a decorative touch:

My favorite fluting technique is to fold any excess crust under to create a clean edge. Then I use my fingers as shown below to make a pretty, classic fluted pie crust edge:

I love how this edge looks for my pecan pie!

Another option is to use extra pie crust dough to cut out small shapes, such as leaves or little pumpkins. These can then be placed around the edge of the pie crust for a fun and festive decorative touch.

Homemade Shortening Pie Crust

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★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

• Author: Carissa Shaw for Mom Needs Chocolate
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 1 double or 2 single pie crusts 1x

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Description

Homemade Shortening Pie Crust is the classic pie crust you’re looking for! This delicate, flaky pie pastry is the perfect base for your homemade pies.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling surface
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold water

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Instructions

1. In medium bowl, combine the 2 cups of flour with the salt.
2. Use a pastry blender, fork, or two butter knives to cut the shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles small peas.
3. Add 1/4 cup of cold water and stir with a fork until the pastry comes together into a soft ball. Add 1-2 additional tablespoons of cold water if necessary.
4. Divide the dough in half and shape into two balls. Cover each dough ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 45 minutes. Note: if you are short on time, you can skip the refrigeration. Refrigerating the dough will produce a flakier finished product, but your pie crust will turn out just fine if you do not have time for the refrigeration step.
5. Sprinkle flour on a clean counter. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the pie crust balls out (one at a time) on the floured surface. Roll the dough out to be a bit larger than a 9-inch pie plate.
6. Fold the pie crust dough into fourths; place in a pie plate. Gently unfold the dough, pressing firmly against bottom and side. Create the decorative flute around the edges as desired.
7. Fill the pie crust with your pie filling and bake according to your pie recipe instructions.

• Prep Time: 00:20

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There’s More Pie Fun!

Looking for some wonderful pie recipes that you need to know for this holiday season? Here are my favorites that are right here on Mom Needs Chocolate:

• Classic Dutch Apple Pie
• Classic Pumpkin Pie
• Classic Pecan Pie

Also, be sure to let me know how this Homemade Shortening Pie Crust works out for you! Leave me a comment below or click here to see this pin on Pinterest and leave a picture and comment there.