Well now, I reckon it’s time we talk ’bout making a good ol’ pie crust. If y’all been tryin’ to get that perfect flaky crust like them fancy cooks do, then you’re in the right spot. I’m gonna tell ya how Paula Deen makes her pie crust—simple, easy, and sure to make your mouth water. Ain’t no reason to be scared of makin’ your own pie crust. It ain’t hard at all, just gotta follow a few steps and you’ll have somethin’ that’s better than store-bought every time!
Now, the first thing ya need is a few ingredients. Paula Deen keeps it simple—flour, salt, butter, and ice water. That’s it, folks! You don’t need no fancy stuff. Just grab what you got in your kitchen, and we’ll get started.
- Flour – You want some good all-purpose flour. Don’t go messin’ around with that fancy stuff; just good ol’ plain flour will do the trick.
- Salt – A little pinch, just to give it some flavor. You don’t need much, just enough to make that dough taste good.
- Butter – Now, butter’s the secret to makin’ a good flaky crust. Paula says you can even mix some lard with the butter to get extra flakiness, but butter alone will still do the job just fine.
- Ice Water – Ice water’s what helps bring everything together. Make sure it’s cold, y’all, so that dough don’t get tough.
Alright, now that we got our ingredients, let’s get to work. First off, take your flour and salt, and mix ’em up in a big ol’ bowl. You don’t need a fancy mixer for this; just use your hands if you want. After that, cut up your cold butter into little pieces and toss ’em in with the flour. Use a pastry cutter or just your fingers to rub that butter into the flour until it looks kinda like coarse crumbs. Ain’t no rush here, just take your time.
Once that butter’s mixed in real good, it’s time for the ice water. Start by adding just a little bit at a time. You don’t want to dump it all in at once. Mix it with a fork, and if it looks like it’s comin’ together into a dough, that’s your cue. If it’s too dry, add a bit more water. But don’t go overboard, or you’ll end up with a sticky mess. We’re lookin’ for dough that holds together but don’t stick to your hands.
Once you got your dough all nice and together, turn it out onto a floured surface. Pat it out into a disk shape, wrap it up in plastic, and stick it in the fridge for at least an hour. Don’t rush this part, folks. It needs time to chill out and firm up.
After your dough’s been chillin’ for a bit, it’s time to roll it out. Sprinkle a little flour on your counter or on a pastry mat, and roll that dough out into a circle. Now, don’t get too fussy about it bein’ perfect; just roll it out big enough to fit your pie dish. You can use a rolling pin, or just press it out with your hands if that’s easier for ya.
Once it’s rolled out, carefully lift that dough and lay it in your pie pan. Press it down gently into the edges and trim off any excess dough, leavin’ about an inch around the edge. You can either fold the edges over for a rustic look or crimp ’em with a fork if you want it to look a bit fancier.
Before you go puttin’ the filling in, it’s a good idea to chill the crust again for a few minutes. This helps keep it from shrinkin’ when you bake it. Then, just fill it up with whatever pie filling you’re makin’—apple, pecan, whatever strikes your fancy—and bake it according to your recipe.
Now, I know some folks like to decorate the edges of their pie crusts, and you can do that however you like. Some people use a fork to press around the edge, others might flute it with their fingers. You can even make little leaves or shapes if you’re feelin’ real fancy, but that’s entirely up to you.
So, there ya have it! Paula Deen’s pie crust recipe in all its glory. It’s simple, it’s tasty, and it’s sure to be a hit at any meal. Don’t be shy about makin’ your own crust. Once you get the hang of it, it’s easier than you think—and the taste? Well, it can’t be beat! So get bakin’, and enjoy your homemade pie!
Tags: [Paula Deen Pie Crust Recipe, Homemade Pie Crust, Easy Pie Crust, Flaky Pie Crust, Simple Pie Recipe]