Well now, if you’re wantin’ to make a pie crust like Paula Deen, let me tell ya, it ain’t too hard! Ya just gotta follow a few simple steps, and you’ll have yourself a crust so flaky and buttery, folks’ll be askin’ for seconds. Don’t be scared of makin’ a pie crust from scratch, ’cause with Paula’s recipe, you ain’t got to be a pro to get it right.
First thing, let’s talk about the ingredients. You’ll need about 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Make sure it’s the plain kind, not that self-risin’ stuff, or it’ll mess things up. You also need about a teaspoon of fine salt, and don’t forget 3 tablespoons of sugar to give it a little sweet taste. Oh, and don’t be shy with the vegetable shortening — a good half cup will do the trick. If you want a butterier taste, you can use a little more butter, but shortening is what makes the crust nice and flaky.
Now, you might be wonderin’ what makes Paula’s recipe stand out from others. Well, I’ll tell ya, the trick is in the mixin’. Most folks use cold butter and water, but Paula’s way is different. You mix the shortening with the sugar first, get it all nice and combined. Then, you add your flour and salt, and mix it all together until it starts lookin’ like crumbs. Once that’s done, it’s time to bring in the cold water, but just a little at a time. Don’t go pourin’ it all in at once! You just want enough to get the dough to come together.
Now, I know some of ya might be worried about the dough bein’ too tough, but don’t fret. The key here is to not overwork the dough. You want it just barely mixed. If you handle it too much, it’ll get all tough and you don’t want that. Once it’s come together into a ball, wrap it up in some plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This’ll let the dough rest and be easier to roll out later on.
Once it’s been in the fridge long enough, take it out and let it warm up just a bit. Then, flour your countertop or board, and roll out that dough nice and even. Now, if you want a perfect 9-inch pie, make sure you roll it out big enough to cover the bottom and sides of the pan. Don’t be afraid to stretch it a little if it’s too small. Just be careful not to tear it! If it rips, just pinch it back together with your fingers. That’s the beauty of makin’ things from scratch—ain’t no perfection needed!
After you’ve got it in the pan, trim the edges with a knife, and fold them over to make a nice little crust around the edge. You can crimp it with your fingers or use a fork if you’re feelin’ fancy. Once that’s done, pop it in the fridge again while you get your pie filling ready. That’ll keep the crust from shrinking when you bake it.
When it comes time to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F, and blind bake the crust for about 10-15 minutes if you’re usin’ it for a custard-type pie, or until it’s golden brown if you’re usin’ it for a fruit pie. For fruit pies, you might need to bake it a little longer to get everything bubbly and delicious inside, but keep an eye on the crust so it don’t burn!
Now, I know some of ya might be thinkin’, “Well, that sounds easy enough, but is it really gonna taste as good as I hope?” And the answer is yes! It’s gonna taste just like you’ve been bakin’ pies for years, even if it’s your first time. The sugar in the dough gives it a nice little sweetness, and that shortening? Well, it makes the crust so light and flaky, it’ll practically melt in your mouth. And the best part? You ain’t gotta be a fancy baker to get it right!
So, whether you’re makin’ a pecan pie for the holidays or just a good ol’ apple pie for a Sunday afternoon, Paula’s pie crust recipe will have your family comin’ back for more. And remember, don’t overthink it! Just follow the steps, and you’ll have a pie crust worth braggin’ about!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 3 tablespoons granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- Cold water (just enough to bring the dough together)
Now get bakin’, and enjoy that homemade pie! You deserve it!
Tags：[Paula Deen Pie Crust, Pie Crust Recipe, Flaky Pie Crust, Easy Pie Crust, Homemade Pie Crust, Baking Pie Crust, Pecan Pie Crust, Apple Pie Crust, Paula Deen Recipe]