All Butter Pie Crust

(servings: enough for a 9″ double crust, Active Time: 1/2 hr)

Recipe adapted from The Shiksa in the Kitchen 

__________________________________________________________________

Ingredients:

3 c all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 c (2 sticks) very cold unsalted butter (try for Land O Lakes)

4 ice cubes in 1/2 c cold water

_________________________________________________________________

Gadgets:

Fork, Dough Cutter, Plastic Wrap, large mixing bowl, Rolling Pin, Refrigerator, Freezer

__________________________________________________________________

 Directions:

1. Chill Fork and Dough Cutter in Freezer, and large bowl and bowl of iced water in Refrigerator while pulling ingredients.

2. Add flour and salt in large bowl and blend thoroughly

3. Add very cold butter to large bowl and cut into dry ingredients using dough cutter. Push down firmly with a lot of pressure. Do this repeatedly until butter is cut into small pea size pieces. Once it has a large grainy consistency put bowl in freezer for two minutes.

NOTE: butter chunks ensure a flakier dough and constant cold keeps the butter from melting.

4. Remove bowl from freezer and iced water from refrigerator. Add iced water to dough mixture one tbsp at a time and toss around with your cold fork until well incorporated. Try not to touch the dough as you want to keep it COLD.

5. Keep adding tablespoons of water with fork until dough looks stringy and holds larger clumps. To test when the dough is wet enough, put a clump in your palm and squeeze. If it is slightly wet and tacky, and can hold together once squeezed, your dough is ready for the next step! If the dough falls apart in your palm or easily crumbles add a little more water and test again.

6. When the dough is ready, pull it together lightly in your hands into two balls (one larger than the other). Form the balls into flat disks that are about 7-8 inches across.

7. Wrap dough disks in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1- 48 hours. The dough can also be frozen for up to 3 months, but make sure to thaw it out before using.

Note: I cannot stress ENOUGH how important it is to keep the dough cold! Even if you REALLY have to go to the bathroom, put everything in the refrigerator before you leave!

Good Luck! And remember: Don’t be scared, it’s just a pie crust. 🙂