Rolling Out Pie Crust - No Fail Method and Recipe (2024)

Don't be intimidated by making or Rolling Out Pie Crust any longer! This easy tutorial will show just how easy homemade pie crust can be!

Rolling Out Pie Crust - No Fail Method and Recipe (1)

Rolling out Pie Crust

Many people are intimidated by making their own pie crust, but it really doesn't have to be scary. Rolling out pie crust is actually very simple, and in my opinion, no more complicated than rolling out cookie dough!

The biggest misconception is that you have to roll out pie crust into a perfect circle. In reality, it doesn't matter how round it is, as long as it's big enough to fill your pie dish with some over hang.

If you're still having some doubts about rolling out pie crust, here's a step by step tutorial to make rolling out pie crust a breeze.

How To - Rolling Out Pie Crust Tutorial

1. First make a batch of pie crust. If you're looking for a really easy one, trymy flaky, easy No Fail Pie Crust with just 3 ingredients! I've tried multiple pie crust recipes, but that one remains my favorite because it's so easy and always flaky and delicious. Chill your pie crust dough for 15-30 minutes before using to make it easier to work with.

2. Generously flour your work area (which should be a large, flat surface).

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3. Start with the pie crust in a ball on your floured surface. With your hands, flatten the ball and flattening with your hands as much as possible. This will make your rolling pin work easier.

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4. When you've flattened the dough as much as you can with your hands, it's time to break out the rolling pin. Grab a small handful of flour and rub it on your rolling pin, allowing the excess to fall onto your flattened pie crust.

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5. Start rolling out pie crust with the rolling pin. Start in the center of the pie crust, and roll up, then repeat going down. Continue this process until it's long enough to fit into the pie dish with at least a half inch of over hang on both sides. You can check this by simply placing your pie dish on top of the crust and eyeballing it.

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6. When your pie crust is long enough, either give it a half turn and continue with the up and down rolling as in step 5. Or you can leave the pie crust where it's at, and use the same method as in step 5, this time going left, then right. Continue rolling until pie crust has been rolled out to the correct size, checking again by comparing it to the pie dish.

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7. When your pie crust is rolled out and large enough for your pie dish, now you need to transfer into the pie dish. There are 2 methods of doing this that are both really simple.

  • The first method is to just fold the pie crust in half so that it's easier to pick up. Then just pick it, place it in your lightly greased pie pan, and unfold it so that it's laying flat.
  • The second method, and the one that I usually use, is to roll the pie crust onto the rolling pin. Simply lay your rolling pin on the top of the pie crust. Lift the top edge of the pie crust and fold it over the rolling pin. Then roll the pie crust the rest of the way onto the rolling pin, like a taco. To get it into the pie dish, place the exposed edge on the pie dish so that there's at least a half inch of overhang, then unroll the pie crust off the rolling pin so it's flat again, this time in the pie dish.

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8. Gently work the pie crust so that it fits snugly in the pie dish. Run your fingers along the bottom edges to make sure there's no air bubbles, and it's formed snugly against the dish.

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9. Trim the edges using a sharp knife or pair of scissors. Leave about a half inch of pie crust hanging over the edge of the dish.

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10. Take the remaining half-inch of pie crust that's hanging over the dish and fold it under the lip of the dish so that you have a nice clean edge at the top of your pie crust and plenty of crust for fluting.

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11. Flute the edges of the pie crust by making a pinching shape with one hand and pushing it against the outside edge of the pie crust. Using one finger from the other hand, press between your "pinched" fingers. Continue doing this all the way around the crust.

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If baking for a chilled pie, be sure to prick the pie crust with a fork several times before baking. For a baked pie, you're ready for the filling. And if you're making a 2-crust pie, stop after step 9, and add the pie filling. Repeat steps 1-9 for your top pie crust, then continue with steps 10 & 11, folding and fluting both pie crusts at the same time.

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So there you have it! Rolling out pie crust isn't so scary, after all, is it? What intimidates you most about pie crust?

Did you like this tutorial for Rolling Out Pie Crust? Find more on my Desserts and In the Kitchen boards on Pinterest!

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Rolling Out Pie Crust - No Fail Method and Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make pie crust easier to roll out? ›

Refrigerating the pie dough for longer than an hour will cause it to firm up since it is butter based. Let it rest at room temperature for 10-20 minutes or until it is easy to roll out with a rolling pin.

How long should you chill pie dough before rolling out? ›

I always chill my dough for at least 2 hours before rolling out, and then chill again for at least 1 hour after shaping in the pie pan. There are undoubtedly faster methods out there, but this is what I've found to work best for me in terms of maintaining pretty crimps and the overall shape of the crust.

Why can't I roll out my pie crust? ›

The pie dough isn't given enough time to relax and chill

Giving your dough time to rest will allow all the ingredients to chill, help the moisture distribute more evenly throughout the dough, and make it easier to roll out.

What is the secret to a good pie crust? ›

10 Tips for Making Perfect Pie Crust
  • Use Very Cold Butter or Fat. ...
  • Retain Some Chunks. ...
  • Limit the Water. ...
  • Chill the Dough. ...
  • Roll the Dough, Turn the Dough. ...
  • Think Curbs, Not Driveways. ...
  • Let the Dough Fall Into the Pan. ...
  • Chill the Lined Pie Pan.
Oct 20, 2019

What are 2 tips for rolling out pie crust? ›

Using rolling pin, roll out dough “disc” into a circle. Every few rolls, turn dough slightly to ensure it's not sticking to counter or pin, and to get the most even circle possible. Roll until it's about 12 inches across (unless directed otherwise) and about 1/8 of an inch thick.

Why is my pastry so hard to roll out? ›

It also helps to wrap the pastry in clingfilm (plastic wrap) and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. If the pastry has chilled for longer then you may need to let it come back to room temperature before you roll it out, if it is too cold it will crumble and crack as you roll it.

Should you refrigerate pie dough before rolling out? ›

Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, or up to overnight. Tip: Chilling hardens the fat in the dough, which will help the crust maintain its structure as it bakes. And the short rest before rolling relaxes the dough's gluten, helping prevent a tough crust.

What is the best temperature to roll pie dough? ›

The ideal temperature is usually “room temperature”—generally considered to be 68-72°F. Before you roll out the dough, you want the dough disc to feel like a cold stick of butter.

Should pie dough be cold when you roll it out? ›

You can roll pie dough on any surface when your dough is extremely cold, because the cold dough is what really helps to keep it from sticking. Just a light dusting of flour applied many times is better than one big thick coating of flour. Just add flour as needed as too much flour can toughen the dough.

How thick should a pie crust be rolled out to? ›

If the dough starts to warm up and becomes too difficult to handle, place it on a cutting board or baking sheet and chill for 10 to 15 minutes. Then proceed with rolling it out. The dough should be 1/8" thick and 1" wider than the pie plate.

Why add apple cider vinegar to pie crust? ›

The acid in the apple cider vinegar tenderizes the dough by slowing the gluten production in the dough. This prevents it from getting tough and elastic like bread dough. Love me tender. If you've ever bitten into a slice of pie with a tough crust, you know the value in a tender, flaky pie crust.

Is butter or Crisco better for pie crust? ›

Shortening is better at crumbly crust, butter is better at flaky. But you can get either from both. There are obvious differences in flavor, and butter can give you a very nice chewiness in a crust while still being tender. Butter also tends to shrink and lose shape/detail more when it bakes.

Should you chill pastry before rolling? ›

Never roll out freshly made pastry because it will shrink when it's baked. Ideally refrigerate it overnight, or at least for a few hours. Once the tart tin is lined, place it in the freezer for another hour and blind bake from frozen. Don't over-work it or else it may become thick and crumbly.

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