Best Pie Pastry Recipes

CLASSIC BUTTER PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Combine flour and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed., Shape dough into a disk for a single-crust pie; for a double-crust pie, divide dough in 2 with 1 piece slightly larger than the other. Shape into 2 disks. Wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight., On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 disk of dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. , For a single-crust pie: Trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Fill or bake according to recipe directions., For a double-crust pie: Add filling to pie. Roll remaining dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle. Place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edge. Cut slits in top. Bake according to recipe directions.

NEVER, NEVER FAIL PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in lard until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together water, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Stir into flour mixture and knead dough briefly, just until smooth. Allow to rest 15 minutes before rolling out. Pastry is easier to work with when chilled. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

CLASSIC LARD TWO-CRUST PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Whisk flour and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in the lard with a knife or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, blending gently with a fork or pastry blender until all flour is moistened and dough almost cleans the sides of the bowl. Divide the dough in half and shape flattened rounds. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

PUFF PASTRY CHICKEN POT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Roll out 1 sheet of puff pastry into an 11-inch square. Press into a 9-inch pie dish, cut off extra pastry, and prick thoroughly with a fork. Press a sheet of aluminum foil right onto pastry.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pastry is puffed up and golden browned, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven, remove foil, and set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt better in a skillet over medium-low heat and cook onions and celery until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Cook and stir until mixture is paste-like.
• Slowly add milk to the skillet while stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Continue stirring and slowly add broth a little at a time. Cook until thickened, 7 to 10 minutes, constantly stirring. Add chicken and frozen vegetables. Cook until vegetables are thawed, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Pour chicken mixture into pre-baked puff pastry shell. Roll out a second sheet of pastry into an 11-inch square and place on top of chicken mixture. Cut off extra pastry and crimp edges.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pastry is lightly browned, 45 to 50 minutes.

PASTRY FOR DOUBLE PIE-CRUST

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half so one ball is slightly larger than the other., Roll out the larger ball to fit a 9-in. or 10-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate. Trim pastry with even with edge of plate. Pour desired filling into crust. , Roll out second ball; cut slits in pastry. Position over filling. Trim pastry to 1 in. beyond edge of pie plate. Fold top crust over bottom crust. Flute edges. Bake according to recipe directions.

PASTRY FOR SINGLE-CRUST PIE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Roll out pastry to fit a 9-in. or 10-in. pie plate. , Transfer crust to pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond rim of pie plate; flute edge. Fill or bake crust according to recipe directions.

PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Rub the lard and butter into the flour with a generous pinch of sea salt until completely combined. Add the beaten egg and 100ml ice-cold water and mix until you have a soft dough. Transfer to the fridge and chill for at least 1 hr, or until needed.
• Divide the pastry into 12 equal pieces and roll out into rounds on a lightly floured surface. Use six of the rounds to line the bottoms of six individual pie dishes, leaving an overhang. Fill the pies with the mixture of your choice, brush the rims with some of the egg yolk, top with the remaining pastry rounds, then trim and crimp the edges. Decorate with the trimmings, if you like. Glaze with more egg yolk, or as indicated in the filling recipe, and chill until you're ready to cook.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 6 with a baking tray inside. Put the pies on the hot tray and bake for 30-35 mins until golden. Leave to rest as directed, then serve in the dishes or turn out onto plates.

SPINACH PIE IN PUFF PASTRY (SPANAKOPITA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment (preferable) but you can use aluminum foil with a light spray of cooking oil.
• Melt butter and cook onions for a few minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
• Beat eggs in medium bowl. Add cooked onion, spinach, feta, parmesan, bread crumbs. Add salt, pepper, & nutmeg. Mix well with fork.
• Place one unfolded sheet of puff pastry on the parchment or sprayed aluminum foil. Spread the spinach mixture over the pastry, leaving a border of one inch all around the edges. Keep the spinach flat; do not pile high.
• Brush the edges with the egg wash made with the last egg. Cover with the second sheet of pastry that has been slightly flattened with a rolling pin to one inch bigger than the first sheet. (This ensures all the spinach will be covered). Press edges together with fingertips or fork, making sure mixture is sealed well. Brush just the top with egg wash, careful not to drip any down the sides. Cut a few slits in the top with a sharp knife to allow steam to escape.
• Bake 30-40 minutes, until golden brown. Can be served hot or at room temperature.

INDIVIDUAL CHICKEN POT PIE WITH PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
• For the filling: Place 1 tablespoon vegetable oil into a 10-inch cast-iron skillet and set over high heat until it shimmers. Add the chicken, season with 1 teaspoon of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside but not dry, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside in a medium bowl.
• Decrease the heat to medium and heat the remaining tablespoon vegetable oil in the skillet until it shimmers. Add the onions, mushrooms, carrots, celery, garlic, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried tarragon, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened, about 5 minutes. Add the butter and melt. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually stir in the chicken broth and milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring continually. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the peas, thyme, tarragon, and reserved chicken. Cover and set aside.
• For the crust: Combine the bread flour, whole wheat flour, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Place in the freezer for 1 hour.
• Place the flour mixture and butter in a mound on a clean work surface. Use a bench scraper to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture is crumbly and the butter pieces are about the size of almonds. Add the ice water, 2 tablespoons at a time, and mix into the dough, using the bench scraper, until it just barely comes together. Do not add too much water, it will come together.
• Shape into a rectangle and pound with a rolling pin until it is about the size of a sheet of notebook paper, approximately 8 1/2 by 11 inches.
• Use the bench scraper to fold the dough into thirds, like a letter. Pound with the rolling pin until the piece of dough is again the size of a sheet of notebook paper and rotate 90 degrees. Repeat the pounding, folding, and rotating 2 more times for a total of 4 turns of the dough.
• Pound with rolling pin and fold the shorter sides of the rectangle in towards the center, from top to bottom, and then fold in half, like a book. Wrap in parchment paper and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• For the egg wash: Combine the beaten egg and water in a small dish and set aside.
• To build the pie: Divide the warm filling into 4 (16-ounce) ramekins and place on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
• Remove the puff pastry from the refrigerator. Divide in half. Return one half to the refrigerator. Sprinkle lightly with flour and roll to 1/4-inch thick and, using your ramekins as a guide, cut 2 circles that are 1/2 inch wider than the rim, using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Repeat with the other half of the dough. Refrigerate excess dough for another use.
• Brush each dough round with egg wash and place egg washed-side down onto the top of each filled ramekin. Brush the top of the pastry with egg wash. Bake for 15 minutes. Decrease the heat to 400 degrees F and bake until the crust is puffed and golden brown and the filling is bubbly, another 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes before serving.

BRITISH SHORTCRUST PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Combine flour, butter, and shortening using a food processor until crumbly. Mix in water 1 tablespoon at at time until dough is soft and pliable.
• Wrap dough in plastic wrap; let rest in a refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using.

FRIED PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Combine egg and water, and sprinkle lightly over flour mixture. Add vinegar, and lightly stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball.
• Wrap dough in wax paper. Chill for at least one hour. Use as directed in any fried pie recipe.

PUFF PASTRY PEACH PIE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 400 deg. Combine peaches,sugar,cinnamon,nutmeg and butter in a sauce pan,stirring occasionally,cook until sugar is melted and mixture is slightly thickened. Cool to rm. temp. Beat egg and water in a small bowl. Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a baking sheet.Spread the pie filling on the pastry to within 1 inch of the edge. Brush the edges with the egg mixture. Unfold the remaining pastry sheet and place over the filling. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Brush with the egg mixture. Cut several slits in the top of the pastry.Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Cool the pastry on the baking sheet on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar,if desired.

PASTRY FOR EXTRA-LARGE DOUBLE-CRUST PIE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half so that one ball is slightly larger than the other. Roll out larger ball to fit an 11-1/2-in. to 12-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate; trim even with edge of plate. , Pour desired filling into crust. Roll out second ball; cut slits in pastry. Position over filling. Trim pastry to 1 in. beyond edge of pie plate. Fold top crust over bottom crust. Flute edges. Bake according to recipe directions.

FRENCH PASTRY PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Mix well, then cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• In a small bowl, combine egg, vinegar, and 4 tablespoons of water. Whisk together, then add gradually to flour mixture, stirring with a fork. Mix until dough forms a ball. Add one more tablespoon of water if necessary.
• Allow dough to rest in refrigerator 10 minutes before rolling out.

KREATOPITA (GREEK MEAT PIE USING PHYLLO PASTRY)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, coat bottom of pan with olive oil and add ground beef (and mushrooms, if using). Cook, breaking up meat with back of spoon, and stirring often until meat and mushrooms are browned and liquid emitted has evaporated (make sure all the liquid has evaporated - you don't want a soggy pita!).
• Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, oregano and cinnamon and cook until liquid emitted from onions has evaporated, too.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 20 minutes, stirring a couple of times to bring hot filling up (to cool faster).
• Add cheese, parsley and eggs to meat filling and combine thoroughly to blend. Taste filling and adjust seasoning to suit your taste.
• In a 15 x 10 inch pan (or large pan), layer half the phyllo sheets, brushing each one generously with olive oil (use a pastry brush), before adding the next sheet of pastry.
• Pour the meat filling into the phyllo-lined pan.
• Layer the remaining phyllo sheets in the same way, over the filling, brushing each one generously with olive oil before adding the next sheet of pastry. When you reach the last sheet (the top one), brush this one slightly more generously than the rest, tuck in any overhang you have neatly into the pie and score pie, lengthwise, into 4, using the tip of a small, sharp knife and making sure you don't cut all the way through the bottom of the pastry (just the top crust and slightly into the filling).
• Position baking rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 190°C (375°F).
• Bring your pan next to the sink and run the cold water tap. Wet the tips of your fingers and shake the water onto the pastry. Do this a few times to ensure droplets of water fall all over the pastry (this ensures a crisp crust upon baking).
• Bake pie for approximately one hour, until you achieve a deep golden crust. If you have a flat-bottomed oven (no element), do put your pan on the floor of the oven for the last 20 minutes or so to ensure an even crisper bottom crust.
• The pita is best slightly warm or at room temperature.
• Enjoy!

CHICKEN POT PIE WITH RICH PASTRY CRUST

Steps:

• Stew chicken. Debone chicken to get 4 cups cooked chicken (use rest for another chicken dish); get 2 cups broth (use rest of broth for another chicken dish).
• Heat chicken fat or butter in skillet.
• Saute onion, carrot, celery, and potato for 5 minutes until tender crisp; add peas.
• Stir in flour until blended.
• Stir in chicken broth and 1/2 and 1/2 cream.
• Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine with chicken and pour mixture in 2 quart baking dish.
• Roll out pastry to 1/4 inch thickness and 1 inch bigger than dish.
• Cover chicken mixture; fold excess pastry under and crimp edge.
• With a sharp knife cut a small diamond in middle of top crust.
• Brush generously with egg yolk and milk topping mixture.
• Bake in preheated 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes.
• PASTRY:.
• For pastry,combine flour and salt; cut in lard.
• Mix egg, ice water, and vinegar.
• Gradually stir into flour. Mix.
• Roll out.
• This dish freezes and reheats well.

PUFF PASTRY CHICKEN POT PIE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400 and lightly grease 2 quart square baking dish. Sit aside.
• In medium sized mixing bowl add small bite size pieces of chicken breasts, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, rosemary, Paul Prudhomme Poultry Magic seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper and extra virgin olive oil. Stir until all pieces are covered in oil and seasonings. Heat remaining oil in skillet on medium - medium high heat. Add chicken and brown until light golden brown about 5 minutes (remember chicken will also be baked for at least 25 minutes). Cover a plate with a paper towel and using a slotted spoon put chicken on paper towel to drain oil. Make sure to cover with another paper towel so chicken won't dry out.
• On a lightly floured surface roll out the first sheet of puff pastry to 12 inch square. If the pastry cracks use a dab of water on your finger tip and lightly push to reseal. Take the pastry and lay in the casserole dish. Position until all sides are even. Be careful not to tear but you don't need to handle with kid gloves either. It's always easy to reseal any tear. Trim any excess that hangs over the edges of the casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes or until all darker, doughy areas are lighter and puffed. While the puff pastry is baking you can multi-task by making the vegetables and sauce.
• In a skillet melt butter on medium-medium high heat. Add vegetables and cook until tender crisp. About 5-7 minutes. Don't over cook because vegetables will be cooking while you make the sauce and also baking in the oven later. You don't want them to turn to mush. Add flour and stir cooking until flour turns golden brown approximately 3 minutes. Slowly add chicken broth, ground dry mustard, remaining salt, remaining fresh ground pepper, remaining garlic powder, remaining onion powder, 1 teaspoon parsley flakes, peas and corn starch (no need to make a slurry). Reduce to simmer and stir constantly until sauce thickens. If it's too thick add a little extra chicken broth. Sit aside and wait until bottom shell is finished baking.
• Re-flour your surface and place 2nd puff pastry sheet. Using a pizza cutter cut into 1/4 inch strips.
• Once bottom shell is finished baking add chicken and sauce mixture. Place puff pastry strips on top using a weave design (or whatever design you feel like making. I haven't mastered the weave yet but I'm working on it). Trim any excess puff pastry. Sprinkle with remaining parsley flakes. Place casserole on foil lined baking sheet and place in oven. Cook for 25 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and puff pastry is golden brown.

EASY NO-ROLL PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt; stir in oil and milk. Set aside 1/3 cup for topping. Press remaining mixture onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-in. pie plate. Add filling. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture., Bake at 375° for 60-70 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.

KITCHENAID PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Sift flour and salt into bowl.
• Cut shortening and butter into 4 to 5 pieces and drop into bowl.
• Attach bowl and flat beater.
• Turn to Stir Speed and cut shortening into flour until particles are size of small peas, about 30 seconds.
• Add water, a tablespoon at a time, until all particles are moistened.
• Use only enough water to make pastry form a ball.
• Watch dough closely as over mixing will result in a tough crust.
• Chill in refrigerator 15 minutes.
• Roll to 1/8-inch thickness between pieces of waxed paper.
• Fold pastry into quarters; ease into pie plate and unfold, pressing firmly against bottom and side.
• Trim and crimp edges.
• Fill and bake as desired.
• For Baked Pastry Shell: Prick sides and bottom with fork.
• Bake at 450F for 8 to 10 minutes until light brown.
• Cool completely before filling.
• HINT: I also chill the wax paper and rolling pin.

KITTENCAL'S NO-FAIL BUTTERY FLAKY PIE PASTRY/CRUST

Steps:

• Mix both flours, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
• With a pastry cutter cut in the very cold butter and lard until the consistency of tiny peas.
• In a small bowl whisk the egg yolk, vinegar and water.
• Stir the egg/water mixture into the flour mixture until moistened and dough holds together (usually it takes the full amount of water/egg mixture).
• Gather into a ball then divide into two.
• Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 30 minutes (or the dough may be frozen after the 30 minutes chilling time, just wrap firstly in plastic wrap and then tightly in foil, leave in fridge overnight to defrost).
• PROCESSOR METHOD: whirl the flour, sugar and salt for a couple of seconds.
• In a small bowl mix the egg, vinegar and water together; set aside.
• Add in the partially frozen butter cubes and lard to the flour mixture; pulse until well mixed, then add in the water/egg mixture.
• Process/pulse JUST until the dough holds together (do not over process, or your dough will be tough!).