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

What is the secret to rolling out pie crust? ›

Lightly dust flour on large, flat surface. Sprinkle top of dough with a few more tablespoons of flour. 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.

How do you keep pie crust from sticking when rolling? ›

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.

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.

Why is my pie crust so hard to roll out? ›

If the dough starts to stick, be sure to sprinkle a bit more flour in the sticky spots or on your rolling pin. If you work slowly, you may find the dough becoming too soft and difficult to roll. You can always place it in the refrigerator to chill for a few minutes. It's okay if your dough is not a perfect circle.

Is pie crust better with butter or crisco? ›

My preferred fat for pie crusts will always be butter. To me, it is all about flavor, and no other fat gives flavor to a crust like butter does. Other fats, even though they have great pros, lack flavor,” De Sa Martins said. “The more flavorful the butter, the more flavor your pie crust will have,” Huntsberger added.

How thick should you roll out pie crust? ›

Whatever you do, make sure the thickness is about 1/8-inch for your pie crusts. Thinner will result in rips and tears. Thicker and it won't cook through and get flaky. Flour your work surface, the dough itself, and your rolling pin throughout the process as needed.

Why is my pie crust breaking when rolling out? ›

Your dough is too cold.

Let the dough sit out at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before rolling, or until a gentle finger prod leaves an indentation in the dough.

What is the best surface for rolling out pie dough? ›

I like to place a couple of sheets of parchment paper on my counter top as my work surface for rolling out the pie dough. However, you could use a silicon mat, wax paper, or work directly on a stone counter top if you have one. Just make sure you have at least a 12 to 14 inch square space to work.

What is the secret to a great pie crust? ›

Start with chilled ingredients

Butter creates a sturdy, crisp pie crust. For this, it is important to keep all ingredients cold which will inhibit the development of gluten in the flour. Use butter right out of the refrigerator and add ice-cold water to make the dough.

What kind of pressure do you apply when rolling out dough? ›

Apply gentle, even pressure as you push the pin away from you, then return it to the center without applying more pressure. Then apply gentle, even pressure as you pull the pin toward you, then return it to the center. Continue until your dough is the desired thickness.

Should pastry be chilled before rolling? ›

After chilling the pastry in the fridge, remove it when it is cold and firm to the touch, not completely hard or it will crack when rolled; it should be just pliable. If it has been chilled for more than 2–3 hours, remove from the fridge and leave at room temperature for 5 minutes before rolling, to soften it slightly.

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