Name: Firm Crust American Pie Dough
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour , plus extra for dusting dough; 1/2 teaspoon table salt; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , chilled, cut into 1/4-inch pieces; 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening , chilled; 3–4 tablespoons ice water

Why This Recipe Works

After extensive testing, the path to a great pie dough recipe was clear: Use a high proportion of fat for good texture, including both butter and vegetable shortening for the optimal mix of flavor (from the butter) and flakiness (from the shortening). Because our pie dough recipe had such a high proportion of butter to flour that it didn't hold an edge well, we developed a firm crust variation.

Before You Begin

This crust has less flavor and a firmer texture than the related American Pie Dough recipe, but decorating edging will hold up nicely in the oven.

Instructions

Mix flour, salt, and sugar in food processor fitted with steel blade. Scatter butter pieces over flour mixture, tossing to coat butter with a little of the flour. Cut butter into flour with five 1-second pulses. Add shortening and continue cutting in until flour is pale yellow and resembles coarse cornmeal, with butter bits no larger than small peas, about four more 1-second pulses. Turn mixture into medium bowl.

Sprinkle 3 tablespoons ice water over mixture. With blade of rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix. Press down on dough with broad side of spatula until dough sticks together, adding up to 1 tablespoon more ice water if it will not come together. Shape into ball with hands, then flatten into 4-inch-wide disk. Dust lightly with flour, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before rolling.