Perfect Pie Crust
My greatest memories are of pie baking. My great grandmother was a great pie baker. Everyday we would walk down to her house and she would make us tarts. Pie dough topped with jam and baked to perfection. I loved them, and today I love the memories of tarts and family.
My grand mother was also a great pie baker. She made lovely pies back when it was an art. When cafe’s still had pie bakers that baked perfect pies, my grandmother was one of those amazing pie artists. Her pies were a work of art and love. Today the art seems to be lost, at least outside of the home. Big name brand stores have made it easy to just pick up a pie and take it home. Out the window with long traditions of baking and creating great pies.
There are many great ways to build pie traditions in your home. Here are a few suggestions I have:
- Pie contest with family members.
- Pie eating contest
- Pie walks, like the old fashioned cake walks
- Try a new recipe
- Make tarts with the left over pie dough
- Pre-holiday pie parties with family and friends
- Don’t allow store bought pies in your home
Pie baking can and should be a fun family tradition, one that brings joy to everyone. If you already have those traditions in place share with others your joy and your success, and yes, share a pie.
Happy Holidays and Pie Baking,
Chef Brad
Mamie’s Pie Crust
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup lard, Crisco, Frozen butter, or butter Crisco
- ¾ cup cold water
- In WonderMix bowl with whip attachment place and mix dry ingredients.
- My grandmother used lard, but I have found I like frozen butter. I do use lard once in a great while. After all if you want the same memories you have to use what Grandma used.
- Take the butter, that is frozen and using your WonderMix slicer shredder, grate the butter with the cheese grater. Place in mixer bowl with dry ingredients. Using dough hood add water until dough just starts to form.
- Mix lightly. Be sure not to over mix. Makes enough for 1 pie or 2 shells.