Perfect Pie Crust

ULTIMATE PIE CRUST

Ingredients:

- 3 cups Flour

- 3/4 t. Salt

- 3/4 cup Shortening

- 1/2 cup REAL Butter

- 1/2 cup Ice Water

Directions:

1. Combine Flour and Salt

2. Cut in shortening and butter until crumbly

3. Add ice water and stir in until evenly blended DO NOT OVER MIX THE DOUGH

4. Separate into two rounds and refrigerate in an airtight container for about 1 hr

5. Roll out!

Hints and Tips:

•  Use chilled butter and ICE water. This makes the crust easier to fold and unfold without tearing
• NEVER use a microwave to soften butter. Trust Me!
• Once the ice water has been added, keep handling of the dough to a minimum.
• Shape dough into two thick disks. Smooth out any cracks that may appear around the outside edges. 
• Wrap individually and refrigerate for about an hour in an airtight container 
• Let dough return to almost room temp.  before rolling
• Sprinkle table or counter generously with flour
• Use a pastry brush to remove flour from top of crust
• Fold crust in half. Brush again to remove flour from the bottom
• Fold again into quarters. Brush again. Turn over and brush again
• Make sure oven has been preheated all the way to 425. This helps the crust poof up. Decrease temp. to 375 after 15 minutes
• Bake on the bottom rack with foil lining the very bottom of the oven.