How does Martha Stewart make pie crust?
Sarah Cherry
Published Mar 07, 2026
How does Martha Stewart make pie crust?
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar.
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces.
- 2 to 4 tablespoons ice water.
What does adding egg to pie crust do?
Egg: This makes the dough more pliable and easy to roll out. Eggs also make the crust more compact. Acid and Alcohol: Both acid and alcohol tenderize pie dough, make it easier to roll out, and prevent it from shrinking in your pan.
What are three kitchen tools that helped in making a good pie crust?
The Fundamentals:
- Multi-Unit Measuring Cups. Precise measurements of both dry and wet ingredients, like flour and water, are necessary for pie, and this OXO product makes it easy to do all in one place.
- Measuring Cups.
- Measuring Spoons.
- Food Processor.
- Dough Blender.
- Mixing Bowls.
- Rolling Pin.
Why do you use ice water for pie crust?
As the fat is mixed with the flour, it is warmed slightly. Then, the water is poured in, and the ice-cold temperature of the water prevents the fat from warming any further, which could potentially melt it into the flour rather than retaining the small bits of fat.
What is the primary Leavener for pie crust?
Steam is the leavening agent in popovers and cream puffs. Steam contributes a little leavening in cakes and pie crusts. The baking temperature for quick breads, whose primary leavening agent is steam, needs to be quite high. Usually the baking temperature will be around 400 F.
What is the secret to a good pie crust?
The Best-Kept Secrets for Perfect Homemade Pie Crust
- Start with the Right Pie Baking Tools.
- Cut in the Butter until You See Peas.
- Choose Lard.
- Use Ice-Cold Water.
- Don’t Overmix.
- Keep the Dough Cool.
- Pick the Right Plate.
- Bake with the Rack on the Bottom.
Can you use milk instead of water for pie crust?
The more fat you’ve got in your crust, the better it will taste and the better its texture. We also use whole milk instead of water—another way to inject more fat into the crust, and a key ingredient for getting it super flaky.
How do I make my pie crust crispy?
Coating the surface of the bottom crust will create a barrier to prevent sogginess. Adding a layer of corn syrup or a slightly beaten egg white before pouring in the filling will form a seal between the pie dough and the filling and will help make the crust crisp and flaky.
What causes flaky pie crust?
Flakiness comes from the solid fat (butter, shortening, lard, or cream cheese) that’s used to make the dough. The size of the fat pieces in the raw dough determines the quality of the flakiness in the crust: The larger the pieced of fat, the larger the flakes.