Grandma Irenes Pie Crust Recipes

RUTH'S GRANDMA'S PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, shortening, sugar, and salt. Blend together with a pastry cutter until crumbly.
• In a small bowl, mix egg with water. Blend into flour mixture. Chill in refrigerator until ready to use.

GRANDMA'S PERFECT PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In a medium bowl stir together flour and salt. With a pastry blender cut in shortening till pea-sized.
• Sprinkle water on one tablespoon at a time tossing with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side. Mix till all flour is moistened. Don't mix too much or the crust will be hard.
• Form into a ball and roll out on the floured surface. Turn and flour the dough a few times till it's the size you need.

GRANDMA'S SECRET PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In large bowl mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening with two butter knifes.
• In separate bowl, mix together egg, vinegar, and water. Drizzle wet mixture into dry mixture, cutting it in.
• Roll out dough, and fit into two 9 inch pie pans.
• Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 12 minutes.

AUNTIE IRENE'S FOOLPROOF PIE CRUST (LARGE BATCH)

Steps:

• Cut flour, salt, sugar and half of Crisco together until crumbly, then cut remainder of Crisco in until size of peas; set aside.
• Put vinegar in a 2 quart liquid measuring cup.
• Fill to 2 1/2 cup mark with cold water.
• Add eggs and beat with fork.
• Drizzle over dry ingredients; stir with fork.
• Turn onto lightly floured board and knead approximately 5 times, until no longer "sticky".
• Divide by 1/2-3/4 cup measure.
• Roll out on a lightly floured surface, using as little flour as possible and handling as little as possible.
• Bake empty shells at 400°F for 10-12 minutes on the bottom rack of the oven.
• Cooking pies on the bottom rack of the oven will help prevent over browning of the top and soggy crusts on the bottom.
• This dough freezes extremely well; simply flatten divided dough into a disk and put into a Ziploc bag, removing all air; thaw in fridge and roll out as directed.

AUNT IRENE'S GRAHAM CRACKER PIE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat the oven to 350 F. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar; mix to blend.
• Use 3/4 of the graham cracker mixture to cover a deep-dish pie pan. Press the mixture well with your fingers to cover the bottom and sides of the dish. Set aside the remaining mixture for later use.
• Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove the pie crust from the oven and set it aside to cool.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 F.
• In a heavy, medium saucepan , combine the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk in the milk and egg yolks, then place the pan over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken and gently boil, or about 5 to 6 minutes.
• Continue cooking, whisking, until very thick, about 1 to 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter, a few pieces at a time. Stir in the vanilla and mix well.
• Pour the hot filling into the cooled graham cracker pie crust. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites at high speed until foamy.
• Add the cream of tartar and gradually add the sugar. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
• Stir in the vanilla extract and gently fold.
• Spread the meringue mixture to top the prepared pie.
• Sprinkle with the reserved graham cracker mixture and place the pie in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the meringue is browned.
• Chill the pie for at least 4 hours before serving.
• Enjoy.

GRANDMA LYNA'S BEST PIE CRUST

Steps:

• ALL INGREDIENTS AND TOOLS MUST BE ICE COLD, INCLUDING FLOUR AND SUGAR! MEASURE IN ADVANCE AND PLACE IN REFRIGERATOR FOR 1/2 AN HOUR BEFORE MAKING CRUST.
• Measure flour, confectioner's sugar, and salt into work bowl of food processor. Pulse quickly 2-3 times.
• Uncover bowl, add butter and lard/shortening, process 5-10 seconds until JUST blended.
• Through feed tube, add beaten egg and vinegar and 1/2 of the water. Pulse 2-3 times.
• Watching dough constantly, slowly drizzle the remaining water into the dough as processor is turning, STOPPING INSTANTLY when the dough begins to clump together. (It will look lumpy, rough and riddled with the yolk and butter. THIS IS NORMAL!).
• Turn dough onto Saran Wrap. press into rough circle of pie pan shape, wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Take off Saran Wrap. Roll chilled dough out between 2 layers of parchment paper. Lay into pan, fill and bake. Happy Baking!

GRANDMA FRIENDSHIP'S RAISIN PIE

Steps:

• On a lightly floured work surface, roll 1 piece of pie crust into a 12-inch round. With a dry pastry brush, sweep off the excess flour; fit dough into a 9-inch pie plate, pressing it into the edges. Cover with plastic wrap; chill pie shell until firm, about 30 minutes.
• In a medium saucepan, mix together raisins, water, cornstarch, sugar, vinegar, salt, cinnamon, and butter. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Let boil until very thick, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Pour raisin mixture into pie shell. On a lightly floured work surface, roll remaining piece of pie crust into a 12-inch round. Using a 1 1/4-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 8 decorative heart shapes in a circular pattern, from center of the top crust. Lay over raisin mixture. Trim top and bottom edges, leaving a 1-inch overhang; press lightly to seal, then fold under and press again. Crimp edges as desired.
• In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk, milk, and salt. Brush egg mixture over crust and place pie on a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake until crust is golden and filling is bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream.