All-Butter Pie Crust

Cut the butter into 1/2-inch cubes, setting apart 5 tablespoons. Freeze those 5 tablespoons for 20 minutes or up to overnight. Stash the remaining 9 tablespoons in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Stir the red wine vinegar into the cold water.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, salt, and sugar and pulse 5 or 6 times to combine.

Add the 9 tablespoons butter and mix for 25 to 30 seconds, until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Add the frozen butter and pulse 15 to 20 times, until the mixture is in pea-size pieces.

Add 6 tablespoons vinegar water and pulse 6 times. The dough should start to look crumbly. Test the dough by squeezing a small amount in the palm of your hand. If it easily holds together, it’s done. If not, add 1/2 tablespoon vinegar water and pulse 3 more times. Repeat this process as needed until the dough holds together.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and gently knead just until smooth. Do not overwork the dough. It will still be a slightly shaggy mess.

Divide the dough into 2 equal parts and roll each into a ball. Flatten the balls slightly and wrap separately in plastic wrap. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator until ready to use, at least 20 minutes but preferably overnight. (Once the dough is rested, it can remain in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or be frozen for up to 1 week.)

To blind bake the pie, lightly coat a 9-inch pie pan with canola-based cooking spray and dust it with flour. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a circle larger than the pie pan. Transfer the dough to the pan and roll a rolling pin over the top of the pan, letting the excess dough fall away. Crimp the edges of the dough as desired. Freeze the pie shell until firm, about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC).

Place the frozen, crimped pie shell on a baking sheet. Line the inside of the shell with parchment paper or a coffee filter. Fill with uncooked beans or pie weights until the beans or weights are even with the top edge of the crimp. Press down to make sure they spread to the edges of the shell.

Bake for 20 minutes, rotating the pie shell 180° halfway through the baking time. The outer edge of the crimp should be dry and golden brown. 

Remove the pie shell from the oven and carefully remove the parchment paper or coffee filter full of beans. If the paper sticks to the pie, bake it for 3 more minutes and try again. Once the parchment paper or coffee filter is removed, prick the bottom of the shell all over with a fork. Bake for 3 more minutes, until the interior of the shell is dry and light golden brown. 

Let cool to room temperature before filling with your choice of filling. Originally published September 25, 2013.