lard pie crust recipe

lard pie crust recipe

The Best lard pie crust recipe

I’ve been making lard pie crust for years, and it’s a staple in my household. It’s a classic recipe that never fails to impress. My family loves it because it’s flaky, tender, and has just the right amount of fat to make it taste rich and satisfying.

I love it because it’s easy to make and requires no special equipment – just a pastry blender and a rolling pin. The best part is that it’s versatile enough to be used for both sweet and savory fillings, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether I’m making a dessert pie for a family gathering or a savory pie for a weeknight dinner, lard pie crust is always a good idea.

The technique behind making a good pie crust is all about keeping the ingredients cold and using the right ratio of fat to flour. When you get it right, the crust will be flaky and tender, with a beautiful texture that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. One of the reasons I love lard pie crust so much is that it’s incredibly easy to make from scratch.

All you need is some flour, lard or butter, ice-cold water, and salt. The key is to keep everything cold and to use the right amount of liquid – if you add too much water, the crust will be soggy and difficult to roll out. But if you get the ratio just right, the crust will come together beautifully in your hands and will be easy to shape into a perfect circle or rectangle.

This is especially true when you’re making individual pies or tarts – the lard pie crust recipe yields just enough dough for 4-6 mini pies or 2-3 larger ones. In fact, I often find myself making multiple batches of this dough at once because it freezes so well – simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge or let it sit at room temperature for an hour before rolling it out.

With this recipe, you’ll never have to worry about store-bought pie crusts again – just make your own lard pie crust from scratch using this simple technique.

Classic Lard Pie Crust

Classic Lard Pie Crust

4.6 from 1848 votes

This flaky, tender pie crust uses lard for a rich flavor and delicate texture. It is perfect for both sweet and savory pies, and comes together quickly with just a few ingredients.

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time1 hour 15 mins
Servings: 8Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 220 kcal

🥘Ingredients

For the Crust

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold lard, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup ice water

👨‍🍳Directions

1In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt.
2Add the cold lard pieces and cut them into the flour using a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized bits of lard remaining.
3Sprinkle 1/2 cup ice water over the flour mixture, one tablespoon at a time, and gently stir with a fork until the dough begins to come together.
4Press the dough into a ball; if it is too dry, add another tablespoon of ice water, but do not overwork the dough.
5Flatten the dough into a disk about 1 inch thick, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
6This resting period allows the gluten to relax and the lard to firm up, ensuring a flaky crust.
7On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter, turning it occasionally to prevent sticking.
8Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate and gently press it into the bottom and up the sides, trimming any excess overhang.
9For a pre-baked crust, prick the bottom and sides with a fork, line with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
10Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and parchment and bake for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

🔧Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Pastry cutter or two forks
Measuring cups and spoons
Plastic wrap
Rolling pin
9-inch pie plate

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 220 kcal🧈Total Fat: 16g💛Saturated Fat: 6g❤️Cholesterol: 15mg🧂Sodium: 290mg🌾Total Carbs: 17g🥦Dietary Fiber: 1g🍬Sugars: 0g🥩Protein: 3g

📝Notes

For the best texture, keep all ingredients and equipment as cold as possible. If the dough becomes too warm while rolling, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before continuing.

Watch Video Of How Classic Lard Pie Crust Works

One of the best things about this lard pie crust recipe is that it freezes beautifully – simply wrap any leftover dough tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the fridge or let it sit at room temperature for an hour before rolling it out.

With this recipe on hand, you’ll never have to worry about store-bought pie crusts again – just make your own lard pie crust from scratch using this simple technique.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Lard Pie Crust

Q: What type of flour should I use for this recipe?

You can use either all-purpose flour or bread flour for this recipe – both will produce delicious results.

Q: Can I substitute butter for lard in this recipe?

While you can use butter instead of lard, keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different.

Q: How do I know if my dough is overworked?

If your dough becomes too warm and sticky during rolling out, it may be overworked.

Q: Can I make this dough ahead of time?

This dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before rolling out.

Q: Why does this recipe call for ice-cold water?

The ice-cold water helps to create a flaky texture by preventing the gluten from developing too much during mixing.

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