The perfect pie crust is something that only the best bakers can make. It takes a lot of skill in order to get one just right. If you are wondering how to perfect your pie crust, utilize these tips below.

Make Sure Your Ingredients Are Cold

Many pie crusts fail because gluten develops in the flour. You can keep this from happening by making sure cold ingredients stay cold. Don’t leave your flour or eggs sitting out on the counter while you are preparing the other ingredients. Make sure they come right from the refrigerator. Swap out warm water for cold water as well.

Add Lemon Juice

It’s imperative that you add a tablespoon of lemon juice to your pie crust recipe. The result will be a tender pie crust that melts in your mouth. Don’t worry about your pie crust tasting too sour. Since it’s such a small amount that you are adding, you won’t taste the lemon juice at all.

Stop Over-mixing The Ingredients

You may be tempted to really mix all of the ingredients thoroughly. However, this can keep you from having the perfect pie crust. It will actually just make your dough tougher. It’s okay for little bits of egg or butter to be visible. If you want the perfect pioneer woman pie crust, you need to use your fingertips to gently work the dough. Don’t knead it too much.

Let Your Pie Crust Chill

After you mix all of your ingredients together, you may notice that your pie crust feels a bit warm. If this is the case, you should put it in the refrigerator for around 30 minutes. Flatten it first, wrap it and then put it in the refrigerator. It will be well worth the wait in order to have the perfect pie crust.

Use Aluminum Foil Around The Edges

It can be difficult to keep the edges from getting too brown during the baking process. This often happens because the cooking times for the middle of the pie and the edges are different. Fortunately, you can easily keep the edges of the pie from browning too much. Place aluminum foil over the edge of the pie. Remove it about 15 minutes before you plan on taking the pie out of the oven.

Don’t Forget An Egg Yolk

Most pie crust recipes don’t include an egg yolk. However, it is necessarily in order to make the perfect pie crust. It will help make your dough easier to work with because of the additional fat content. Don’t worry about the egg yolk adding too much liquid to your ingredients. The flour will easily absorb all of it.

In conclusion, you can make the perfect pie crust. By utilizing the tips mentioned above, you can make the perfect pie crust every single time. Just remember to be patient, and don’t be afraid to keep practicing until you get it right.