Skip to main content
Hot Water Pie Crust

Hot Water Pie Crust

By Rose HattabaughSeptember 26, 2024

  • Makes
    Makes one baked 9-inch pie crust
  • Cook Time
    50 minutes
  • Active time plus cooling
    15 minutes active, plus cooling
  • Rating

This easy-to-make pie crust bakes up with a sturdy, sandy texture instead of the flaky layers of standard pie dough. It uses two types of fat: butter for flavor and shortening to help ensure a tender, cookie-like texture. To prevent shrinking and slipping during baking, the foil-lined pie shell is filled with about 2 cups of pie weights. The weights are removed after about 20 minutes, then the pie shell is returned to the oven to allow it to brown all over.

Tip

Don’t make the dough in advance. It’s easiest to work with when just made. Also, don’t roll it too thin; aim for ¼-inch thickness. If the dough tears when putting it into the pie plate, simply patch it; it’s very forgiving that way.

Ingredients
  • 195

    grams (1½ cups) all-purpose flour

  • ¼

    teaspoon table salt

  • 57

    grams (4 tablespoons) salted butter, cut into pieces

  • 47

    grams (¼ cup) vegetable shortening, cut into pieces

Step 1

Heat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the middle position. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then make a well in the center; set aside.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, combine the butter, shortening and ¼ cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, stirring to melt the solids. As soon as they’re melted and the mixture is simmering, pour it into the well of the dry ingredients. Working quickly, stir with a silicone spatula until the dry ingredients are evenly moistened and without any dry patches; the dough will be very soft and resemble wet mashed potatoes. Turn it out onto a large sheet of plastic wrap and, using your hands, form it into a 6- to 8-inch disk.

Step 3

Cover the dough disk with another large sheet of plastic wrap and roll it into a 12-inch round of even thickness. Peel off the top sheet of plastic. Using the bottom sheet, carefully flip the round into a 9-inch pie plate, centering it as best you can. Ease the dough, still on the plastic, into the corners and up the sides of the pie plate. Carefully peel off the plastic. If needed, patch any tears in the dough. Trim the excess dough and flute or crimp the edge. Carefully line the dough with a large sheet of foil, gently pressing it into the corners and up the sides, then fill with about 2 cups pie weights.

Step 4

Bake until the dough is set, about 20 minutes. Carefully lift out the foil with weights, then prick the pie shell all over with a fork to deflate any air bubbles and prevent additional ones from forming. Bake until the shell is lightly browned, another 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.