Mastering Martha Stewart's Perfect Pie Crust
Martha Stewart, the doyenne of domesticity, has shared her secrets to a perfect pie crust, and we're here to spill the beans. A flawless pie crust is the foundation of any delicious pie, and with Martha's recipe and our step-by-step guide, you'll be well on your way to becoming a pie-making pro.
Martha Stewart's Perfect Pie Crust Recipe
Before we dive into the technique, here's Martha's go-to pie crust recipe. This recipe makes enough dough for a double-crust pie.
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces | 1 1/2 cups |
| Ice water | 1/2 cup |
Martha's Pie Crust Technique: The Secret to Flakiness
Martha's method involves a unique technique to create a flaky crust. She suggests using a food processor to cut the butter into the flour, which helps maintain the cold temperature of the butter and results in distinct layers when rolled out.

Step 1: Pulse Flour and Salt
In a food processor, combine the flour and salt. Pulse until well mixed.
Step 2: Add Butter
Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
Step 3: Add Ice Water
With the processor running, slowly pour in the ice water. Pulse until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix; you should still see small pieces of butter.

Step 4: Chill and Roll
Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. When ready to use, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness.
Tips from Martha Stewart
- Keep it cold: Working with cold ingredients is key to a flaky crust. Keep your butter and water in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Don't overwork the dough: Overmixing the dough can result in a tough crust. Be gentle and pulse sparingly in the food processor.
- Use a measuring cup for water: Martha recommends using a measuring cup with a spout to easily pour the ice water into the food processor.
With Martha Stewart's perfect pie crust recipe and technique, you're well on your way to creating show-stopping pies that will impress your family and friends. Happy baking!