This recipe by Stella Parks is not only the easiest, foolproof recipe we have come across but it’s also the best pastry we have ever tasted.
| Balance Factor | -2.5 |
| Prep Time | 25 mins |
| Serving Size | 1/8 of the pie shell |
| Servings |
1/8 pie shell
|
Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 lb cold butter 2 sticks or 225 grams
- 1/2 cup cold tap water 4 ozs or 115 grams
Ingredients
|
Instructions
For the Dough:
- Whisk flour, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl. Cut butter into cubes no smaller than 1/2 inch. and toss with flour mixture to break up the pieces.

- With your finger tips, smash each cube flat - that's it! No rubbing or cutting.

- Stir in water then knead dough against the sides of the bowl until it comes together in a shaggy ball.

- Dough temperature should register between 65 and 70 degrees F (18 and 21 degrees C), if not, refridgerate briefly before rolling or folding.

Make the Layers:
- On a generously floured work surface, roll dough into a roughly 10- by 15- inch rectangle.

- For the 10- inch sides to the center, then close the newly formed packet like a book.

- Fold in half once more, bringing the short sides together to create a thick block.

- Divide in half with a sharp knife or bench scraper. Dough temperature should still be somewhere between 65 and 70 degrees F (18 and 21 degrees C), if not, refrigerate briefly before proceeding with rolling out the dough.

Recipe Notes
Here's Stella Park's full recipe (including baking tips) and a video of her making the pastry. Thank-you, Stella! It takes a village to raise good cooks and healthy eaters!
Nutrition Facts
Old-Fashioned Flaky Pie Dough Recipe (Serious Eats - Stella Parks)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 147
Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g
17%
Saturated Fat 7g
35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 30mg
10%
Sodium 82mg
3%
Potassium 20mg
1%
Total Carbohydrates 10g
3%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g
2%
Sugars 1g
Protein 1g
2%
Vitamin A
11%
Calcium
0.2%
Iron
3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.







