Enter the realm of classic baking with a recipe that has endured the test of time. Ruth’s Grandma’s Pie Crust is a family recipe that offers a flaky, buttery base for your favorite pies. This dish exemplifies tradition, infusing each pie with comfort and nostalgia. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure and enjoy the enchantment of a pie crust that is both tasty and ageless.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups regular flour
1 cup cold, cubed unsalted butter
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 granulated sugar teaspoon
14–1/2 cup icy water
Instructions:

1. Flour Fusion: Combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Combine the dry ingredients and stir until completely combined.
2. Butter Bliss: To the flour mixture, add the cold, cubed unsalted butter. Work the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter, two forks, or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The goal is to sprinkle little, pea-sized bits of butter throughout.
3. Liquid Magic: Drizzle 1/4 cup icy water over the flour-butter mixture. Mix the dough gently with a fork or your hands. Add more water, a tablespoon at a time, as needed, until the dough comes together. When squeezed, it should retain its shape but not become too moist.
4. Putting It All Together: Turn the dough out onto a floured board. Knead and push the dough gently until it forms a cohesive ball. Divide the dough in half and make a disc out of each half.
5. Chilling Time: Wrap each dough disc in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days. Chilling the dough causes the butter to firm up and relax, making it easier to roll out.
6. Rolling Magic: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and set it aside at room temperature for a few minutes to soften somewhat. Roll out one disc of dough into a 1/8-inch-thick circle on a floured surface.
7. Placement of the Crust: Gently transfer the rolled-out dough into a pie plate. Gently press it to the bottom and edges of the dish, making sure there are no air pockets.
8. Trim and Decorate: Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, trim any excess dough hanging over the edges of the pie plate. If you’re cooking a single-crust pie, you can decorate the edges using crimping.
9. Pie Perfection: Fill and bake the pie dough according to the instructions for your unique pie recipe.

Conclusion: Ruth’s Grandma’s Pie Crust exemplifies the beauty of tradition and the artistry of homemade baking. This pie crust, with its flaky layers and deep buttery flavor, serves as a blank canvas for your culinary masterpieces. Share the enchantment with family and friends, and revel in the pleasure of creating pies that pay homage to the past while delighting in the present. You’ll be reminded of the timeless skill of baking and the love that goes into every mouthful as you stretch out the dough and fill it with your favorite fillings.