Vodka Pie Crust

Name: Vodka Pie Crust
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 2 crusts
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon table salt; 2 tablespoons sugar; 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices; 1/2 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces; 1/4 cup cold vodka; 1/4 cup cold water

Submitted by StevenHB

"Uses a trick learned from Cooks' Illustrated. Alcohol doesn't activate gluten formation the way that water does, so the use of booze in place of some water results in a moist, workable dough that doesn't get tough."

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photo by Marie Nixon

Ready In:: 1hr 5mins
Ingredients:: 7
Yields:: 2 crusts

ingredients

2 ¹⁄₂ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons sugar
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices
¹⁄₂ cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
¹⁄₄ cup cold vodka
¹⁄₄ cup cold water

directions

Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses.
Add butter and shortening and process until homogeneous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour).
Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade.
Add remaining 1 cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses.
Empty mixture into medium bowl.
Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture.
With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together.
Divide dough into two even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk.
Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.

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Reviews

Best piecrust ever. I will never buy pre-made again; this is so easy.

Bobbys Mum
Love it! I am a horrible pie maker, but even though it didn't look pretty, it tasted great! Thank you for sharing.

Smile1968
Super flaky and wonderful. I did not add sugar because I was making a quiche.

Falconspicegirl
Most pie recipes say to add as little water as possible but this recipe says just throw in the full 1/4C.! don't know how it works but it works. I used this for the crust on a coconut cream pie. The crust browned nicely and tasted good.

Marie Nixon