A few words about pie crusts

I absolutely adore a good pie crust.  Truth is, not much makes my husband or daughter happier than a good homemade pie (as happy, sure, but happier?).  And since part of my joy in cooking is joy in having people swoon, that works for me.

Sure, you can buy a nice refrigerator pie crust, or even a disposable tin already set with a pressed in crust, but you and I both know it isn't the same thing.  And making a crust takes more effort than not, but not that much effort, especially considering the joy and wonder you're getting out of it, right?

Over the years, I've come to really appreciate my 40th Anniversary Betty Crocker Cookbook.  My mom is  solidly Joy of Cooking, so that's where I started my life of cooking, but I find their breads a bit dry and poor textured, and their fruit pie fillings always seem to be too runny.  With time I've come to go appreciate Joy for variety and more variety, but Betty is my go-to.

Still, Betty's pie crusts are a bit lacking.

Who would have thought there'd be any difference at all? but after a few disappointing Betty crusts I knew it wasn't just a bad day in the kitchen, it really was Betty.

Turns out Joy has different proportions, better proportions by a long shot.  It isn't that there's any difference in how it's made, just what size measuring cup you use. It's all in the shortening, more shortening that is.

Of course, Joy specifies crust for 9" pie and most pie plates you pick up are at least 9 1/2 and besides extra crust for high rims and little cut-outs is always nice--I tend to make a recipe and a half for a covered pie.  Fractions, no problem--this is pie!

So, without further ado, The Perfect Pie Crust (2 single crust or 1 covered pie) at least according to Mrs. K consists of:

3 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon sugar (unless it's a pot pie or other savory thing, of course)
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup shortening

And I know, I know, refrigerator crust is so easy and the Doughboy so cute, what's the harm in that?  No harm, of course, and Mrs. K loves the Doughboy, too, but some day when you're not in a hurry and want to treat yourself to something not very hard but very special, promise me you'll give it a try?