My pie crust was tough for 9 years until I saw my mom kneading bread

I always made pie dough the way I made everything else, just mixing until it looked smooth. Last Thanksgiving my mom watched me and said "honey, you're overworking that like it's bread dough" and it clicked. She showed me how the flour should barely come together and that little streaks of butter are a good thing. I tried again that same weekend with the same recipe and the crust was flaky for the first time EVER. Anyone else have a family member point out something basic you'd been messing up forever?

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1 Comment

seth_shah1mo ago

Tough crust for 9 years? Sounds like you were doing it right the whole time. Overworking dough makes it tough, sure, but underworking it makes it fall apart when you roll it out. I've seen crusts crack and crumble because people got scared of touching the dough too much. Maybe your mom's way works for her, but flaky isn't always better. A little chew in a crust holds up better with wet fillings.