Perfect Pie Crust Using Coconut Oil: A Step-by-Step Guide
Elevate your baking game with a pie crust made using coconut oil—a healthier and equally delicious alternative to traditional crusts. Follow our comprehensive guide below to achieve flaky, flavorful pie crust perfection.
1. Gather Your Ingredients
Start by assembling your ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup coconut oil, solid (chilled in the refrigerator)
- 6-8 tablespoons ice water
pie crust using coconut oil
2. Prepare the Coconut Oil
Measure out the coconut oil and chill it in the refrigerator until it solidifies. This step is crucial for achieving a flaky crust.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt until well combined.
4. Cut in the Coconut Oil
Remove the chilled coconut oil from the refrigerator and cut it into small cubes. Add the coconut oil to the flour mixture.
Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut the coconut oil into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Be sure not to overmix—small pea-sized pieces of coconut oil should still be visible in the dough.
5. Add the Ice Water
Gradually drizzle ice water over the flour and coconut oil mixture, one tablespoon at a time. Gently mix the dough with a fork or your hands until it begins to come together.
Continue adding ice water and mixing until the dough holds together when pressed between your fingers. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can result in a tough crust.
6. Form the Dough
Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a disc. Wrap the discs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax and prevents the crust from shrinking during baking.
pie crust using coconut oil
7. Roll Out the Crust
Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a circle large enough to fit your pie plate. Be sure to roll the dough evenly to achieve a uniform thickness.
8. Transfer to Pie Plate
Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to your pie plate by gently folding it in half and then in quarters. Place the dough in the pie plate and unfold it, gently pressing it into the bottom and sides of the plate.
Trim any excess dough from the edges, leaving a ½-inch overhang to crimp or decorate as desired.
9. Fill and Bake Once your pie crust is in place, fill it with your favorite pie filling and bake according to your recipe's instructions.
Enjoy the delicious, flaky goodness of your homemade pie crust made using coconut oil—it's sure to be a hit at your next gathering!
Conclusion With this simple and straightforward recipe, you can create a perfect pie crust using coconut oil that's not only healthier but also bursting with flavor. Experiment with different fillings and get ready to impress your friends and family with your baking skills!