Mary Ann Kinsinger’s Flakey Pie Crust

Mary Ann Kinsinger’s Flakey Pie Crust Recipe

Mary Ann Kinsinger is an author and blogger who I only know online; but she has given me (or shall I say the world) a wonderful pie crust recipe that beats out my traditional recipe hands down. I made some homemade apple and pecan pies over Christmas and the pie crust was a winner by all who ate it. Mary Ann grew up Amish and writes fictional books, teaming up with another well-known writer about things Amish, Suzanne Woods Fisher, and together they’ve written numerous books for 8-12 year old young girls.

Some time back, Mary Ann shared it on her Facebook page and I printed it out for myself. I tried it, liked it, then lost my copy of the recipe. So awhile back, I winged it, trying to remember how it went. The result was edible but not quite up to par. Couldn’t find the recipe anywhere but in cleaning off my desk so that my grandsons could use my office/bedroom over the holidays, lo and behold there it was at the bottom of a too large pile! I was very happy.

Without any more ado, here is the recipe:

Mary Ann Kinsinger’s Pie Dough

Makes three pie crusts, depending on how thin

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup butter flavored Crisco (or you can use plain Crisco and substitute in about ¼ cup softened butter)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup water

Mix flour and Crisco until you have nice even crumbs. (I use a dough cutter.) Add liquids. Use a spoon or two fingers to stir and incorporate the mix together. Don’t panic at this stage thinking the dough is too wet and gloopy (Mary Ann’s word). “It will all come together and make a perfect pie dough,” she says.

My sister-in-law, an awesome cook herself, pronounced the dough “very flakey.” And that’s a great thing to have in a pie. She also asked for the recipe so I’m posting it here!

Enjoy.

To make apple pie, use your best pie recipe, my favorite is here.

Visit Mary Ann’s website which has been going since 2009 and to see all her lovely books for young girls.

And if you are serious about keeping the tradition of family dinner time alive and well, get a copy of my book from 2011: Whatever Happened to Dinner: Recipes and Reflections on Family Mealtime.