Whether its fear of overworking the dough, or worries about crimping the crust, too many home cooks avoid learning how to roll out pie dough. But armed with a great pie crust recipe, and the right tips, anyone can nail the perfect summer pie. And once you do, theres no turning back to the pre-made pie pies.
Whatever you do, make sure the thickness is about 1/8-inch for your pie crusts. Thinner will result in rips and tears. Thicker and it won’t cook through and get flaky. Flour your work surface, the dough itself, and your rolling pin throughout the process as needed.
Brush it off
If the dough starts to warm up and becomes too difficult to handle, place it on a cutting board or baking sheet and chill for 10 to 15 minutes. Then proceed with rolling it out. The dough should be 1/8″ thick and 1″ wider than the pie plate. Heres a pro tip on measuring the doughs thickness: stack two quarters next to the dough. That heigh is roughly equivalent to 1/8 of an inch, the Epi Test Kitchens recommended thickness for pie dough.
Once the dough is the correct size—place the pie dish on top to check—use a pastry brush to remove any excess flour.
Roll it up
To transfer the dough into the pie dish, generously flour the rolling pin to avoid sticking, then carefully roll the dough around the pin. Starting at the top of the pie dish, slowly unroll it, centering it in the dish.
How to roll out pie crust
FAQ
How thin should I roll out pie crust?
What should the diameter of a rolled out pie crust be?
What is the secret to rolling out pie crust?
How thick should a rolled out pie crust be?
According to Williams-Sonoma, your pie crust should be 8 inches thick. What Should The Diameter Of A Rolled Out Pie Crust Be? Roll out the dough to 12 inches in diameter, about 1/4 inch thick. Rotate the dough as you work to ensure even thickness and avoid sticking. Roll the dough twice or three times before rolling it out to avoid sticking.
How do you roll out a pie crust?
So, let’s get started! Chill the Dough: Before rolling out the pie crust, make sure it is chilled. Cold dough is easier to handle and will not shrink as much during baking. Flour the Surface: Dust your work surface with flour to prevent sticking. A clean, well-floured surface will ensure a smooth and even roll.
How do you make a pie crust with a rolling pin?
Using the rolling pin, begin rolling the dough from the center outwards, applying gentle pressure. Roll in one direction, then lift the dough and rotate it a quarter turn. This ensures an even thickness and prevents sticking. Continue rolling and rotating the dough until you achieve the desired size and thickness for your pie crust.
How do you roll pie dough on a rolling pin?
Now that you have shaped your pie dough into a round disk, it’s time to start rolling it onto your rolling pin. This technique helps you transfer the dough more easily to the pie dish without it tearing or losing its shape. To begin, lightly flour your rolling pin to prevent sticking.