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–+ servings

Brown Butter Pie Crust

Keyword: Brown Butter, Pie, Pie Crust
Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 2 12 inch crusts
Author: Lena B.
Cost: $7
A delectable brown butter pie crust that can be used to create the most flavorful and flaky pies you've ever made.
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Rubber spatula
  • Parchment paper
  • Freezer-safe dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Pastry cutter or fork for cutting butter into dry ingredients
  • Measuring cups/spoons
  • Whisk
  • Rolling Pin
  • Pie dish
  • Plastic wrap
  • Pastry brush

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups 3 sticks unsalted butter
  • 3 ¾ cups all purple flour
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup ice cold water more, if necessary
  • 1 large egg

Instructions

Brown and freeze the butter

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the butter turns a golden brown color and gives off a nutty aroma. Be careful not to let it burn. Once browned, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  • Pour brown butter into a parchment paper-lined freezer-safe dish and freeze until solid.

Prepare the dough

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
  • Cut butter into the dry ingredients until the dough resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Gradually add the ice water, a few tablespoons at a time, and mix until the dough just holds together when pinched.
  • Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap the disks in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days.

Assemble the pie

  • Once chilled, remove the dough 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 disk of dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie dish.
  • Fill the pie according to your recipe, then roll out the second disk of dough for a double-crust pie, or use the second disk for another pie.
  • Follow the baking instructions for your specific pie recipe.

Notes

  • A fork can be used instead of a pastry cutter, if you don’t have one of those on hand.
  • If you remember, stir the butter about 30 minutes into freezing to evenly distribute all the browned flavor bits throughout the butter instead of them sitting at the bottom.