Alice’s Pie Crust is a classic pastry crust used for making delicious pies. While there isn’t a specific historical figure named Alice associated with this crust, it’s a common and versatile recipe used by many bakers. Let’s break down the components, preparation steps, and time needed to make it:
Components:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 6-8 tablespoons ice water
Preparation Steps:
-
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
-
Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. You can use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The goal is to have small, pea-sized pieces of butter distributed throughout the mixture.
-
Add Ice Water: Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, while gently mixing the dough with a fork. Continue adding water until the dough starts to come together. Be careful not to overwork the dough; it should just hold together when squeezed.
-
Form Dough: Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together into a cohesive ball. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape them into discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until the dough is well-chilled.
-
Roll Out Crust: Once the dough is chilled, remove one disc from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a circle, about 12 inches in diameter. This will be your bottom crust.
-
Transfer to Pie Pan: Carefully transfer the rolled-out crust to a 9-inch pie pan. Gently press it into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, trimming any excess dough hanging over the edges.
-
Fill and Bake: Fill the pie crust with your desired filling (e.g., fruit, custard, or savory ingredients), and follow the recipe instructions for baking your specific pie. The baking time will vary depending on the type of pie you’re making.
Time Needed:
- Preparing the dough: 15-20 minutes
- Chilling the dough: 1 hour minimum
- Rolling out and assembling the crust: 15-20 minutes (per crust)
- Baking time depends on the specific pie recipe.
Overall, Alice’s Pie Crust is a versatile and fundamental recipe for making pies, and it can be used for both sweet and savory creations. Enjoy baking your delicious pies!
Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Alice’s Pie Crust. Please note that these values are approximate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used:
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – 1 slice of pie crust):
- Calories: 120-140 calories
- Total Fat: 8-10 grams
- Saturated Fat: 5-6 grams
- Cholesterol: 20-25 milligrams
- Sodium: 100-150 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: 10-12 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugars: 0-1 gram
- Protein: 1-2 grams
Health Information:
-
Calories: Alice’s Pie Crust is relatively high in calories, primarily due to the butter used in the recipe. It’s important to enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
-
Total Fat: The crust contains a significant amount of fat, especially saturated fat from butter. Saturated fat should be consumed in limited quantities as it can contribute to heart health issues if consumed excessively.
-
Cholesterol: Butter is a source of dietary cholesterol, so if you have concerns about cholesterol intake, consider using substitutes like vegetable shortening or margarine with no trans fats.
-
Sodium: The sodium content is moderate and can vary depending on the amount of salt added. If you have high blood pressure or need to watch your sodium intake, consider using less salt in the recipe.
-
Carbohydrates: The crust contains carbohydrates, primarily from the flour. Keep in mind that the filling you use in your pie will add additional carbohydrates.
-
Dietary Fiber: Pie crusts typically don’t provide much dietary fiber. Consider incorporating fiber-rich ingredients into your pie filling to make the overall dessert more nutritious.
-
Sugars: The crust itself usually contains minimal sugar. The sugar content may increase depending on the filling you use.
In summary, Alice’s Pie Crust is a delicious but calorie-dense and high-fat component of pies. It’s best enjoyed in moderation, especially if you’re mindful of your calorie, fat, and cholesterol intake. To make your pie healthier, you can explore alternative crust recipes with lower-fat ingredients or whole grains. Additionally, consider using healthier fillings with more fruits or vegetables to boost the nutritional value of your pie.
