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Making Perfect Piecrusts

This Thanksgiving, many families will enjoy a feast complete with homemade pie. If you're in the process of planning your family's Thanksgiving meal, then you might be seeking a way to make the perfect piecrust. The right crust can make or break a pie -- so keep this in mind before preparing yours!

There are some time-tested ways you can ensure your piecrust is perfect. How to make your piecrust depends on the kind of pie you're making. For a traditional crust that would be perfect for pumpkin or apple pie, try this recipe:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup shortening such as Crisco
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cubed butter
7 tablespoons of ice water

You want to make sure your butter, shortening and water are cold. This is an essential step to making a great crust! Mix your dry ingredients first, then gently cut in your fat. Lumps are perfectly acceptable at this point. Next, slowly add the water, blending gently. The crust should appear dry, but when you squeeze it with your hand, it should stick together. After blending your dough, be sure to refrigerate for at least an hour before rolling. Rolling the dough should be done with a rolling pin, and it may take a while to get the perfect technique down. After rolling the crust flat on top of waxed paper, gently flip it into your pie pan and press. After that, all that's left is to shape the edges of the crust, add the filling, and bake!

If you're making a different type of pie or even a cheesecake, then you might want a graham cracker crust. In this case, the process is a bit more simple. You'll need crushed graham crackers in the flavor of your choice. You'll probably want to use a food processor to get the crumbs to the smallest consistency possible. After crumbing the crackers, melt 1/4 cup of butter and combine with your crumbs. All that's left to do is press the crumbs into your pie or cake pan. The crumbs should be moist and easily stick together, yet not too wet.

By following these simple tips, you can make the perfect piecrust that will make your holiday pies better than ever before!