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Pie crusts are as versatile as they are tasty, but it's hard to beat the delicious flakiness of a classic butter crust.

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Place the flour, sugar, and salt into a mixing bowl. Mix using a food processor, fork, or spoon.

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Add about half the butter and mix it into the dry ingredients. Add the rest and mix until the butter cubes are roughly pea-sized.

Add about half of your ice water to the mixture, mixing thoroughly. Add more, a tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition.

Divide the dough into two evenly-sized mounds. Slightly knead each mound with your hands to create a small disk. It should just barely hold together without cracking. Sprinkle both disks with some flour and wrap them in plastic wrap. Place them in the refrigerator for at least an hour, up to two days.

Remove one disk from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for five to 10 minutes. This allows it to soften a bit, making it easier to roll out.

Lightly flour your work area and use a rolling pin to flatten the pie crust. It should be roughly 12 inches in diameter and about ⅛ of an inch thick. Carefully place your dough into the pie plate. Use kitchen shears to trim the dough to within a ½-inch of the pie dish's edge.

Some pies require you to bake the crust before adding the filling. Preheat your oven to 350 F and line your pie crust with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Fill it with pie weights like rice, dry beans, or sugar, to prevent air bubbles. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes if you plan to bake it again after adding a filling, otherwise bake it for 60 to 75 minutes. Allow it to cool completely before filling.

If you pre-baked your pie, remove the aluminum foil or parchment paper and the pie weights. Add your filling. Remember that some pies may rise in the oven, so don't overfill your pie crust.

Roll out your second disk of dough as you did the first. Gently place it onto the filling and pie crust, trimming any excess. Leave enough dough for around a ¾-inch overhang. Fold the top piece of dough over and under the edge of the bottom section, pressing them together as you work.

Flute the edges using your fingers or press them with a fork.

Score the top of the pie with at least four two-inch cuts so the steam can escape.

Follow the recipe for the pie filling to determine your baking temperature and timing. If there aren't any specifics available, preheat the oven to 350 F. Place your pie on the middle rack and bake until the top is golden brown.

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Make the Perfect Butter Pie Crust

Switch up your sweet potato casserole, a traditional holiday side dish, by topping it with crispy roasted pecans.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (165 degrees C). Cube the sweet potatoes. Bring the water to boil in a medium saucepan. Add the sweet potatoes and cook over medium-high heat until they're tender. Drain the water and mash.

Place the mashed sweet potatoes in the large mixing bowl. Add the white sugar, butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix the ingredients until you have a smooth, creamy consistency. Transfer the mixture into the 9x13 baking dish and set aside.

Mix the brown sugar with the flour, then cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse, about pea-sized. Add the pecans, and gently combine them with the butter mixture. Top the sweet potatoes with this mixture.

Place the casserole in the oven, on the middle rack. Bake for 30 minutes. You'll know it's done once the topping turns a light golden brown.

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole For Your Next Feast

Cooking a turkey can be challenging, but with a bit of effort you can wow your whole family when they gather around the Thanksgiving table.

Place the chopped carrot, celery, and onion in a large, shallow roasting pan. Place the turkey, breast-side up, on top of the vegetables.

Pat both the inside and outside of the turkey with paper towels.

Combine the black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Use around a third of the mixture to season the inside of the turkey. Fold the wing tips under the body.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until the edges become slightly golden. Add the sage and rosemary, cooking for one minute.

Place the herbs inside the turkey, saving the melted butter for later. Tie both legs together with twine.

Using a basting brush, spread melted butter over the outside of the turkey. Season the outside with your remaining salt mixture.

Cook the turkey, uncovered, in the oven until it is no longer pink at the bone and the juices are clear. This takes about three hours. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone. The turkey should read 180 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

How to Cook the Perfect Turkey

Garlic bread is a simple dish that requires just four ingredients. Next time you cook spaghetti (or any meal, really), add this unbeatable side dish.

Making the Perfect Homemade Garlic Bread

When you have the craving for a hearty, homestyle meal full of flavorful meat and veggies, goulash is one of your best bets.

How to Make Great Goulash at Home

If you want to spice up your regular pork recipe and enjoy a fabulous homestyle favorite, try southern&#x2d;style pork chops, smothered in rich onion gravy.

Savory Southern-Style Smothered Pork Chops

A classic dessert that is simple and beautiful, chocolate&#x2d;covered strawberries offer a combination of sweet fruit and rich topping.

At-Home Desserts: Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Focaccia is the perfect bread for home baking. While the basic recipe is simple, you can build upon it to make the focaccia your own.

Tips for Making the Best Focaccia

Making bread is the perfect combination of practicing self&#x2d;sufficiency and killing time. Sourdough requires few ingredients, making it a great option.

How to Make Sourdough Bread At Home

Smoked beef brisket isn't a last&#x2d;minute meal idea, and putting it all together may take more than a few tries, but the reward is worth it.

Beef Up Your Dinner Game with Smoked Beef Brisket

The perfect smoked ribs are tender and juicy on the inside and caramelized to perfection on the outside. Even a basic recipe yields delicious results.

How to Smoke Succulent, Delicious Ribs

Homemade pizza dough has a delicious, fresh, and unbeatable taste. Best of all, it's quick and easy to make this staple from scratch.

Make the Perfect Butter Pie Crust

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole For Your Next Feast

How to Cook the Perfect Turkey

Making the Perfect Homemade Garlic Bread

How to Make Great Goulash at Home

Savory Southern-Style Smothered Pork Chops

At-Home Desserts: Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Tips for Making the Best Focaccia

How to Make Sourdough Bread At Home

Beef Up Your Dinner Game with Smoked Beef Brisket

How to Smoke Succulent, Delicious Ribs

How to Make Pizza Dough From Scratch

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About

Explore

Make the Perfect Butter Pie Crust

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole For Your Next Feast

How to Cook the Perfect Turkey

Making the Perfect Homemade Garlic Bread

How to Make Great Goulash at Home

Savory Southern-Style Smothered Pork Chops

At-Home Desserts: Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Tips for Making the Best Focaccia

Make a habit out of it.

How to Make Sourdough Bread At Home

Beef Up Your Dinner Game with Smoked Beef Brisket

How to Smoke Succulent, Delicious Ribs

How to Make Pizza Dough From Scratch

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