How to Make Pie Dough & Crust | Bake It Up a Notch with Erin McDowell

Welcome to part one of our four-part "Bake It Up a Notch" pie spectacular—celebrating the release of Erin’s new cookbook, The Book on Pie. This #bakingtutorial is all about pie dough and crust: the equipment, ingredients, techniques, and where things could go wrong. Be sure to share what you bake from this episode using #bakeitupanotch. Happy baking!

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0:00 - Pie spectacular intro
2:01 - Open up your toolkit
9:23 - Ingredients
15:24 - All about butter
19:52 - Get into the mix
35:38 - Time to chill
35:58 - You're on a roll
44:59 - Ready the crust
53:12 - PSA: Don't forget to save the scraps
55:12 - Crimp, your style
1:00:00 - Parbaking & blind baking
1:08:51 - Other crusts we love (for when pie dough seems too tricky)
1:11:22 - Mistakes happen


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[anuradhachanda]

She is a born teacher who teaches so naturally and passionately ! She is simply great

[ellenslavitz]

How does this woman not have a TV show? If anyone deserves to have success based on her skills and knowledge, Erin does. She is fabulous.

[iluminameluna]

One of my obstacles when making pie crusts was always my being too slow because of my arthritis, and got hands. When you said, "pie needs EVERYTHING to be cold", I realized the one thing I couldn't keep cold was the crust dough as I rolled it out. It took me too long to do it!
The lightbulb clicked on, though, and I realized what I needed to do: fill an empty glass bottle with ice & water to use as a rolling pin! PERFECT solution. Because once I need to sit to start rolling the dough, I can't just keep getting up to chill it, then sit back down to roll it out, rinse and repeat, if you get my drift.
The very chilled bottle was the perfect solution. Even the tiny bit of condensation that formed on the shoulders (it was pretty humid when I did it) helped with the dough. 😊
Your VERY informative videos are a real TREASURE, Erin. Thank you IMMENSELY! ❤

[gideonamare]

She's not only extremely knowledgeable and a brilliant teacher, she's also a fantastic presenter & extremely likeable, you a superstar girl

[thaddeusmontgomery]

i cant believe this is free, like i just typed pie dough into the youtube searcher and this whole 1:20 long lesson is just available for free. bonkers. i love living in this era of human history. this is beautiful i love living on earth with all those loving humans just explaining their passion and knowledge in such a detailed way and completly for free on youtube. the democratization of information. And im in Brazin of all places! and i can just access this kind of information! i love it here i love you erin and i am happy

[minyc]

She is the absolute best teacher!!! I have a pastry chef degree and was never taught why we chill, not have butter melt, how to properly roll, what size butter pieces CAN be, how to properly coat the butter in flour before adding water, par baking, etc etc. I’ve been looking for these answers for over 10 years. Thank you!

[ninaholmes]

What a treasure Erin is! These in-depth tutorials are exactly what beginner pie bakers need. I don’t care for religious bakers or someone saying “y’all” at the end of every sentence. Erin explains the “why” behind the basics. I had never seen anyone explain the five types of pie doughs you can create - that was worth watching the whole video. Wonderful 🥧

[diannevita]

Easily, the flakiest, most tender delicious pie crust I have EVER made. The piecrust shatters in my mouth into buttery flakes. It is simply perfect. Thank you for this video & your guidance in making it.

[renagilman]

The ah-ha moment! I found myself replaying sections to absorb the information. It's got to be the best youtube tutorial I've ever watched. Erin is passionate about pie crust and a gifted teacher.

[shanealexander]

She wrote The Book on Pie.... There really is no better endorsement. Erin, you are literally the goddess of baking.

[terryrobb]

I have watched this video over and over always fearful to try it. I have been intimated by pie crust my entire baking life. Today I took the leap and just did it step by step with Erin. I used the dough to make a Tortiere for an early Christmas luncheon and it not only turned out looking beautiful it was without a doubt the Best pie crust I have ever made or tasted. Rich and flaky and held its shape. I also used a baking stone in the oven and I do think it helped. Thank you Erin!! From a 72 year old baker who will now live making pies!!

[jojomarie]

This is the most comprehensive pie crust video I have ever seen. It has changed my pie making experience. I have your book and it's wonderful. I have been writing pie ideas because if I could eat anything in any way, it would be in a pie.

[elkewheeler]

I saved watching this until a Saturday, when I could savor each moment. I’m 3.5 minutes in and I’m already tingling with anticipation for not only this episode, but the ones that are forthcoming. I’ve said it before, and I’ve told all my friends...Erin Jeanne delivers a delicious masterclass to a hungry audience. For FREE. Buy her book, (if you have the funds) if only to show your appreciation. Three cheers for Erin!

[tutangcanja]

The masterclass form a great teacher. Distinct, articulate. Like gram by gram details...the lady with compassion. I never had watched such a detailed informative videos like this. If only I can like this videos for thousands times. God blesses you Erin😘😘 The passion lives on.

[olympiabee]

This is a Masterclass!!!! This has been an hour well spent! Erin, you're an EXCELLENT teacher.

[YasminAliyaKhan]

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve referred back to this video. It’s the best thing I’ve seen on YouTube.

[lizmiller]

Erin deserves her own show on TV! She’s definitely that good... 🥰
This is the most effective teaching I’ve ever experienced for making pie pastry. I can’t wait to try what I’ve learned. And, I can’t wait to see the next videos in this series. Thank you sooo much for this, Erin and Food 52.

[btwerdun]

Well....you sold me....I was about to give up trying to bake apple pies or any pie for that matter....Past 6 months I was just all over the place trying too many recipes....none worked for me...I just turned 74 and discovered your videos...YES my wife has ordered your book today for my B just can't wait for it....I hope that I can become a proficient pie baker....once I get your book....I feel like a kid again....waiting for your book to arrive with great anticipation...

[They_Call_Me_Mr_Breed]

Thank you so much. I just discovered your channel. I was what you call a problem child, so to keep me from acting like Dennis the menace and getting myself into trouble, my great-aunt's whom all helped to raise me, kept me inside with them a lot. They all were great cooks and bakers. So I got a kitchen education. I learned a lot from them, but my childhood sweetheart's grandmother taught me the most about cooking and baking. I had an accident in the late 1980s which left me with amnesia. While I did get most of my memories back, the skills I had in the kitchen didn't readily come back. Thank God for technology and tv shows and internet shows and people like yourself. I'm relearning so many things I'd forgotten and I'm learning new things thanks to you and and other cooks and bakers. You and your channel are a Godsend. My you continue to be blessed in everything you say and do. 😍🥰✌🏽🤟🏽🖖🏽

[shirleyflowers]

I have never had a crust roll out as nicely as this one did. Mine always would crack and split. I think I have always under hydrated the ingredients. I could actually pick it up like you did to flip it side to side or end over end. What a difference!!!! Thank you Erin, you're an amazing teacher.