I finally settled the butter vs shortening debate in pie crusts after 4 Thanksgivings

Butter gave me better flavor but shortening made the crust flakier every time, which do you prioritize when texture and taste are on opposite sides?

2 comments

2 Comments

angela431mo ago

3 pies into my own testing I landed on half butter half shortening. The butter gives you that rich taste in every bite while the shortening keeps the layers from collapsing into a soggy mess. It's not perfect but it gets you 90% of the way there without having to pick one or the other.

claire_butler11mo ago

Yeah I've been down that exact road and the half and half ratio is honestly the sweet spot. The trick is to keep everything ice cold especially when you're cutting that shortening in so the layers don't meld together before they hit the oven. It's not flashy but it's reliable and that's what matters when you're feeding people.