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Our Favourite Pie Dough

This reliable homemade pie dough is a versatile essential for any home baker’s repertoire. By using chilled butter and a touch of apple cider vinegar, the pastry achieves a beautifully flaky texture and a rich, buttery flavour that far surpasses shop-bought alternatives. It is the perfect foundation for everything from seasonal fruit galettes to savoury vegetarian quiches.

Designed for convenience, this vegetarian-friendly dough can be prepared in advance and kept in the fridge or freezer. Using a food processor ensures the butter stays cold during mixing, which is the secret to a light, crisp crust. Whether you are planning a Sunday lunch centrepiece or a classic dessert, this consistent recipe provides a professional finish every time.

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Ingredients for Our Favourite Pie Dough

  • 325g plain flour

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 2 sticks (16 tablespoons ) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and frozen for 15 minutes

  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, chilled

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter and pulse until coarse, pea-sized crumbs appear, about 10 seconds. With the machine running, add vinegar and 60ml ice water and process until the dough just holds together, about 30 seconds. Squeeze a small amount of dough between your fingers and if it is very crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time (2 tablespoons maximum). Do not over process.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and push together into a rough ball. Knead a few times to combine, then divide into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc with smooth edges (no cracks), cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to overnight.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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