Audrey's Beef Tallow Pie Crust

Honestly, this is something I think I’ve nearly perfected. Pies are one of my favorite things to bake. I’ve experimented with them a lot, but this recipe is so yummy and the ingredients are🤌🏼 I usually double the recipe so I have a thicker crust on top, plus I like a fully covered top. I usually have a little leftover crust for mini pies or galettes with this recipe 🤗 

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose organic flour 
• 4 tablespoons beef tallow 
• 2 teaspoons sugar 
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into cubes

Instructions:

I pulse the flour, tallow, sugar, vinegar, vanilla, and salt in my Kitchenaide until it looks like fine meal. I use the whisk attachment on my Kitchenaid for this. Add the butter and mix on medium high until it is in pea-size pieces (it takes longer than you think to get to this point). Sprinkle in 1/4 cup ice water and pulse until the dough begins to come together. Pinch the dough with your fingers, if it doesn't hold together, add up to 4 more tablespoons of ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix again. At this time I switch to the dough hook. Divide the dough in two and shape into discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator until firm, at least 1 hour but preferably overnight.

Use with whatever filling you desire inside! 

For apple filling (my fave) I use about 6 granny smith apples (I like to cut in pretty thick slices so they don’t get to mushy when I cook them down. Then I add 6 tbsp ish of, butter a little sugar 1/3 cup, lemon juice about 2 tbsp, a little bit of vanilla, cinnamon to taste, and flour for thickening. Just simmer in a pot on the stove and add other ingredients and flour until it thickens a bit. Store in the fridge overnight or until your dough is ready. 

Take the dough out of the fridge 1 hour before baking so it comes to room temp.  . Roll out one disc of dough on a floured surface and place gently into a buttered pie pan. Pour in cold filling from the fridge, then lay the pie crust on top and pinch crusts together using your knuckle around the sides. Beat 1 egg and use a pastry brush to lightly brush the surface. Then sprinkle granulated sugar all over the top and use a knife to slice a few air vents. 

Preheat oven to 425 and place a cookie sheet in to bake for 30 minutes. Set pie on baking sheet and reduce temp to 375. Bake 40 ish minutes. 

Always serve with vanilla ice cream😋