Pie season is officially here! Whether you’re cooking up your favorite apple pie after hours at the orchard, putting your fall pumpkins to good use, or scrambling to make the best pecan pie your family has ever had, one shortcut could save you a lot of time.
Of course, making everything from scratch has its perks, but sometimes that just isn’t in the cards. Store-bought pie crust can take some of the work off your plate while still delivering a picture-worthy result. That said, not all pie crusts deserve a spot on your holiday table. We asked four chefs which store-bought options they recommend for home bakers. Here’s what they said.
Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust
LarryHerfindal – Getty Images
Overall, the chefs we spoke with recommend Pillsbury when you need a store-bought pie crust. Yohann Le Bescond, executive pastry chef at World Equestrian Center, shares, “For home bakers looking for a convenient shortcut, Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts are a practical option.” He explains that the dough comes rolled and ready to use, but you can still shape it to fit your own pie dish and add a personal touch with unique edges or a lattice top.
Compared with frozen crusts, he finds Pillsbury’s version easier to handle and less prone to breaking. Let it soften for about 10 minutes before using it, and don’t overstretch the dough.
Chef Becky Geisel of BEX Catering & Events also recommends Pillsbury when you’re in a pinch. Chef Dennis Littley agrees, preferring the rolled dough over frozen pie shells.
“Pillsbury’s refrigerated crust is also convenient and dependable,” he shares. “It saves the time involved in making pastry from scratch while still allowing me to shape the crust to suit the pie I’m preparing. That’s what sets it apart for me.”
Another pro tip? Pop your crust in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes before filling it to help preserve its shape, Le Bescond suggests.
Immaculate Baking Pie Crusts
Chef and author Victoria Granof swears by Immaculate Baking’s ready-to-bake pie crusts, which come with two rolled-out crusts in a box. “With Immaculate Baking pie crust, you could seriously pass that off as your own,” she shares.
She praises the crust’s flaky texture, and it’s also sold at Whole Foods Market. If you can’t get your hands on it, Granof puts Trader Joe’s pie crusts in a close second place for their convenience and flakiness.
You Might Also Like
Dining and Cooking