FLAKY CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

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This is my favorite pie crust. It took several years and over fifty tries to get it just right and is the soul of this book. It is unlike any other cream cheese pie crust because, in addition to being tender, it is also flaky. In fact, it is very similar in texture to almost as flaky but a little softer and more tender, and it browns more when baked, resulting in a rich golden color.

Provided by Rose Levy Beranbaum

Categories     Food Processor     Freeze/Chill     Pastry     Pie     Quick & Easy

Number Of Ingredients 24

Pastry for a 9-inch pie shell or a 9 1/2- or 10- by 1-inch tart shell
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
1 cup + 1 tablespoon pastry flour or 1 cup (dip and sweep method) bleached all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt (for savory recipes, use 1 1/2 times the salt)
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup cream cheese, cold
1 tablespoon ice water
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
Pastry for a 9-inch lattice pie, a 9-inch deep-dish pie, a 10-inch pie shell, or a 12- to 14-inch free-form tart
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
1 1/3 cups + 4 teaspoons pastry flour or 1 1/3 cups (dip and sweep method) bleached all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt (for savory recipes, use 1 1/2 times the salt)
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
one 3-ounce package cream cheese, cold
1 1/2 tablespoons ice water
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
Pastry for a two-crust 9-inch pie
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
2 cups + 3 tablespoons pastry flour or 2 cups (dip and sweep method) bleached all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt (for savory recipes, use 1 1/2 times the salt)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 3-ounce packages cream cheese, cold
2 tablespoons ice water
1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Steps:

  • Food processor method:
  • Cut the butter into small (about 3/4-inch) cubes. Wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it until frozen solid, at least 30 minutes. Place the flour, salt, and baking powder in a reclosable gallon-size freezer bag and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
  • Place the flour mixture in a food processor with the metal blade and process for a few seconds to combine. Set the bag aside.
  • Cut the cream cheese into 3 or 4 pieces and add it to the flour. Process for about 20 seconds or until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the frozen butter cubes and pulse until none of the butter is larger than the size of a pea. (Toss with a fork to see it better.) Remove the cover and add the water and vinegar. Pulse until most of the butter is reduced to the size of small peas. The mixture will be in particles and will not hold together. Spoon it into the plastic bag. (For a double-crust pie, it is easiest to divide the mixture in half at this point.)
  • Holding both ends of the bag opening with your fingers, knead the mixture by alternately pressing it, from the outside of the bag with the knuckles and heels of your hands until the mixture holds together in one piece and feels slightly stretchy when pulled.
  • Wrap the dough with the plastic wrap, flatten it into a disc (or discs) and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, preferably overnight. (For a pie shell and lattice, divide it in a ratio of two thirds:one third - use about 9.5 ounces for the shell and the rest for the lattice, flattening the smaller part into a rectangle.)
  • Hand method:
  • Place a medium mixing bowl in the freezer to chill.
  • Cut the butter into small (about 3/4-inch) cubes. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
  • Place the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add the cream cheese and rub the mixture between your fingers to blend the cream cheese into the flour until it resembles coarse meal. Spoon the mixture, together with the cold butter, into a reclosable gallon-size freezer bag. Expel any air from the bag and close it. Use a rolling pin to flatten the butter into thin flakes. Place the bag in the freezer for at least 10 minutes or until the butter is very firm.
  • Transfer the mixture to the chilled bowl, scraping the sides of the bag. Set the bag aside. Sprinkle the mixture with the water and vinegar, tossing lightly with a rubber spatula. Spoon it into the plastic bag. (For a two-crust pie, it is easiest to divide the mixture in half at this point.)
  • Holding both ends of the bag opening with your fingers, knead the mixture by alternately pressing it, from the outside of the bag, with the knuckles and heels of your hands until the mixture holds together in one piece and feels slightly stretchy when pulled.
  • Wrap the dough with plastic wrap, flatten it into a disc (or discs), and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, preferably overnight. (For a pie shell and lattice, divide it in a ratio of two thirds:one third - use about 9.5 ounces for the shell and the rest for the lattice, flattening the smaller part into a rectangle.)
  • Store:
  • Refrigerated, up to 2 days; frozen, up to 3 months.
  • Understanding
  • A classic cream cheese crust contains no water and is more tender than an all-butter crust but not at all flaky. I have found it to be so tender it is impossible to use for a lattice top and the bottom crust often develops cracks through which a filling will leak and stick to the bottom of the pan. Very little water is needed, because the cream cheese contains 51 percent water. The addition of a small amount of water connects the two gluten-forming proteins in the flour, producing the rubbery, stretchy gluten that strenghtens the structure just enough to prevent cracking when the crust bakes. This pie crust does not shrink or distort as much as an all-butter crust because there is less development of gluten. The acidity of the vinegar weakens the gluten that forms, making the crust still more tender and less likely to shrink. If desired, it can be replaced with water.
  • Cream cheese is 51 percent water and 37.7 percent fat, so 3 ounces contain 1.53 ounces (about 3 tablespoons) or water and 1.13 ounces of fat. That means that the pie crust with 6.5 ounces of flour contains the equivalent of about 4 1/2 tablespoons of water. Compared to the all-butter crust, this crust has about 1 tablespoon more water, 1.13 ounces more of fat, and .34 ounce more milk solids. The extra fat in the cream cheese coats some of the proteins in the flour, limiting the development of gluten, which would make it tougher. The milk solids add both flavor and smoothness of texture.
  • The baking powder lifts and aerates the dough slightly without weakening it, but it also makes it seem more tender.
  • In developing this recipe, I found that if not using the vinegar and baking powder to tenderize the crust, it is advisable to add one quarter of the butter together with the cream cheese when using all-purpose flour. This helps to moisture-proof it but, of course, takes away a little from the flakiness, as there is less butter available to add in larger pieces to create layers.

Abeni Man
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I can't wait to try this recipe. It looks delicious!


Da_Homie _Ghost
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This is the best pie crust recipe I've ever used. It's so easy to make and it always turns out perfect.


Ali Shaa
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I love that this recipe uses cream cheese. It gives the pie crust a richness and flavor that you can't get from other recipes.


Mary McGhee
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This pie crust is the perfect balance of flaky and tender. It's a dream to work with.


Ariah Gillispie
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I've been using this recipe for years and it never fails me. It's always a hit with my guests.


Andiswa Bokota
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This is a great recipe for a beginner baker. It's easy to follow and the results are delicious.


Juhel Ahmed
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I highly recommend this recipe to anyone who loves pie.


mim khan
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This pie crust is flaky and delicious. It's the perfect addition to any pie.


Mishal Chaudhry
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I'm so glad I found this recipe. It's the best cream cheese pie crust I've ever had.


zishan shah g
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This recipe is a lifesaver! I used to be intimidated by making pie crust, but this recipe makes it so easy.


Rocky hasan
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I've made this pie crust several times now and it's always a hit with my family and friends.


Ali _Malik
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I love how versatile this pie crust is. You can use it for sweet or savory pies, and it always turns out perfect.


Debra Curnock
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This pie crust is amazing! It's so easy to work with and doesn't shrink or crack in the oven.


Elsie Jelimo
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I've tried many pie crust recipes over the years, but this one is by far the best. The cream cheese makes it so tender and flavorful.


Xzavier Lilly
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This cream cheese pie crust recipe is a game-changer! It's so easy to make and creates the flakiest, most delicious pie crust you'll ever taste.