11 Comments
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Caroline Kosaka's avatar

I’ve been using a similar recipe using vodka as part of the liquid for years. It makes a lovely pie crust that’s easy to handle. No worries about too much gluten formation. Watch your fingers when grating frozen butter!

Betty Williams's avatar

Now isn’t this the truth? Grating anything can be hazardous but especially frozen butter! I finally got an attachment for my stand mixer (which, BTW, I got at a garage sale for $25 - amazing!). So that grating attachment has been a lifesaver!

Caroline Kosaka's avatar

I’ve tried using my food processor with a grating disc to grate the frozen butter but it seems messy and incomplete besides the extra cleanup. I might try my Japanese slicer/shredder but still there’s the clean up…

Betty Williams's avatar

Omg, yes, the cleanup!

Aki moroto's avatar

Wo! These techniques are new to me, and they all make sense!! Vodka instead of water to minimize glutens forming, and freezing/grating butter is genius!! Thanks for your inspiration, Betty!!

Betty Williams's avatar

I wish I had thought of it myself. Thanks to Cooks Ilustrated for teaching how to do this!

Aki moroto's avatar

Awesome, regardless, thank you for sharing the knowledge-

Elizabeth Pizzinato's avatar

Love the idea of batch preparation, Betty. I will often have one half of double crust pie dough recipe in the freezer but this is even better. Time to get the vodka out! 💕

Betty Williams's avatar

Yes, it really is a life-saver sometimes!

Sheryl O'Connell's avatar

I am definitely trying this! I never heard of this method before.

Betty Williams's avatar

Thank you and hope you love it!