Make Homemade Pie Crust Taste Gourmet With A Splash Of This Baking Staple

Holiday season or otherwise, there's one inevitable pie-making question: Will you make your crust from scratch, or will you go with store-bought? There's no wrong answer, but if you choose the former, now is a good time to do some research so you're not left crustless the night before a celebration. Making pie crust from scratch can be tricky, especially if you've never made one, but once you have all the fail-proof tips memorized, you can get creative with your base recipe. If you're ready to give your pie crust an upgrade, consider adding a splash of vanilla for a subtle yet impactful boost.

From crème brûlée to booze-free risotto, high-quality vanilla extract has the power to elevate a wide range of dishes, including pie crust. Not only does it add a lovely scent to the dough, but, much like salt, it acts as a flavor amplifier. When you add it to your pie — whether it be apple, pumpkin, pecan, or peach — vanilla extract's toastiness helps brings out all those warming spices and complements them with a bit of creamy sweetness. 

To add a subtle hint of vanilla extract to your pie crust, simply swap one teaspoon of your dough's ice water with one teaspoon of vanilla extract. Because vanilla extract contains water, deducting the same amount of ice water keeps the liquid ratio balanced, ensuring that your dough doesn't get sticky or shrink during baking. You'll be left with a delicious, delicately fragrant crust that's perfect for any occasion.

If you like adding vanilla extract to your pie crust, you might want to try some other flavoring tips to take your pie crust to the next level. However, don't just add any old ingredient you have in your kitchen because it sounds good; first, ensure that whatever you add doesn't distract from the flavors in the pie. Just like with vanilla extract, whatever you add should enhance the pie's flavors, not bury them.

One of the best ingredients to flavor a pie crust is citrus zest. Whether you go with lemon, orange, or even lime, a bit of zest adds just the right amount of zing to complement your pie's flavor profile. Simply rub a tablespoon or so into the sugar or salt that'll go into your crust, and then incorporate it into the rest of the dough. This ensures that the zest is evenly incorporated throughout the pie crust. Whatever you decide, make sure the citrus also pairs well with the filling. Orange zest goes great in pumpkin pie, for instance, as it helps brighten the pumpkin's earthy flavors. Lemon zest is instead perfect for peach pie, since it helps balance out the peach's sweetness.

In addition to citrus zest, herbs and spices can also elevate a simple pie crust. From cinnamon to thyme to sage, these additions can give your pie crust a real edge, depending on what you're serving. Just remember that less is more — one or two teaspoons is often plenty. Start experimenting now so that when the time comes for baking, you'll have perfected your pie crust.