Nothing beats the aroma of fresh pie dough baking in the oven. But is handmade pie crust really superior than store-bought?
Overall, handmade pie crust is superior than store-bought. It’s flakier, more flavourful, and more tasty altogether. With a few basic materials and a little effort, you can create your own pie crust. A wonderful homemade pie crust that tastes better than storebought is simple to create.
In this essay, I’ll explain why you should use homemade pie crust instead of store-bought. By the end, I hope you’ll be persuaded that handmade pie crust is always the best option.
Contents
- 1 Is homemade pie crust healthier?
- 2 Why is homemade pie crust superior than store-bought?
- 3 Is It Worth Creating Your Own Pie Crust?
- 4 Is it less expensive to make a pie than to buy one?
- 5 Is it necessary to blind bake store-bought pie crust?
- 6 Why do store-bought pies taste so different from homemade pies?
- 7 What Are the Drawbacks of Home Baking?
Is homemade pie crust healthier?
In general, homemade pie crust is healthier than store-bought crust for a variety of reasons.
I’ve used Ceramic Pie Weights for as long as I can remember, and they’ve rescued my pie crusts on several times. As a general guideline, for every 9-inch pie, use around 2.2 pounds of pie weights. I use these Ceramic Pie Weights, which you can get on Amazon!
There are many causes for this:
It’s better for you.
Store-bought pie crusts can include harmful ingredients and preservatives. When you create your own pie crust, you know precisely what goes into it.
You can also regulate how much sugar and fat go into your pie crust, making it a better choice in general.
You Have Power Over The Ingredients
You know precisely what goes into your pie crust when you prepare it yourself. This is critical if you have dietary constraints or want to avoid particular components, such as gluten.
It’s More Delicious
The taste of homemade pie crust is deeper and more nuanced than store-bought. You may modify the ingredients to your liking, and the final result will be a lot more flavorful pie crust.
It is less expensive.
Creating your own pie crust is far less expensive than purchasing it pre-made. Most of the items you’ll need are probably already in your pantry.
The cost of a single box of pre-made dough is generally more than the cost of producing a single serving of dough at home.
That is new.
Homemade pie crust, unlike store-bought crusts that have been lying on a shelf for who knows how long, is fresh. This implies it will be more tasty, tender, and excellent overall!
It’s more enjoyable.
Creating your own pie crust is a gratifying and enjoyable experience! It’s a fun way to spend time in the kitchen, and you’ll feel good knowing you cooked your pie from scratch.
*By the way, I recently blogged on How To Use Pie Weights Correctly. In this post, I discuss how to properly utilize pie weights to get the right formed pie every time. This article may be found here!
Why is homemade pie crust superior than store-bought?
Since handmade pie dough is fresher, it tastes better than store-bought pie crust. The handmade crust has no additives such as preservatives, and you have complete control over the components you use, particularly because fresh butter adds to the flavor.
The fact that you will be utilizing fresh ingredients that you have carefully selected will result in a better and healthier product. However, store-bought pie crust has most likely been sitting on the shelf for quite some time, which degrades its taste.
While preparing pies, I always seek for Ceramic Pie Pans. I just discovered a Set of Two Ceramic Pie Pans for Baking that work great for making pies in the oven. On Amazon, you can get this Set of Ceramic Pie Pans!
When you create your own pie crust, you may add any flavor you desire. It is totally up to you whether you want a sweet or savory crust.
When you create your own pie crust, the options are unlimited!
For a more savory dough, use cold garlic butter instead of ordinary butter, cajun spices, and cheese; the possibilities are unlimited!
Is It Worth Creating Your Own Pie Crust?
As a general rule, it is well worth the effort to make handmade pie crust. It is healthier, tastier, less expensive, and more enjoyable to create than store-bought pie crust. Moreover, you get to choose what components to include, what flavors to use, and even which elements may be removed, such as gluten.
I always make my pie crust from scratch and have never been disappointed. And each time, I get to pick which ingredients to use and what taste to give my crust.
If you’ve never baked your own pie crust, I strongly advise you to do so. You’ll be shocked how simple it is to make and how much nicer it tastes than store-bought!
The nicest thing about creating homemade pie crust is that it can be made ahead of time.
By the way, I just published an article titled The Best Ways to Keep Pie Crusts from Shrinking. This article explains why your pie crusts can be shrinking and how to prevent it! This article may be found here!
When I have a get-together with friends and family, I prepare my pie crust a week or two ahead of time since it keeps well in the freezer!
I create 1-2 servings of pie dough and securely cover it in plastic wrap. Finally, as a precaution, I store the wrapped pie dough in an airtight container.
This is to prevent freezer burn and to keep the pie dough fresh until I need it.
Is it less expensive to make a pie than to buy one?
In general, buying a pie is generally less expensive than making one. Pies cost between $15 and $20 to produce, depending on the kind, but a prepackaged pie costs between $0.50 and $0.70 each slice. If you’re pressed for time, purchasing a ready-made pie is the way to go.
If you have the time, though, creating your own pie is the way to go. It’s worth noting that if you already have the ingredients for a pie, it’ll be much cheaper.
The cost of preparing a pie varies based on the components used, but making your own will undoubtedly save you money.
The price of the pie might vary depending on where you purchase it. Because of the reduced cost, purchasing it from a local grocery shop will most likely be less expensive than making your own pie.
Yet, whether you purchase from a big-name bakery or even a small bakery, it will almost always be far more costly. At that point, baking the pie at home would be less expensive.
Always choose what is most convenient for you, both in terms of time and money!
*Side Note: I just published an article on How to Repair and Avoid Cracked Pie Crusts. This article discusses how to prevent and repair pie crusts from breaking in the oven. This article may be found here!
Is it necessary to blind bake store-bought pie crust?
Overall, if you want a flaky, crispy pie crust, blind-bake your store-bought crust. Blind baking requires you to pre-bake the crust before adding the filling. This keeps the final product from becoming raw and contributes to a crispier crust.
To blind bake, line your pie dish with the crust and then cover with a layer of parchment paper. Bake the crust for 15 minutes after filling the parchment paper with dry beans or pie weights.
*Also, I just published an article on How To Make A Pie Without A Pie Pan. This article discusses all of the alternatives to a pie pan and what you should do differently with each one. This article may be found here!
weights, and then bake for another five minutes. Take out the parchment paper and the beans.
This may seem to be a lot of labor, but it is well worth the effort if you want a beautiful pie crust. And believe me when I say that your friends and family will be impressed that you went to the work of producing a handmade crust.
Why do store-bought pies taste so different from homemade pies?
The biggest difference between store-bought and handmade pies is that store-bought pies are processed goods. Since they are mass-produced, they must be manufactured using less expensive ingredients that can endure the manufacturing process. Preservatives may also have an effect on the flavor.
Homemade pies, on the other hand, are produced using fresh, high-quality ingredients. This makes a significant impact in terms of flavor, texture, and nutrients.
Preservatives and other chemicals in store-bought pies may also alter taste.
*By the way, I just published an article titled Which Oven Rack Should You Use To Make The Perfect Pie. This article explains what occurs when you bake a pie on each oven rack and why one is better than the others. This article may be found here!
What Are the Drawbacks of Home Baking?
The main disadvantage of doing your own baking is the time it takes. Making a pie from scratch might take many hours, but a readymade pie can be purchased at the shop. The whole procedure takes a few hours, from creating the dough to letting it rest in the refrigerator to making the filling.
If you want a flaky, crispy crust, making your own pie crust is the way to go. It may take a little more time, but it will be well worth it in the end.
Your baking talents will wow your friends and family, and you’ll be able to take satisfaction in knowing that you baked your pie from scratch. So, what are you holding out for? Start baking!
*You may also be interested in learning the true difference between a sweet potato pie and a pumpkin pie. I recently created an essay on their similarities and differences, as well as how to tell them differently!