All about the dessert. Here's how to make a perfect pie crust.

Recipe by Sarah Weaver

The holidays are upon us, and if you’re like a lot of people, making a pie crust can be a little intimidating.

The good news is that it’s not as hard as you think.

Follow these steps to make the perfect crust for your holiday pie and click here to watch how I make it.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED

1/2 cup shortening or butter 

1 1/2 cups flour, plus 1/2 cup for surface 

1/2 tsp of salt 

1/2 cup ice cold water 

HOW TO MAKE IT

Start by adding flour and salt into a mixing bowl, mix together with fork; add shortening or butter.

Cut with pastry blender until shortening is about pea-size in form.

Add ice water (no ice) about 2 tbs at a time until dough is soft, not sticky. Flour your hands. Pull cold dough out into floured surface and roll into a circular shape about 1/2 inches thick.

Use pie pan to measure width.

Transfer crust into pan and trim, mold, shape as necessary.

Freeze, bake or use depending on type of pie you are making. 

Your cream pies will call for a baked crust. 

Fruit, pumpkin and buttermilk pies will need an uncooked shell. 

Freeze if making in advance.