Easy Italian Pie Crust Recipe

This Italian Pasta Frolla is the perfect base for any pie or tart. Made with butter and eggs, this flaky pie crust comes together in no time. The perfect pastry for pies, tarts and even simple cookies!

Easy Italian Pie Crust Recipe

I was always considered the pie maker in the family. I would use one of my Mom’s pie crust recipes, either her simple Homemade Pie Dough or a tasty Brown Sugar Pastry, both are very good.

I like how they are easy to come together and have a delicious taste.

But when I came to Italy I had the luck of trying the very popular Crostata, which is made with a Pasta Frolla – Italian Pie Crust.

A very popular filling that Italians like to fill their crust with is either a good store bought jam or Nutella.

How to make Italian Pie Crust

This pastry recipe can be made 3 ways, by hand, with a Food Processor or a Stand-Up Mixer. I prefer a food processor, but you decide.

• To start, whisk together the dry ingredients either in a large bowl, the bowl of the food processor or the bowl of a stand up mixer.
• Then add the egg and yolk and room temperature butter.

• Mix together, with either a fork, pulse or mix with the flat beater, until the dough is almost combined.

• Turn the mixture onto a slightly floured flat surface and gently work the mixture to form a soft dough.
• Wrap the pie crust in plastic and refrigerate for 30 – 60 minutes.
• It is then ready to use in your favourite pie or tart recipe.

What is the difference between Pasta Frolla and Pie Dough?

The main difference is eggs, Italian pastry crust has butter, an egg, an egg yolk and baking powder. Whereas American pie crust is all butter or a mixture of butter and shortening.

How to Store Italian Pie Dough

The pastry dough can be made in advance and kept refrigerated for up to 3 days. Make sure to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap before storing.

How to freeze Pie Crust

The dough can also be frozen, wrap in plastic and place in a freezer bag or an air tight container. It will keep in the freezer for about three months.

The dough should be thawed in the refrigerator, then roll it out as per your recipe instructions.

Adding different flavours to the Pie Crust

Italian pie crust is perfect for adding different flavours. Italians love to add orange or lemon zest to the dough. Or even  seeds of a vanilla bean or other spices such as cinnamon.

What can you make with Italian Pie Crust

• Homemade Italian Apple Crostata
• Peach Filled Italian Crostata Bars
• Italian Lemon Crostata
• Italian Blueberry Crostata
• Pistachio Ricotta Pie

Where did Pie originate?

Pie apparently was invented by the Romans. The first published pie was a “a rye-crusted goat cheese and honey pie”. Sounds interesting.

So if you would like a change from your regular Pie Dough then I hope you give this Italian Pie Crust or Pasta Frolla a try. Enjoy!

Easy Italian Pie Crust Recipe

Rosemary Molloy

This Italian Pasta Frolla is the perfect base for any pie or tart. Made with butter and eggs, this flaky pie crust comes together in no time.

5 from 10 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Chilling Time 30 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Course Desserts

Cuisine Italian

Servings 2 crusts

Calories 1061 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (195 grams)
• 1/2 cup sugar (100 grams)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup +2 tablespoon salted butter room temperature* (140 grams)

*If you use unsalted butter then add 2 pinches of salt.

Instructions

 

• Whisk together the flour, sugar and baking powder in either a large bowl, the bowl of the food processor or the bowl of a stand up mixer.  
• Add the egg and yolk and softened butter cut into pieces. Mix together, with either a fork, or pulse or mix with the flat beater, until the dough is almost combined.
• Turn the mixture onto a slightly floured flat surface and gently work the mixture to form a soft dough. Wrap the pie crust in plastic and refrigerate for 30 - 60 minutes before using. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 1061kcalCarbohydrates: 135gProtein: 16gFat: 52gSaturated Fat: 31gCholesterol: 302mgSodium: 445mgPotassium: 349mgFiber: 3gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 1667IUCalcium: 141mgIron: 6mg

Keyword brown sugar pie crust, pasta frolla, pie crust recipe, pie dough, shortcrust recipe

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