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Home » Most Posts » Easy Italian Pie Crust Recipe

Easy Italian Pie Crust Recipe

Last Updated June 30, 2021. Published August 12, 2019 By Rosemary 11 Comments

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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!

Italian pie crust on a black board with a rolling pin, empty egg shells and butterEasy 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.

how to make pie crust with a food processor

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

pie crust dough mixed

  • 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.

dough ready to be wrapped with plastic

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.

Italian pie crust on a black board with a rolling pin, empty egg shells and butter

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!

pie crust on a black board

Italian pie crust on a black board with a rolling pin, empty egg shells and butter

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 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Chilling Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Desserts
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 crusts
Calories 1061 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 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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      Filed Under: Most Posts, Tarts & Pies

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      1. L says

        July 8, 2021 at 6:09 pm

        Hi Rosemary
        I only have unsalted butter,
        How much salt should I add to make it salted butter
        Or will it really make any difference in taste
        Thank you

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          July 8, 2021 at 8:45 pm

          Hi L, I would add a couple of pinches of salt, salt will help with the flavour if you use unsalted. Let me know how it goes.

          Reply
      2. Anna says

        May 29, 2021 at 7:03 am

        Can you tell how much butter do you use in grams for this receipe? Half of cup – its not clear for me. Thank you

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          May 29, 2021 at 8:17 am

          Hi Anna, sorry about that I forgot to do the butter, so it would be 140 grams. Let me know how it goes. Have a great weekend.

          Reply
      3. Vanessa says

        August 13, 2020 at 11:54 pm

        5 stars
        I love making this pie so much!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          August 14, 2020 at 10:09 am

          Hi Vanessa, thanks so much, so glad you like it.

          Reply
          • Yoshi says

            February 17, 2021 at 8:28 am

            What heat should the oven be and how long is the baking time ?

          • Rosemary says

            February 17, 2021 at 4:41 pm

            Hi Yoshi, well if you make this recipe with the dough. https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/crostata-italian-pie/ or you can bake it at 350F (180C) for about 20-25 minutes. Hope that helps.

      4. Katalin Anna Tóth says

        April 15, 2020 at 7:18 pm

        5 stars
        Dear Rosemary, it was perfect and delicius 🙂 Thank you very much!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          April 15, 2020 at 7:50 pm

          Thank Katalin, glad you enjoyed it. Take care.

          Reply
        • Yoshi says

          February 17, 2021 at 8:34 am

          What was the temp you preheated the oven too and how long was the baking time and at what temperature?

          Reply

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