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There is nothing like the smell of fresh pie crust baking in the oven. But is homemade pie crust really better than store-bought?
As a whole, homemade pie crust is better than store-bought. It’s flakier, more flavorful, and overall more delicious. It’s not difficult to make your own pie crust with just a few simple ingredients and a little time. You can easily make a delicious homemade pie crust that’s better than storebought.
In this article, I will give you reasons why you might want to opt for homemade pie crust over store-bought. By the end, I hope you will be convinced that homemade is always the way to go when it comes to pie crust.
Is Homemade Pie Crust Better For You?
Generally speaking, there are several different reasons why homemade pie crust is better for you than the store-bought crust.
I’ve been using Ceramic Pie Weights for as long as I could remember and it saved my pie crusts on so many occasions. As a general rule, you should use about 2.2 lbs of pie weights for every 9-inch pie you make. I use these Ceramic Pie Weights that you can check out on Amazon!
There are a few reasons why:
It Is Healthier
Store-bought pie crusts often contain unhealthy additives and preservatives. When you make your own pie crust, you know exactly what ingredients are going into it.
You can also control the amount of sugar and fat that goes into your pie crust, making it a healthier option overall.
You Can Control The Ingredients
When you make your own pie crust, you know exactly what is going into it. This is important if you have dietary restrictions or are trying to avoid certain ingredients, such as gluten.
It Tastes Better
Homemade pie crust has a richer, more complex flavor than store-bought. You can adjust the seasonings to suit your taste, and the end result will be a pie crust that is far superior in flavor.
It’s Cheaper
Making your own pie crust is much cheaper than buying it pre-made. You likely already have most of the ingredients you need on hand.
The amount you spend on a single package of pre-made dough is usually more than just making a single serving of dough at home.
It Is Fresh
Unlike store-bought crusts that have been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long, homemade pie crust is fresh. This means it will be more flavorful, tender, and overall more delicious!
It’s More Fun
Making your own pie crust is a fun and rewarding experience! It’s a great way to spend some time in the kitchen, and you’ll be able to take pride in knowing that you made your pie from scratch.
*By the way, I recently wrote about How To Effectively Use Pie Weights The Right Way. In this article, I speak about how to use pie weights correctly to get the perfect shaped pie every time. You can check out this article here!
Why Does Homemade Pie Crust Taste Better Than Store-Bought?
Generally speaking, homemade pie crust tastes better than store-bought pie crust because it is fresher. The homemade crust has no additives such as preservatives, and you have full control over what ingredients you want to use especially with the use of fresh butter than contributes to the taste.
The fact that you will be using fresh ingredients carefully handpicked by you will result in a tastier and healthier product. Note also that store-bought pie crust has probably been on the shelf for quite some time, which affects its flavor negatively.
I usually specifically look for Ceramic Pie Pans when baking pies. I recently came across a Set of Two Ceramic Pie Pans for Baking that work perfectly for baking pies in the oven with no problem. You can check out this Set of Ceramic Pie Pans on Amazon!
When you make pie crust at home, you also get to add whatever flavor you want. Whether you want a sweet or savory crust, it is entirely up to you.
The possibilities are endless when you make your pie crust from scratch!
For a more savory dough, you can have different additions like cold garlic butter instead of regular butter, cajun seasonings, and cheese, the options are endless!
It Is Worth Making Homemade Pie Crust?
As a general rule, it is definitely worth making homemade pie crust. It is healthier, tastier, cheaper, and more fun to make than store-bought pie crust. Plus, you get to decide what to include in the ingredients and what flavor you want and even control what ingredients can be omitted, like gluten.
I always make my pie crust from scratch, and I have never regretted it. And each time, I get to choose what ingredients I want to use and what flavor I want my crust to have.
If you have never made your pie crust from scratch, I urge you to try it. You will be surprised at how easy it is and how much better it tastes than store-bought!
The best part about making pie crust from scratch is that you can make it in advance.
*Side Note: You might also be interested in knowing Why Is Apple Pie Served With Cheese. I recently wrote this article breaking down the origin of cheese on apple pie as well as great alternatives to use instead of cheese. You can check out this article here!
Whenever I’m planning a get-together with friends and family, I make my pie crust a week or two in advance because it is very stable in the freezer!
I make 1-2 servings of pie dough and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Then, I like to take extra precautions and place the wrapped pie dough in an airtight container.
This is to ensure the pie dough doesn’t get freezer burned and stays fresh until I need to use it.
Is It Cheaper To Make A Pie Or Buy A Pie?
As a general rule, it is usually cheaper to buy a pie than it is to make one. Pies cost around $15 to $20 to make, depending on which you’re making, while you can buy a premade pie for $0.50 to $0.70 per slice. If you are short on time, buying a premade pie is the way to go.
However, if you have the time, making your own pie is the way to go. Note that if you already have the ingredients you need to make a pie, it will be even cheaper.
The cost of making a pie varies depending on the ingredients you use, but you can definitely save money by making your own.
Depending on where you’re buying the pie from generally can vary in price. If you’re buying it from a local grocery store, it’ll most likely be cheaper than baking your own pie because of the generally lower cost.
However, if you’re buying from a big-name bakery or even a local bakery, most of the time it’ll be much more expensive. At that point, it would be cheaper to just bake the pie at home.
Always go with what is convenient for you, both timewise and cost-wise!
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article about How To Fix & Prevent Cracked Pie Crusts. This article talks about how to prevent pie crusts from cracking in the oven as well as how to fix it. You can check out this article here!
Do You Have To Blind Bake Store-Bought Pie Crust?
As a whole, if you want a flaky, crispy pie crust, you will need to blind-bake your store-bought crust. Blind baking means that you will need to pre-bake the crust before adding your filling. This prevents the final product from being raw and helps achieve a crispier crust.
To blind bake, line your pie dish with the crust and then place a sheet of parchment paper over the top. Fill the parchment paper with dried beans or pie weights, then bake the crust for 15 minutes.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about How To Bake A Pie Without A Pie Pan. This article talks about all the substitutes you can use instead of a pie pan and what you should do differently with each substitute. You can check out this article here!
Remove the parchment paper and beans/weights and then bake for an additional five minutes.
This may seem like a lot of work, but it is worth it if you want a perfect pie crust. And trust me, your friends and family will be impressed that you went through the trouble of making a homemade crust.
Why Do Pies From The Store Taste So Different From Homemade Pies?
The main reason store-bought pies taste different from homemade pies is that store-bought pies are processed foods. They are mass-produced and therefore have to be made with cheaper ingredients that can withstand the production process. Also, the addition of preservatives may affect the taste.
In contrast, homemade pies are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. This makes a big difference in taste, texture, and nutrition.
Store-bought pies also often contain preservatives and other additives, which can affect flavor.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article about Which Oven Rack Should You Use To Bake A Perfect Pie. This article breaks down what happens when you bake a pie in all the oven racks and why one might be better than the others. You can check out this article here!
What Are The Disadvantages Of Home Baking?
Generally speaking, the major drawback of home baking is the time it takes. Baking a pie from scratch can take several hours, whereas you can buy a premade pie in the store. From making the dough to letting it rest in the refrigerator, and making the filling, the whole process is over a few hours.
Making your own pie crust is definitely the way to go if you want a flaky, crispy crust. It may take some extra time, but it is well worth it in the end.
Your friends and family will be impressed with your baking skills, and you’ll be able to take pride in knowing that you made your pie from scratch. So what are you waiting for? Get baking!
*By the way, you might also want to know What’s The Real Difference Between A Sweet Potato Pie and A Pumpkin Pie. I recently wrote an article that explains Their Similarities and Differences and how to tell them apart!
