Shortening is not the only fat that can be used in baking a pie. Butter or lard can also be used but the same secret exists for the perfect crust -- cold ingredients. When blending the butter into the mix, first cut it into small pieces. You can also freeze the butter and then grate it into the mix with a cheese grater.

All-purpose flour is not the only flour that can be used in making your dough, either. Unbleached, cake or pastry flour can be used instead, which creates a tender pie crust. You can make your own pastry flour by putting one tablespoon of cornstarch in the bottom of a measuring cup for every one cup of all-purpose flour you measure.

You can also create a more tender crust by refrigerating the pie dough overnight or for several hours before baking.

Cooling is another important step in baking a great pie. Wire racks are best for cooling pies as they allow the air to circulate. This prevents the pie from becoming soggy.

Apple Pie Recipe

So now that you have the perfect crust, how about a tasty pie recipe? Apple pie is an all-time American classic. For a basic apple pie filling, you will need the following ingredients:

About 5 to 6 cups of any variety of apple you like, cut into thin slices

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

3 tablespoons flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg