Pie Crust - Freeze Dough prior to rolling out?

Question

I'm going to be making the pie crust dough over the next few weeks in preparation for a baking night at church, so I want to freeze the dough individually in plastic, will that work? I know you can buy frozen pie crust, but how does it work for homemade dough?

Answer 1

I'd go with the Alton Brown-based method. It comes with its own storage device and makes life easy and neat for rolling out.

Prepare your dough. Cut off enough for each layer of crust you want. Roll into a ball and flatten slightly. Insert into a gallon zipper freezer bag and store in a freezer.

When ready to use, allow to soften a bit, cut open the sides of the bag and then peel the top of the bag away from the dough - keeping the dough still sitting on the bottom half of the bag. Sprinkle flour on the top and then close and flip the bag over and repeat for the bottom.

Flip the bag back over the dough and then just roll out while still covered with the bag. Peel back the top of the bag again and then lift the dough, bag and all, onto the pan - exposed side down. Once positioned, just peel the bag away from the dough and trim the edges.

Very little cleanup involved and you have a pre-made made storage device for your dough.

Note - You can also place a cookie sheet in the refrigerator. If the dough gets too warm while you work with it, just place the sheet on top of the dough for a couple minutes

Answer 2

Roll them out and trim them to about the size you need.
I would line a cold cookie sheet with plastic wrap. It works better if you use wax paper or parchment paper to separate the different layers or pie crust. I would not roll it or fold it as it will leave creases. Then cover the top pie crust and the cookie sheet with plastic wrap and pop it in the freezer until you need it.
When you are baking, just do not let the dough get too warm as the butter will start to melt too much too soon and the crust will not be as flaky.

Answer 3

No, don't freeze it. Most dough will last for a while just being refrigerated. Easiest way to do it is make dough according to recipe and place in ziploc baggies. label with single or double pie crust. Also lightly flouring the bag works very well. Good luck.

Answer 4

you can freeze pie crusts if you want them fresh instead of the frozen ones. it will taste better. Plastic wrap is great, have a great time with your pies I am sure they will be great.

Answer 5

yes, you can make ahead and then freeze it, just make balls of dough and freeze them then when you need them thaw and roll out...