Easiest Way to Make Pie

I love pie, but I have never cared for the standing and the effort to make pies, so for years, my pie-making efforts were few and far between. I had a good recipe and could make wonderfully flaky dough, but still it always seemed like too much work.

Many would agree that while pies are delicious, making them can be a bit of a marathon. Even if you are skilled at making flaky crust, in order to produce a homemade pie, you have to make the filling and then you have to mix your pie dough, then roll it out, then cut it... enough to choke a horse, right?

Many cooks find standing for long periods challenging, and they may feel that having to make both filling and pie crust in one session seems rather daunting. The reality? Homemade pie becomes a distant memory or one settles for store-bought, which is never quite as good.

I've come up with a easy method and am sharing with readers. You can have pie crust at the ready any time you have a hankering for pie--and even better, you will have enough dough for a number of pies. It doesn't get much better than this.

Thinking outside the box can make a huge difference when it comes to doing something in a totally different way. Using this method, popping a pie in the oven becomes almost effortless.

Okay, so how the heck can you have pie when you want it, without all the work? You simply prepare a large batch of pie dough (enough for 5-6 pies) ahead of time, shape it into palm-sized balls, and then freeze the pie balls.

Pie dough keeps remarkably well and it is a simple matter to take out a pie ball to defrost prior to rolling out the dough for a pie. Defrosting takes just minutes and you can set your pie ball on a plate to soften while you prepare your filling mixture.

1. You'll need a good, dependable recipe for pie crust that makes enough for 4-8 pies.
2. Use a large bowl for mixing ingredients.
3. Make sure your lard is soft prior to cutting into flour mixture.
4. Once you've made your pie dough you should divide it into 6-8 portions and shape these into palm-sized balls.
5. Wrap each ball of pie dough in plastic wrap and place in a bag or place each ball in its own bag and store bags in a larger bag and put in freezer.

Each time you have a hankering for pie, simply bring out a pie ball to defrost, then roll it out on a floured counter to desired size/thickness, roll it up around your rolling pin and unroll it over the top of your pie plate. Easy-peasy.

A fluted pie plate takes the work out of trying to shape your pie edging. You simply add your pie dough and smooth it over the edges.

I have one of these and wish I'd gotten one years ago. I find that the pie does not stick to the surface of this pie plate and cooks evenly.

What a great time-saving idea.

Once you try this pie-making trick, you'll never go back to the old method of making ingredients and dough in one session. This is truly the quintessential lazy man's way to make pie.