How to Make Fresh Milled Pie Crust From Scratch with Spelt

Ready to learn how to make fresh milled pie crust from scratch with spelt flour? This fresh milled pie crust recipe is light, flakey, buttery, and delicious! The perfect pie crust for any pie!

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How to Make Fresh Milled Pie Crust from Scratch

Making a pie crust from scratch can seem intimidating at first, but the key to a good, flakey fresh milled pie crust is cold butter and not overworking the dough. This spelt pie crust is great for fruit pies, pot pies, chocolate pies, you name it! The process is simple, trust me. You’ll get the hang of making fresh milled pie crust from scratch in no time!

Health Benefits of Spelt

• Less gluten – While spelt contains gluten, it is less gluten than modern varieties. The gluten is more delicate and could be dissolved in water, making it easier to digest. Some people with gluten sensitivities find spelt a much easier grain to digest.
• Lowers Cholesterol – Studies have proven that spelt can lower cholesterol and promotes a healthy cardiovascular system. The magnesium in spelt lowers the risk of developing a heart disease.
• Boosts Immune System – The combination of vitamins and minerals including zinc in spelt grain boosts the immune system and healthy energy levels.
• Fiber – Spelt is a great source of fiber. Fiber is necessary for digestive health, regular bowel movements, and detoxing the body on a regular basis.
• Protein – Compared to other grains, spelt is a great source of protein. It helps you to feel fuller and more satiated after eating it.

Everything You Need to Know About Spelt (And Why You Need to Eat It)

Mill Your Own Flour

Fresh milled flour is a wonderful and delicious way to add nutritious value to your baked goods. Wheat berries that are milled fresh before baking contain their full amount of vitamins and minerals, plus the bran and germ remain in the flour and become an excellent source of fiber. Want to jump into the world of fresh milled flour? It all starts with a grain mill!

Tips for Making a Fresh Milled Pie Crust

• Instead of using a pastry cutter to cut the cold butter into pea size bits, grate the cold sticks of butter on a cheese grater. You could even freeze your sticks of butter and then grate it.
• The key to a flakey crust is COLD butter! This is why it is important to start with cold or frozen butter, limit the use of your warm hands, and incorporate ice water, not room temperature water.
• Do not overwork your pie dough. Pie dough does not need to be kneaded like bread dough in order to come together. Incorporate the butter and ice water with a knife, and then press the dough together just enough to form a ball. Work quickly so that the butter doesn’t get too warm.

Ingredients for Spelt Pie Crust

• 325 g spelt
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 sticks of cold, shredded butter
• 9-10 tbsp ice water

Equipment for Spelt Pie Crust

• Mixing bowl
• Cheese grater
• Rolling pin
• Pie dish

How to Make Fresh Milled Pie Crust from Scratch

• Weigh your spelt berries and mill the flour.
• Combine flour, honey, salt, and cold, shredded butter. Mix with a fork until the butter is pea-sized and well incorporated.
• Add in the ice water one tablespoon at a time and continue to mix with a fork.

• Add just enough water (9-10 tbsp approximately) until you can squeeze the dough together and it sticks. If it crumbles, add another tablespoon of water.
• Once the dough can squeeze together, form a ball of dough. Work quickly so that the butter doesn’t get too warm and do not overwork the dough.

• Place ball of dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.
• Cut in half and roll out each half in a circle to make the top and bottom of the pie.
• Press one circle into the bottom of the pie dish and gently poke a few holes on the bottom of the crust.

• Add your pie filling and lay the other circle of pie crust on top.
• Press the two pie crusts together around the edge of the pie to seal it and cut some small slits at the top so that steam can be released.
• Depending on the filling, bake approximately 20-25 minutes.

Storage of Pie Crust

• Balls of pie dough wrapped completely in plastic wrap should be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
• Freeze pie dough by wrapping the dough completely in plastic wrap, placing in a plastic bag, and freezing for up to 6 months. Thaw at room temperature before rolling and baking.
• Once a pie is baked, wrap the pie pan in plastic wrap to keep the dough from going stale.

FAQ

If my pie dough cracks while I’m putting it in my pie dish, how do I fix it? Dip your finger in ice water and press the crack back together. The water acts as a glue.

Why do I only add the water 1 tbsp at a time? It is important that the dough is not too wet or else it will become dense when baked. Adding 1 tbsp and mixing in between will ensure that you can reach the perfect consistency: just wet enough to come together and form a ball.

Learning how to make fresh milled pie crust from scratch with spelt flour elevates any of your favorite pie recipes! This fresh milled pie crust is buttery and light, the perfect crust for any filling!

Milling Your Own Grain

• 

  All About Spelt and Why You Should Use It
• 

  How to Clean the NutriMill Impact Grain Mill
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  A Grain Mill Buyer’s Guide For Beginners