Room 189'S Pie Crust
A versatile homemade pie crust paired with a colorful, candy-like fruit decoration, perfect for festive occasions or elegant desserts that appeal to both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine sugar, water and cream of tartar in a heavy 1 1/2-quart saucepan.
- Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture boils.
- Cook without stirring to soft ball stage (240°).
- Immediately pour onto a platter without scraping the pan.
- Cool until candy feels only slightly warm to the touch, about 30 minutes; do not move.
- Using a wooden spoon, scrape candy from edge of platter toward center, then work until creamy and stiff.
- Knead until smooth and free from lumps.
- Wrap and place in a covered container to ripen for 24 hours.
- Warm the ripened mixture in a bowl over hot water and work to a smooth cream for about 2 minutes, adding a few drops of water if needed.
- Work in almond paste until smooth.
- Place in a bowl and cover with a dampened cloth; let ripen several hours.
- Divide the mixture into parts; tint to desired colors with red, yellow, or green food coloring.
- Shape into fruits as described, then dry overnight on their sides on wax paper.
- The next day, add blushes of sugar to the fruits.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flakier pie crust, consider substituting half of the oil with cold butter or shortening. When mixing the ingredients, avoid overworking the dough to keep it tender. If you're short on almond paste, you can use marzipan as a substitute. For color, gel food coloring works better than liquid, ensuring a vibrant finish.
Serving Suggestions
This pie crust is versatile and pairs beautifully with various fillings, such as fruit or custard. For a delightful dessert, consider filling it with a rich chocolate mousse or a creamy filling like in a Miniature Cherry Cheesecake. Serve alongside whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a complete treat.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover pie crust in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you have unbaked crust, you can freeze it for up to three months. To reheat, allow it to come to room temperature before baking at 375°F until golden brown.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Room 189'S Pie Crust contains roughly 855 calories, with 23g protein, 111g carbohydrates, and 38g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (47% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (40% of the Daily Value), and iron (38% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 498mg per serving (22% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pie crust ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pie crust in advance. Once mixed, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two days. Alternatively, freeze it for longer storage. Just remember to let it thaw in the refrigerator before rolling it out.
What can I use if I don't have cream of tartar?
If you don’t have cream of tartar on hand, you can substitute it with an equal amount of lemon juice or white vinegar. These acids will help stabilize the mixture during cooking, achieving a similar texture for your pie crust.
How can I make the crust less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness of the pie crust, simply decrease the sugar quantity to your taste. You could also add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors, enhancing the overall taste without making it overly sweet.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).