Coconut Oil Pie Crust- two ways


I love pie, and pie crust may be my favorite thing about pie. Although I don't eat it daily, and pie is not particularly health food, I thought it would be fun and interesting to experiment with making pie crust that did not involve using vegetable shortening (Crisco). My favorite recipe for pie crust uses a combination of butter and shortening. I began with it and started substituting. 

I thought both versions of the coconut oil pie crust were very good. The first version, made with half butter and half coconut oil, was probably indistinguishable from my regular pie crust. The second version was also very good; it just didn't have quite the same flavor that you get by adding butter. No flavor difference, really, from any all-shortening pie crust.

If I had to choose, I would say that the first version might have been just a little bit flakier. My husband preferred the taste of it, too. I liked them both. 


Coconut Oil Pie Crust #1
Makes single crust for 9" pie

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, very cold
4 tablespoons coconut oil, cold
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon (heaping) table salt
1 teaspoon sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons ice water

Measure butter and oil and keep refrigerated. Place flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Dice the butter and coconut oil (which will be a solid when cold) and add to food processor. Pulse for a few seconds until the butter and oil are about the size of peas. With the machine running, slowly pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse until dough begins to form a ball (you may not use all 4 tablespoons). Empty dough out onto a floured surface, roll lightly into a ball, gently flatten dough into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for half an hour (or up to 24 hours).

When ready to use dough, remove from refrigerator (let sit at room temp for a few minutes if refrigerated for too long to roll well), roll it out on a floured surface, transfer to pie plate, prick all over with fork, and bake at 400 degrees until golden brown (if preparing for prebaked shell; or follow recipe instructions if using for a baked filling). 



I also made this crust using all coconut oil:

Coconut Oil Pie Crust #2 

To do: substitute the 4 tablespoons butter and 4 tablespoons coconut oil in this recipe for 8 tablespoons coconut oil, very cold. Then proceed as written.


Cook's notes: 
  • Cold coconut oil has a different texture than cold butter. It kind of "shatters" more than "dices" when preparing it to cut into the flour. Just do your best to get it into uniform pieces. It works out. :) You can also use coconut oil that is just solid, "scoopable" out of the jar. 
  • The coconut oil I used was unflavored and unscented, so it did not give any flavor to the crust. Although I haven't tried using the less processed (more natural) flavored oil for pie crust, I would think it would be delicious for some pies. 



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108 comments:

  1. Love the idea of a healthier crust. I have to tell you.... You make a beautiful pie crust. Maybe some day, mine will even half that nice!

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    1. Oh, thank you so much, Kris! I have the advantage in that I don't publish 99% of my pie crusts- the ones that don't look very good. I made a pie the other day that was soooo good, and I wanted to blog about it so bad, but it was just UGLY. No way I was getting a good pic of that one, lol! Maybe I should have published it as Ugly Delicious Pie or something! :)

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    2. Posting three years later, I keep everything cold, even the dry ingredients! I use only coconut oil that has been frozen in a bread loaf pan lined with saran wrap. Then I grate in frozen coconut oil on a frozen box grater, then pulse with the cold flour mixture. Works like a charm for me, and no Trans Fats! (That was my initial quest, getting rid of the fat!)

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  2. I was wondering if the coconut oil makes good pie crust and now I have my answer from a trusty cooking friend! I agree about he butter. **Everything is better with b-u-d-duah**!

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    1. Heeheehee!! YES! You are so funny, Kay. :) Thank you for being a total day-brightener today!!

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  3. Hi Joy! What a great idea! I love pie also and I like the idea of a lighter crust. I'm going to try the second recipe. Thank you for sharing and have a great weekend! :D

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    1. Thank you, Vashti- if you try the pie crust, I hope you like it! Happy Friday, and I hope you have a great weekend, too! Thank you for coming by. :)

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  4. I love the idea of using coconut oil in pie crusts! So healthy and with that hint of coconut flavor? YUM!

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    1. Anne, not all of my kitchen experiments are successful, but we loved these! :) I was excited that they turned out so well. Thank you for stopping by!

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    1. Thanks, Deb- I was really happy that my experiments succeeded! :)

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  6. What a great use of coconut oil? I have some in my pantry, so I can't wait to try it.

    Stopping by from ShareFest!

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    1. Kristia, I'm so glad you visited from SITS Girls ShareFest! Thank you, and I hope you're having a great weekend!

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  7. Well, I think I'll have to try this today! My husband brought home a big bag of baking apples - the gift of a neighbor. You can probably guess what his first comment was - "you can make pies this weekend!" Just glad I have this recipe and the coconut oil already in the cupboard! Thanks!

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    1. Oh, my goodness, you have a lot of apple pies to make! :) If you try the pie crust, I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we do! I'm so glad you stopped by- thank you!

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  8. Thanks for this share! Will have to give it a go! Hello from Sharefest

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    1. If you try it, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Thanks so much for stopping by from SITS Sharefest! :)

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  9. Joy, your pie crust looks delicious! Since Crisco has been banished from my kitchen for some time, it is good to see a proven crust made with coconut oil. I'm thinking pumpkin pie with coconut oil crust - that's health food isn't it?

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    1. Jaclynne, I vote YES! A pumpkin pie really does sound good in this crust. If you make it, I hope you enjoy it! :)

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    2. I'm just about to make my first pumpkin pie using this crust. Pumpkin is roasting in the oven as I type. It's Halloween after all... ;)

      Thanks for this, I'll let you know how it goes.

      ox
      Cecilia

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  10. Beautiful pie crust Joy! I pinned so I can use your recipe in about a month. Thanks. See you tomorrow.
    Hugs,
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

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    1. Thank you, Wanda Ann, and thank you for pinning! Yes, we need to have all of our pie baking recipes ready soon! :)

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  11. This pie crust looks and sounds amazing, Joy! I definitely want to try this and thank you so much for sharing your recipe with us. Pinning! :) Hugs! xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Cindy, and thank you for pinning! I always enjoy Best of the Weekend so much! :)

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  12. You and your husband must have had a lot of fun sampling pie crusts! The picture certainly is beautiful. Pie crusts are something I have never been good at making....

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    1. Well, sampling pie crust is a terrible job, but *somebody's* gotta do it, lol! My pie crusts never look like my grandmother's beautiful crusts used to, but they taste pretty good! :)

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  13. Replies
    1. If you try it, I hope you like it as much as we do! :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. Love your pie crust, Joy! I am embarrassed by how mine look, so you won't find many on my blog lol. I like that you tried both ways too :) Pinning!

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    1. Aw, most of my pie crusts don't make it on here, lol! Thank you so much for pinning, Jamie! :)

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    2. Just stopping by to let you know that your post is being featured at tomorrow's All My Bloggy Friends! :) I can't wait to see what you share this week! {hugs}

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  15. Stopping by from the Sweet Tea Social. I think this is interesting. I never thought of trying to do this with Coconut Oil and we are always looking for new ideas for healthier options.

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    1. Thanks Mary, and thank you for coming by from the Sweet Tea Social! :)

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  16. What a beautiful pie crust, Joy! I'm not brave enough to experiment when it comes to baking. I'm no baker, that's for sure! Have never used coconut oil.
    Thanks for linking!

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    1. Well, I was really happy that the experiment turned out! ;) Thank you for coming by and for hosting See Ya In The Gumbo, Michelle!

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  17. I would've never thought to bake with Coconut Oil. Very interesting! :) Thanks for doing the "research"

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    1. Research that involves eating pie crust! ;) Thanks for coming by, Taylor! :)

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  18. Oooh! I can't wait to try this. Pinning it right now. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you for pinning and for coming by! :) If you try it, I hope you enjoy it!

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  19. Wow... never thought to substitute coconut oil in my pie crust recipe. Glad I stopped by!

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    1. I'm glad you stopped by, too! It's great to meet you! :)

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  20. This pie crust looks perfect. Don't tell anyone, as I may lose any respect I've ever received as a cook, but I have yet to master the pie crust. Thanks so much for sharing on HammockTracks.

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    1. Lol, Savannah, most of mine look pretty "rustic", I guess you'd say! I didn't like to even fool with them til I discovered how to make them in the food processor. Thank you for coming by, and thanks for hosting Saturday Dishes! :)

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  21. Pinned the recipe. I just started using coconut oil and I'm looking for recipes. I'm visiting from the Let's Get Social Sunday. Have a Great week!

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    1. Ann, thank you for coming by, and for pinning! I've just started trying to use more coconut oil, too. I'm so glad you joined us for Let's Get Social Sunday! :)

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  22. Well I don't know much about pie crusts, all I know is yours looks soooo gooood! that you are giving me a good reason to go ahead and experiment for once and all with my own home made pie crust! It looks beautiful Joy! I think I like the version with butter a bit more...I haven't met any pastry with butter I didn't like yet, lol. Thank you for sharing your pretty pie crust at the Fluster Buster Party! have a great week, Lizy party co host.

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    1. Lizy, thank you very much- you are so kind!! I have to agree with you, my favorite version of this pie crust is the one that is half coconut oil and half butter! :) I love Fluster Buster- thanks for co-hosting!

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  23. This Coconut Oil Pie Crust looks amazing! Thanks for linking it up to my Sweet Wednesday Link Party!

    Love,
    Heather
    MySweetMission.net

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    1. Thank you, Heather! I am really enjoying your Sweet Wednesday Link Party! :)

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  24. Great Idea! Thanks for sharing.
    Darcy @ The Ruffled Stitch

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    1. Thank you, Darcy, and thanks for coming by! :)

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  25. I was so interested to read this post, Joy! We are finally able to get coconut oil more easily in the UK now and I was wondering if it could be used in pie crusts. Both your crusts look lovely. Thank you for sharing this post :) x

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    1. Thank you so much, April- this was a fun experiment, and I was really happy that they turned out well! I am looking forward to trying scented/flavored coconut oil in a crust next. :)

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  26. Hi Joy--Stopping by from Super Saturday Link Party. Your pies look perfect!

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    1. Judy, thank you so much, and thanks for stopping by from Super Saturday! :)

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  27. It really comes out so well... love how golden and light it is... thanks for sharing your pie crust with us on foodie friday.

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    1. Diane, thank you so much, and thanks for hosting Foodie Friday! :)

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  28. Hi Joy,
    This looks like a great pie crust, I will have to try it. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday, and have a great weekend.
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thank you, Miz Helen, and thank you for hosting Full Plate Thursday! If you try it I hope you like it as much as we do. :)

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  29. Joy-You are a brave lady! If I had a pie crust that looks as pretty as yours did to begin with I wouldn't be brave enough to try to change it up. I have made a few things with coconut oil but always melted. I never even considered subbing for Crisco. Thanks for continuing to inspire at What'd You Do This Weekend.

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    1. Linda, thank you so much, and thanks for hosting What'd You Do This Weekend! I will see you in a little bit for this week's party!

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  30. I love baking & cooking with coconut oil, but I had never thought of making a pie crust with it. I love this! :)
    Thank you for sharing at Marvelous Mondays this week!

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    1. Thank you so much, Carrie, and thanks for hosting Marvelous Mondays! :)

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  31. I love this recipe and will try it the next time I make a pie! Thank you for sharing on Thursday's Treasures! I'm featuring it on Week 107! <3

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    1. Debi, thank you very much for featuring my pie crust- I am so excited! Thanks for coming by and for hosting Thursday's Treasures! :)

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  32. I have got to get in on the coconut oil in baking trend! This pie crust sounds so delicious! Thanks so much for sharing at Saturday Night Fever, I can't wait to see what you bring this Saturday, Joy! Pinning!

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    1. Jen, thank you so much for visiting, and for pinning! I have really been enjoying Saturday Night Fever- thanks for hosting! ;)

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  33. Thanks so much for this! Coconut oil is so good for you for lots of reasons, always looking for ways to use it. Pinned, can't wait to try it. -Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

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    1. Dawn, thank you for coming by, and for pinning! If you try it, I hope you enjoy it- we really did. :)

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  34. Have you tried a gluten-free version? I'm looking for one!

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    1. Hi, Lucy! I have not tried a gluten-free version, but it's a great idea. If I run across one, I'll forward it to you! Thanks for coming by! :)

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  35. Dear Joy, I love pie as well...It's one of my favorite desserts. I've never thought of using coconut oil, but it sounds like a healthful choice and looks just as wonderful as the all butter crust. Stop by soon, I'm hosting another fun giveaway this weekend and would love for you to be a part of it. Blessings, Catherine xo

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    1. We really liked the way the coconut oil crust turned out, Catherine- thank you! I will be sure to stop by- thanks for the invitation! :)

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  36. I've always wondered how coconut oil would work in pie crust, Joy...thanks for doing the experimentation for us! I'm going to have to try this sometime... :)

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    1. Samantha, I was really happy that the experiment turned out so deliciously! :D

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  37. What a GREAT idea! I love coconut oil and I am totally trying this! Thank you!

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    1. Denise, I was really excited that the coconut oil pie crusts turn out beautifully! If you try it, I hope you like it as much as we do! :)

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  38. This looks yummy - going to have to try it gluten free!

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    1. Michelle, you'll have to share with me how you make gluten-free pie crust! :)

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  39. Hi! I love this pie crust! I have made it twice now. Honestly, I never made pie crust before this and was a little scared when I saw that many people could not make it well without a food processor. I don't have a food processor, but I understood that using my hand will make the fat too warm. I used a cold potato masher (the type with a winding wire, not with small holes) and it turned out great! So, for people without a food processor, cold potato mashers will get the job done! Thank you so much for the recipe.

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    1. Amber, thank you so much for letting me know you tried this recipe, and that you liked it! That always means so much to me when someone enjoys my recipes. :) I made three of these yesterday and froze them for Thanksgiving! I think your idea of the cold potato masher is brilliant- I know your suggestion will help others- I appreciate you sharing it with us!!

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  40. This is a good alternative to using shortening. I used the first recipe. I had a hard time getting it to roll out and then my crust wanted to stick to the pie pan when serving the pie (but I'm sure it's something I'm doing). I will definitely try it again.

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    1. Hi, Lyndy! I’m glad you tried the recipe- did you like the taste of the crust?

      I have a few suggestions that might help. I don’t know what you had a hard time with as far as rolling it out, but here are some thoughts- being careful not to add too much water when you’re making the dough (this is the tricky part- it can be a slightly different amount of water needed every time you make a crust), and then use enough flour on whatever it is you rolled the dough out on, and flour your rolling pin often as you go along. One thing I have learned to do is, once you’re about half-way finished rolling, gently pick the partially rolled dough up on one side and flour lightly under, then pick the other side up and flour under there. That way you don’t get it all rolled out only to find that it has stuck right in the middle.

      I have had some people tell me they have good luck rolling pie dough out on floured parchment paper. I use one of those plastic mats that are made for rolling dough out on (floured).

      As far as sticking goes, I don’t always remember to grease the bottom of the pie pan, but when I do, it seems to help the crust release when serving. :) Just the bottom though, not the sides.

      Thanks for letting me know you tried the recipe. I hope one or two of my suggestions might come in handy the next time you make a pie. :)

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  41. Now that I know for sure to use the coconut oil COLD and not melted I can't wait to order more of the good stuff. I keep missing the 2-for-1 deal they rarely run on the large sizes at Traditional Tropicals. Now if I only had a food processor. :-)

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    1. Gail, coconut oil is a little pricey- I try to wait for specials, too. It's funny that you mentioned the food processor...I have been thinking about trying to make pie crust dough by hand with just a fork like my grandmother always did. Lots of people do, and it seems to work just fine. That may be my next adventure. ;)

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  42. Im back! I wanted to ask you if you would be ok with me posting this recipe on Allrecipes. I would put your name on it since I am not the one that created the recipe. I just do not feel right posting a recipe without asking the person that made it.

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    1. Amber, I always credit recipes, too! Thanks for asking and for putting my name on it- people don't always understand how important that is to us! :) I'm so glad you have enjoyed the recipe. :)

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  43. Hi Joy, I'm not much of a pie baker, but I will definitely try making your coconut oil pie crust. I like trying new recipes like this. Thanks for sharing this with Foodie Friends Friday Pie Party this week.

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    1. I really like how it turns out, Joanne! If you try it, I hope you enjoy it! :) Thank you for hosting FFF!

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  44. G'day and thanks Joy! I have never tried coconut oil in a pie crust, true!
    i will now be putting this on my list to do! Thank you!
    Cheers! Joanne
    Viewed as part of Food Friends Friday Pie Party

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    1. I love your rhymes, Joanne- you're so much fun! Thank you for hosting! :)

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  45. Have you ever used lard in your pie crusts? That is my first choice, I used to use crisco, but lard does make a difference, makes the pie dough very flaky, even a "cream' type pie. However, my daughter is marrying a man who cannot eat pork, and they are coming home this weekend and I need to make pie dough, and thought I would substitue it with coconut oil, and did a search and ended up at your blog! I'll be making this Sunday and will let you know how it turns out. thanks!

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    1. I haven't ever made pie crust with lard, but I've wanted to. My grandmother made pie crust like that for a long time, and yes, they are very flaky! :) I am so happy that you found my blog- thank you for letting me know! I do like this pie crust- it's the one I use most of the time now. I prefer the half butter and half coconut oil version, but just because of the flavor. I hope it turns out beautifully for you, and that you and your family have a wonderful visit (all family get-togethers are better with PIE!). You are an awesome mom and mom-in-law-to-be! :)

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  46. I use Coconut oil a lot as I know it's better for you. I hadn't heard of this pie crust - it looks great and I bet it tastes as good. Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x

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    1. Victoria, it was an experiment that turned out well! :) Thank you for hosting!

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  47. Coconut flour instead of wheat flour makes a gluten and wheat free pie crust, awhile ago, whilst trying a paleo based way of eating , I read and tried a few recipes exchanging coconut flour and almond meal/flour and they turned out qite yummy (and for breads and pizza crusts too ) worth a try :)

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    1. Great to know- it's fun to try new recipes!! Thank you for coming by! :)

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  48. I made the coconut oil and butter crust (and linked to it) for my Strawberry Cream Pie recipe on somuchtomake.blogspot.com. It was super! Thanks!

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    1. I'm so glad you tried it and liked it, Kelly!! I will come by! :)

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  49. Joy, I used your pie crust AGAIN in my "New Fashioned" Oatmeal Pie, and put a link in the recipe. It is my favorite crust, and it paired PERFECTLY with this pie, because it has coconut in it! Thanks again!
    somuchtomake.blogspot.com

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  50. Just bought myself a huge jar of coconut oil, not sure what I was going to use it for! Thanks for these recipes!

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  51. Joy, I have been wanting to make a coconut oil pie crust! Beautiful job! Going to share on facebook :) -Liz (Project Pastry Love)

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  52. Thanks for this! I moved to Europe, where good old American shortening is hard to come by. I just made a French silk pie with the half butter/half coconut oil crust, completely by hand, and it turned out perfect. Thanks again!

    Chelsey

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    1. Chelsey, I’m so glad it turned out well for you! Thanks for trying it, and extra thanks for letting me know- that made my day!! :)

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  53. I love coconut oil, but am so bad about remembering to use it in baking! I'll need to try this soon.

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  54. I don't do nearly as much with coconut oil as I should! This pie crust looks amazing, Joy!

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  55. Hi Joy,
    I made the 1/2 butter, 1/2 coconut oil recipe and my apple pie is in the oven smelling delicious! I had a problem rolling it out (it had chilled in the refrigerator for about 2 hours). When I took it out of the frig, it was quite hard and when I rolled it, the dough kept "cracking" and breaking apart. I rolled it the best I could and then pushed and pieced it together in the pie pan. I'll let you know how it comes out but can you give me your thoughts on what I did wrong that made the rolling difficult? Thanks so much!

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    1. Hi, Anonymous! I would guess that it was a little too cold. After refrigeration, we would want it to sit out for a few minutes to become roll-able. However, as cold as it was, it was probably very flaky! I hope you loved it, and I do appreciate that you let me know that you tried it. I can almost smell your apple pie now! :)

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