Pie Crust and Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Sticks

Today I came across a picture of "pie crust fries" while viewing a Facebook post from my favorite baking site, King Arthur Flour. My Grandma Wamer made pie crust flavored with cinnamon and sugar more than 50 years ago and I loved it!  In fact, I've been making the same thing in different forms for almost that long. Grandma would roll the dough as though she was making a pie crust, sprinkle it with a cinnamon sugar mixture and fold it in half, making a semi-circle.  She'd place it on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake at 425 degrees for about 12-15 minutes until the crust was golden brown.  The recipe below can be used for either a 2-crust pie, or a single crust and a batch of cinnamon sugar pie crust sticks.

Many of my friends and family members shy away from making homemade pie crust.  No need.  It is simple to make if you use the "secret" ingredient--vodka. Don't laugh! The alcohol vaporizes in the oven and will not affect the taste. Vodka inhibits gluten formation, the main cause of a tough pie crust. Try it, I promise it will make the best pie crust you've ever eaten. (My choice of brand name ingredients are not an endorsement, just my personal preference).

Pie Crust (Recipe for 2-crust pie)

2 cups all purpose unbleached flour (King Arthur)
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
3 tablespoons ice water
3 tablespoons ice cold Vodka (Tito's)

1.  Combine flour and salt.
2.  Add Crisco and use a pastry blender to work in until the mixture resembles large pea-sized crumbs.
3.  Sprinkle liquids over dough and combine with fork just until dough is soft, but don't over work.
4.  Divide dough in half and place on two sheets of waxed paper.
5.  Pat into 6 inch disk, wrap and chill for about 30 minutes.
6.  Place chilled disk between two sheets of waxed paper. (TRICK: spray counter lightly with water to keep waxed paper from sliding while you roll the dough)
7.  Starting from the center of the disk, roll the dough out toward the edges in a circle until it is at least an inch larger than your pie pan.
8.  Remove the top sheet of waxed paper and lay your pie pan in the middle of the dough circle.
9.  Place your hand under the waxed paper and crust and flip, gently easing it into place in the pie pan. 10.Remove remaining waxed paper; roll edge and flute the crust. Repeat for 2-crust pie.

For Cinnamon Pie Crust Sticks:

1.  Make pie crust as above.  Roll one disk into a rectangle or circle.
2.  Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and brush over pie crust (if desired)
3.  Mix one teaspoon cinnamon and 1/3 cup of sugar in custard cup or small bowl and sprinkle evenly over crust.
4.  Cut into 1/2 inch  x  5 inch strips with pizza cutter.
5.  Place on baking sheet lined with Silpat or foil and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.  Watch carefully!  They can go from golden to burned in a short time. Set the timer for 12 minutes to be cautious.