Skip to main content

Cream Cheese Pie Dough

Those new to working with pastry would do well to start with a cream cheese dough. The combination of butter and cream cheese produces a supple, forgiving dough that rolls out quickly and smoothly, thanks to the high moisture content of the cream cheese. It also has a tender crumb and a pleasingly tangy flavor that pairs well with sweet or savory fillings.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes enough for one 9-inch single-crust pie

Ingredients

2 teaspoons cold water
1 teaspoon cold cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
4 ounces cold cream cheese, cut into small pieces

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine water and vinegar in a small bowl. Combine flour and salt in another bowl. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut butter and cream cheese into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse meal, with some larger pieces remaining. (Alternatively, pulse ingredients in a food processor.)

    Step 2

    Add water mixture to dough in a slow, steady stream, stirring (or pulsing), until mixture just begins to hold together. Turn out onto plastic, and wrap. Press dough into a disk using a rolling pin. Refrigerate until firm, 1 hour or up to 1 day. (Dough can be frozen up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before using.)

Martha Stewart's New Pies and Tarts
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Hawai‘i's beloved fried chicken is crispy, sweet, and savory.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
This summery sheet-pan dinner celebrates the bounty of the season and couldn't be simpler to make. Chorizo plays nicely with the salad, thanks to its spice.