The egg yolk makes this crust vulnerable to burned edges, so always shield the edges of the crust, with aluminum foil or a pie shield, to protect them while baking.

Making fruit pie? Apply strong heat to the bottom crust at the beginning of the baking time to prevent sogginess. For best results, use a metal (aluminum preferred) pie pan. Bake at 425°F on the bottom rack of your oven for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F, move your pie to the middle rack, and continue to bake until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.

For an egg-free crust, substitute 4 tablespoons cold water for the egg and lemon juice (or vinegar). If necessary, stir in additional cold water, a teaspoon at a time, until the dough holds together.

To pre-bake without filling, preheat the oven to 375°F. Line the bottom with pie weights, and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the weights, and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the crust is a light golden brown.

If you're baking a custard pie in this crust, we recommend pre-baking as directed above, then cooling the crust until you can touch it comfortably before pouring in the custard. Bake the custard-filled pie at the moderate heat such pies require; your recipe will indicate what that is. Don't forget the pie shield for this second bake as well.