I will not judge you if you buy pre-made crust. In fact, I admire your priorities. That said, if you want to impress your mother-in-law or a first date, make the crust yourself. Use cold butter—like, “I just saw a yeti” cold. Cut it into the flour until it looks like coarse sand, then add ice water one tablespoon at a time.
A shocking truth: the secret to flaky crust is patience. And vodka. Yes, vodka. Replace a tablespoon of water with vodka. It evaporates in the oven, leaving behind nothing but flaky, buttery layers. You’re welcome.
