How to Make Homemade Pie Crust: My Tips for a Flaky, Tender Crust Pie season always makes me think about homemade pie crust. Making your own pie dough can seem intimidating, but there are a few simple things you can do that make the process much easier. The goal isn't to create a perfectly smooth dough. In fact, some of the things that might look a little imperfect along the way are exactly what help create a flaky, tender crust. I'll show you how I make enough dough for a generous double-crust pie, along with the little visual clues I use to know when the dough is ready.