Ingredients
Instructions
- In a stand mixer (or a large bowl with an electric hand beater), cream together cream cheese and butter on medium-high for 2 minutes until fully combined. Scrape down sides of bowl.
- Whisk together flour, sugar and salt. Add to mixer bowl and stir on medium-low until until it resembles corn meal, then on medium-high until it all sticks together. Remove 3 tbsp of dough and reserve.
- Flour workbench lightly. Turn dough out onto floured board. Knead lightly until well-combined. Pat out into a 6" circle, and transfer to a greased 9" pie plate. Using heel of hand, press dough out to sides of pan. Using fingertips, push dough smooth and even, working it up the sides of the pan.
- Roll out reserved dough into a rope about 12" long (use a ruler!). Cut into three 4" lengths, then roll each piece out to 8" long. Lay the 3 ropes along the upper edge of the pie pan, pressing lightly into the dough already in the pan. Flute the edge as you would a rolled crust. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour. (Dough can be held up to 2 days in the refrigerator, or 1 month in the freezer if double wrapped.).
- Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork (try not to go all the way through to the pan, or the filling might leak). Bake in preheated 325°F oven for about 35 minutes until golden brown.