Here is page 23 of the vintage cookbook “What Shall I Cook Today” that was published by Spry Vegetable Shortening in 1935. This is the “Spry Pastry Mix” Recipe Section.
To review all recipes and pages in this cookbook, simply visit the Spry: What Shall I Cook Today? Category and click on a page title to review that section. There are scans available of each page, just click the images to view a full size copy.
SPRY PASTRY MIX
Now You can have Oven-fresh Pies at a Moment’s Notice
The greatest “shortcut” in the history of pie-making. Pie crust enough for a month–and all in a single mixing job!
Spry Pastry Mix offers a quick, handy way to make the lightest, flakiest, most delicious pastry you have ever eaten. Think of the convenience of having a quantity of this ready-mixed pastry on your pantry shelf! All the measuring and mixing for ten pies is done in one operation. And when you need pastry all you do is add water. Spry Pastry Mix keeps without refrigeration because Spry stays sweet and fresh indefinitely. Use Spry Pastry Mix to transform meat stews into tempting meat pies, to make dainty patty shells, tarts, or luscious fruit pies. It’s always ready for instant use!
Use This Recipe for Spry Pastry Mix
To make Spry Pastry Mix, sift 4 pounds (16 cups) flour with 2 tablespoons salt into a large bowl. Cut 2 pounds (4 1/2 cups) Spry into flour with pastry blender or two knives, until Spry is evenly distributed. Store for future use.
It is so Easy to Mix
It is convenient to cut 1 pound of Spry into 2 pounds of flour and 1 tablespoon of salt at a time. In this way, a mixing bowl of average size may be used. Cut in Spry with pastry blender or two knives.
Keep on the Pantry Shelf
Put Spry Pastry Mix in any covered container and keep in a convenient place. Use for pastry as needed. This mix will stay sweet and fresh at room temperature for an indefinite length of time.
How to Use Spry Pastry Mix for Pies and Tarts
Spry Pastry Mix is ready to use in making pie crust. Just add enough water to make a dough. Use 1 1/4 cups of mix and about 3 tablespoons of water for a one-crust pie, and 2 1/2 cups of mix and about 5 tablespoons of water for a two-crust pie or 12 tart shells. The recipe above will make 17 one-crust pies, or 8 two-crust pies and 1 one-crust pie, or 8 1/2 dozen 3-inch tart shells.
More Recipes For You To Enjoy:My mother’s favorite pumpkin pie recipe is the Spry New England Squash pie. I couldn’t find her copy of the Spry cookbook so was delighted that you had put it on the web. I made a squash pie using hubbard squash and she said it was as good as ever.
I have used the Spry piecrust mix for over 50 years. It is still the flakiest pie crust I have ever made and only takes a few minutes to add water and have a crust. I am so glad to see it in print again. Thanks.
Mom always made skillet cornbread using the Spry cookbook. In my move the recipe book was lost. Do you by chance have the recipe and would you share. Thank you.
Thank you for posting this! I have my mom’s Spry crust recipe for a double pie crust, but i has no idea you could make a ready crust mix.
I usually had trouble bc I make 9 1/2 inch pies. The original recipe works best for smaller pies. We love this flaky crust for our pumpkin pies, and especially for pre-baked crusts for our lemon meringue and chocolate cream pies.
What would you say the amount of mix/water would be for a 9 1/2” and 10” pie crusts?