For successful baking, it’s really important to allow butter and eggs to come to room temperature before baking. You can put a butter cube in the microwave for 9 seconds (each microwave is different, but that’s how long mine takes). For eggs, place in a bowl of hot water for 1-2 minutes and drain.

For pies you want to keep the butter as cold as possible because when it bakes in the oven it creates steam pockets and that is what makes a great flaky crust.