Master the art of pastry-making with this versatile Basic Short Crust Pastry recipe, a must-have in every baker's repertoire. Crafted with just a handful of pantry staples—flour, cold butter, and a touch of salt—this recipe creates a rich, buttery dough that's delightfully crisp and tender once baked. Customize it effortlessly by adding sugar for a sweet pastry, perfect for desserts like tarts and pies. The key to success lies in using cold ingredients and minimal handling to achieve that flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether you're preparing a savory quiche or a luscious fruit tart, this quick and simple pastry dough, ready in just 15 minutes, is your go-to foundation for endless culinary creations.
In a large mixing bowl, sift the all-purpose flour and salt together. If making a sweet pastry, add the granulated sugar and mix to combine.
Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the bowl. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. You can also use a pastry cutter or a food processor to achieve this texture.
Gradually add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time. Use a fork or your hands to combine the mixture until it forms a rough dough. Avoid overworking the dough as this can result in a tough pastry.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the dough to rest and the butter to chill.
When ready to use, roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to the desired thickness (about 2-3 mm) and fit it into your tart or pie dish.
Trim any excess dough and use the pastry as required for your recipe, whether baking it blind for a tart shell or filling it directly for a pie.
Serving size | 450.6 grams (450.6g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 1909 |
Total Fat 103.80g | 133% |
Saturated Fat 64.60g | 323% |
Cholesterol 273mg | 91% |
Sodium 2383mg | 104% |
Total Carbohydrate 216.10g | 79% |
Dietary Fiber 6.80g | 24% |
Total Sugars 25.80g | |
Protein 26.90g | 54% |
Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
Calcium 62mg | 5% |
Iron 12mg | 65% |
Potassium 294mg | 6% |
Source of Calories