Description
Bakers seeking perfection find solace in this classic sweet shortcrust pastry, a delicate canvas for countless desserts. Rich butter and delicate flour merge into a crisp, tender crust that promises delightful moments of culinary joy you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 150 grams (5.3 ounces) plain flour
- 50 grams (1.8 ounces) icing sugar
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 egg yolk
Fat Ingredient:
- 75 grams (2.6 ounces) unsalted butter
Instructions
- Combine cold butter and flour in a mixing bowl, gently crumbling with fingertips until the mixture transforms into a sandy, breadcrumb-like texture.
- Incorporate powdered sugar and a delicate sprinkle of salt, ensuring even distribution throughout the crumbly mixture.
- Create a small well in the center, introduce egg yolk, and carefully fold together, gradually binding the ingredients into a cohesive dough. If the mixture appears too dry, introduce minimal cold water to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Gently shape the dough into a flattened circular disc, preventing excessive handling to maintain a tender texture.
- Envelop the pastry disc securely in plastic wrap, allowing it to rest and firm up in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes, which helps relax the gluten and prevents shrinkage during baking.
- After chilling, transfer the pastry to a lightly floured surface and roll out methodically to the desired thickness, ensuring an even, uniform shape for your specific tart or pie recipe.
Notes
- Ensure butter is cold and cut into small cubes for the best crumbly texture when rubbing into flour.
- Add water sparingly to prevent the dough from becoming too wet and losing its delicate, short consistency.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with a mix of almond and rice flour to maintain the pastry’s light, crisp quality.
- Chill the dough thoroughly to relax the gluten and prevent shrinkage during baking, resulting in a more stable and perfectly shaped crust.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: Varies
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 278 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 4 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg