Shortcrust Pastry Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 250g plain flour
• 125g cold, unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 egg yolk
• 2-3 tbsp cold water
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour and salt, and mix well.
3. Add the cubed butter to the bowl and use your fingertips to quickly rub it into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Be careful not to overwork the mixture as this can cause the dough to become tough.
4. Next, add the egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of water, and mix together until a dough forms. If the dough is too dry and crumbly, add another tablespoon of water until it comes together.
5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until it forms a smooth ball.
6. Roll out the dough to the required thickness and use for your desired pastry base or top.
7. Bake the pastry as per your recipe instructions.

Verdict:

Making shortcrust pastry dough from scratch can seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple and well worth the effort. This homemade dough has a lovely buttery flavour and crisp texture that beats store-bought alternatives every time.

Serving Suggestions:

Use this pastry dough for sweet or savoury tarts, quiches, pies, or turnovers. It’s perfect for making a classic quiche lorraine or a scrumptious apple pie. Enjoy!