Basic Shortcrust Pastry

Name: Basic Shortcrust Pastry
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 & 2/3 cups Plain Flour; 125 g Butter; 1 Egg *OR 2-3 tablespoons COLD Water OR Milk; Note: The softness can be adjusted by adding Cold Water OR more Flour; 1/4-1/2 cup Caster Sugar *for sweet pastry; 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract *for sweet pastry; 50 g Parmesan Cheese *grated, for cheesy pastry; 2-3 teaspoons Instant Coffee Granules *good for chocolate tart

Hiroko Liston @hirokoliston

Melbourne, Australia

I never wanted to bother making pastry from scratch. But I have done it once to find out how easy it is. My shortcrust pastry is very versatile. It can be sweet or savoury. I always use ordinary salted Butter.

Hiroko Liston @hirokoliston

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Ingredients

1& 2/3 cups Plain Flour
125 gButter
1Egg *OR 2-3 tablespoons COLD Water OR Milk
Note: The softness can be adjusted by adding Cold Water OR more Flour
Additional Ingredients
1/4-1/2 cupCaster Sugar *for sweet pastry
1 teaspoonVanilla Extract *for sweet pastry
50 gParmesan Cheese *grated, for cheesy pastry
2-3 teaspoonsInstant Coffee Granules *good for chocolate tart

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Steps

1

Food Processor Method:
Place dry ingredients and Butter in a food processor, process until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add lightly beaten Egg (OR COLD Water) and process until dough just comes together. Turn out on a lightly floured surface. Knead gently and shape into a disc.
2

Basic Method:
Place dry ingredients into a large bowl, add Butter and rub in with fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add lightly beaten Egg (OR COLD Water) and mix to combine. Knead the dough gently on a lightly floured surface and shape into a disc.
3

Like-Cookie-Dough Method:
Beat softened Butter and Sugar until smooth. Beat in Egg and Vanilla, and mix well. Add Flour and mix to combine, then knead gently and shape into a disc. This is my favourite method for sweet pastry.