Shortcrust Pastry Recipe | Food

Date Published:: 25/09/2007

If you're thinking of improving your baking, have a go at this easy recipe for shortcrust pastry - the starting point for perfect tarts.

Enough to line a 23cm round, fluted tin
Takes 10 minutes to make, plus chilling

Ingredients

200g plain flour, plus extra to dust
Pinch of salt
100g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

Method: How to make shortcrust pastry

1. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl and stir in the butter. Using your fingertips, rub in the butter until it resembles fine crumbs.

2. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir with a knife until it clumps together – add a little more water if it's dry.

3. Bring the mixture together to a rough ball. Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and knead very briefly until you have a smooth, firm dough – do not overwork as you'll end up with tough pastry!

4. Wrap in cling film and pop in the fridge for 30 minutes – this relaxes the gluten in the flour and stops it shrinking during cooking.

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Comments

I`ve looked for the bit about how hot and how long, can you post this please.

Posted by nirdosh on 29/10/2009 05:53:36

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hi what degree do you have the oven to cook this pastry i got electric oven thanks for the great recipe claire

Posted by claire on 22/09/2009 10:21:09

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Hello I'll be making this with gluten free flour, after reading why you must chill the pastry, should i still do this with gluten free ? Thanks.

Posted by Janette on 08/09/2009 08:49:16

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Thanks, great simple recipe that was easy for my children to follow.

Posted by James Ratsey on 15/06/2009 12:04:16

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do you know how long you have to cook the pastry for ? that should be included in the method but overal this site is great i use it for all my dinner partys !

Posted by lee on 19/05/2009 17:25:50

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yes, you can freze this sort of pastry... for about 3 months ish... make sure it's properly defrosted before you use it though... let it defrost in the fridge for a while, then let it get to room temperature befire you actually use it :)

Posted by matty on 07/02/2009 16:22:23

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i think your pastry one of the best i have seen keep up the good work i am sure i will make one some day.

Posted by bob smith on 15/01/2009 09:54:39

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is this recipe kid proof

Posted by LiFe_sTyLe_In_LuV on 23/12/2008 00:31:54

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Hello a little question please, can shortcrust pastry made to your recipe be made in advance and frozen Thank you Christine Donaghey

Posted by christine donaghey on 30/10/2008 10:31:46

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Recipes Shortcrust pastry recipe

Ingredients

Method: How to make shortcrust pastry

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