Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 tsp lemon juice or vinegar
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Incorporate Butter: Add cold, cubed butter to the flour. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to flatten the butter into small shards, leaving visible chunks for flakiness.
- Add Liquid: Mix cold water and lemon juice. Gradually add to the flour mixture, stirring gently with a fork until the dough begins to come together.
- Shape and Chill: Form the dough into a rough rectangle, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- First Roll and Fold: Roll the dough on a floured surface into an 8×16-inch rectangle. Fold like a letter (bottom third up, top third down). Rotate 90 degrees.
- Repeat Process: Roll and fold three more times, chilling the dough for 20 minutes between folds.
- Final Chill: Wrap the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before use.
- Use or Store: Use the dough for pastries or store in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
Notes
- Sweet Pastry: Add 1 tbsp sugar for desserts.
- Savory Twist: Add 1 tsp dried herbs for savory dishes.
- Whole Wheat Option: Replace half the flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours (in steps)
- Category: Pastry Dough
- Method: Fold-and-Roll
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
