Whether you want to make rich tarts or simple cookies, it’s important to follow the right recipe for a perfect classic shortcrust pastry by hand. Because yes, we are now super technological and equipped with the best stand mixers, but don’t you just love the pleasure of preparing shortcrust pastry with your own hands?
Today, I want to share with you my foolproof recipe for making a perfect hand-made shortcrust pastry, using classic ingredients: flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt. So, without any leavening agent.
The secret to good shortcrust pastry is to work the ingredients as quickly as possible, to prevent the dough from warming up too much. Of course, it goes without saying that you need to use quality ingredients, because this also contributes to the success of this preparation. Lastly, use cold butter straight from the fridge.
Follow the step-by-step procedure to make an excellent hand-made shortcrust pastry, which you can use as a base for delicious and scenic desserts, such as:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Affordable
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients for Classic Shortcrust Pastry by Hand
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 lemon zest
Preparation of Classic Shortcrust Pastry by Hand
Pour the flour into a mound on a work surface. Make a well in the center and add the pinch of salt, sugar, butter cut into pieces, a whole egg, an egg yolk, and the grated zest of one lemon.
Quickly combine the ingredients, working first with your fingertips until you obtain a crumbly mixture.
Then, work the dough with your whole hands and always quickly. If necessary, add a little flour to prevent the shortcrust from sticking to your hands or the work surface.
Form a ball with the mixture and wrap it in plastic wrap.
Then let the dough rest in the fridge for 30 minutes, so it firms up.
Now, you can proceed with your hand-made shortcrust preparations.
Storage
You can store the shortcrust pastry for 3-4 days in the fridge wrapped in plastic wrap.
You can also freeze the shortcrust pastry for up to a month.
Variation of Classic Shortcrust Pastry by Hand
If you don’t want to use butter, you can replace it with seed oil.
How can I flavor the shortcrust pastry, other than with lemon?
You can replace the lemon zest with an orange zest. Alternatively, you can flavor your shortcrust pastry with spices, such as cinnamon (ideal for preparing Christmas desserts) or with the seeds of a vanilla bean.
What are the cooking times?
The cooking time for shortcrust pastry varies depending on the type of dessert it’s used for. So, it’s a good rule to follow the instructions of the chosen recipe.
