Cheryl'S Flaky Pastry
Cheryl's Flaky Pastry offers a tender, buttery crust perfect for pies, tarts, or shells. Its crisp texture and balanced flavor make it ideal for sweet or savory fillings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sift flour and salt together.
- Cut in shortening with a fork or pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
- Stir in water with a fork as lightly as possible.
- Form a smooth ball. This will make one 2-crust pie, 2 pastry shells, or 12 individual tart shells.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flakier pastry, try using a combination of butter and shortening. If you're in a pinch, you can substitute part of the shortening with unsalted butter for added flavor. Make sure your water is ice-cold to help the fat stay solid, resulting in a better texture. When mixing, handle the dough as little as possible to avoid tough pastry. For more delicious ideas, consider pairing with a slice of Grandma'S Sweet Potatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Cheryl's flaky pastry is versatile and can be used for a variety of dishes. Serve it as a base for savory pies, like chicken pot pie, or sweet tarts filled with fruit, such as a cherry tart. It pairs beautifully with Family Favorite Fruit Salad as a light dessert option. For a hearty meal, consider serving with Heritage Chili for a comforting dinner.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftover pastry, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze the wrapped pastry for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling out. Reheat baked pastry shells in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore their crispiness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cheryl'S Flaky Pastry contains roughly 1065 calories, with 0g protein, 1g carbohydrates, and 120g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1745mg per serving (76% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the pastry dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before using it.
What can I do if my dough is too crumbly?
If the dough seems too crumbly and won't hold together, try adding a bit more water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
How do I prevent the pastry from shrinking while baking?
To prevent shrinking, make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. Additionally, you can use pie weights or dried beans when blind baking to keep the crust in place.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).