Recipe: Versatile, Never Fail Pastry

This pastry recipe is a keeper. Not only is it super easy but it stays true to its name - never fail! It may be easy to go out any buy Tenderflake but when homemade pastry comes this easily why not make your own? This pastry is your starting point for a range of recipes - ideal for pies, tarts, meat pies etc. You'll want to keep this one handy!

Time: Approx. 10 minutes


Ingredients

5 cups flour
2 Tbsp white sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 lb cold shortening
1 egg
2 Tbsp vinegar
ice water

In your stand mixer's bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Attach the bowl and flat beater to the mixer.

Cut the block of shortening into chunks and add about half of the shortening in the bowl with the flour mixture. Turn the stand mixer on to level 2 allowing the shortening to begin cutting in with the flour. Add the remaining shortening run the mixer until all the shortening is mixed in.

Meanwhile, crack the egg into a 1 cup measuring cup and add the vinegar. Fill to the 1 cup mark with icy cold water and beat with a fork. With the stand mixer running at about level 2 mix the egg mixture with the flour. Allow the mixer to run until dough forms (only about 1-2 minutes).

Form into a ball. Divided into roughly 3 equal balls equals enough for 3 single-crust pies, or 1 double-crust and one single-crust pie, or approximately 36 tarts. Pastry can be rolled out on a floured surface for desired the recipe and can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Recipe by photos:

Consistency after mixing half the shortening in with the flour mixture 

Consistency after mixing in all of the shortening with the flour mixture

Consistency of pastry after adding egg mixture with flour/shortening mixture

Lesson of the day: Be careful when first turning on your stand mixer with flour-based contents. Now I know cranking it up full speed will obviously result in a flour cloud, however the speed knob is sensitive and my hand slipped it further along the speed dial than I intended... hence the mess.

If there is one recipe that goes hand in hand with my mixer, its this one. Out of all the recipes I have made, I have made this one the most. If I did not have my stand mixer I would feel lost as to how to make this pastry. I am sure it's possible but I would sure feel disoriented.