Shortbread Pastry

Elevate your baking game with this buttery and crumbly Shortbread Pastry recipe, a versatile classic perfect for pies, tarts, and cookies. Made with just six simple ingredients—unsalted butter, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, a hint of vanilla, cold water, and a pinch of salt—this pastry comes together effortlessly in under 20 minutes of prep time. The secret to its melt-in-your-mouth texture lies in using chilled butter and gently working it into the flour for a tender, flaky crumb. Whether you're crafting a rich tart shell or delicate shortbread cookies, this recipe promises a golden, crisp finish after just 15 minutes of baking. For a professional touch, chill the dough before rolling it out, ensuring easy handling and flawless results every time. Perfect for sweet or savory creations, this shortbread pastry is a must-have in your baking repertoire.

Nutriscore Rating: 47/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 200 grams unsalted butter
• 100 grams granulated sugar
• 300 grams all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Directions

Step 1

Place the unsalted butter in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before beginning to ensure it is cold.

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) if you plan to bake the pastry immediately.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.

Step 4

Cut the cold unsalted butter into small cubes and add it to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips, a pastry cutter, or a food processor, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Step 5

Add the vanilla extract and gradually mix in the cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough starts to come together. Avoid overmixing; the dough should be slightly crumbly but hold together when pressed.

Step 6

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow it to firm up.

Step 7

After chilling, roll out the dough to your desired thickness (usually about 5mm) on a floured surface. Use it to line a tart tin, pie dish, or cut it into desired shapes if making cookies.

Step 8

If baking immediately, prick the base of the dough with a fork to prevent puffing. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before filling or serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(634.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2942.1

Total Fat 174.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 100.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 442.9mg	0%
Sodium 174.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 329.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.2g	0%
Total Sugars 101.2g
Protein 32.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 85.5mg	0%
Iron 13.9mg	0%
Potassium 373.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.0%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 43.7%