Things You'll Need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) of cold, unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
- Food processor or pastry blender
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Step 1
Cut the butter into 1-inch pieces and return it to the fridge for 15 minutes. This ensures that the butter is cold when you are working with it.
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Step 2
Combine flour, salt and sugar in a food processor or mixing bowl until combined.
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Step 3
Add butter to the dry mixture. If you are using a food processor, pulse for 30 seconds until coarse crumbs form. If you're blending by hand, use the pastry blender to cut dry mixture through butter until coarse crumbs form and return it to the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
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Step 4
Add 1/4 cup of ice water to butter mixture until dough comes together. If it is still in crumbs, add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough is moist, but not sticky.
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Step 5
Divide dough into two halves. Shape each piece into a round disc and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to help set the dough. Use dough according to pie or quiche recipe.
