The Secret to Making the Perfect Flaky Pastry
The Secret to Making the Perfect Flaky Pastry Flaky, buttery pastry is a staple of many delicious baked goods, from croissants to pies and tarts. Achieving that delicate, crisp texture requires skill, precision, and a few insider tricks. Whether you’re making puff pastry, pie crust, or Danish dough, mastering these techniques will help you create bakery-quality pastries at home. And if you ever want to enjoy expertly crafted treats without the effort, visiting bakeries in Mattoon, IL is always a great option. 1. Start with the Right Ingredients Quality ingredients make all the difference in pastry-making. Here’s what you’ll need: Flour – Use all-purpose or pastry flour for a tender texture. Avoid bread flour, as its high protein content makes pastries tough. Cold Butter or Fat – The key to flakiness is keeping the butter or shortening cold. Cold fat creates steam during baking, forming those delicate layers. Cold Water – Ice-cold water helps prevent the fat from melting too soon, k...