Pate Brisee (Pie Dough)

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Yield:
Makes 1 double-crust or 2 single-crust 9- to 10-inch pies

Pate brisee is the French version of classic pie or tart pastry. Pressing the dough into a disc rather than shaping it into a ball allows it to chill faster. This will also make the dough easier to roll out, and if you freeze it, it will thaw more quickly.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Directions

  1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 seconds.

  2. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream through feed tube. Pulse until dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds. To test, squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

  3. Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill at least 1 hour. Dough may be stored, frozen, up to 1 month.

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