Puff Pastry Dough
Ingredients:
– 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
– 1/2 cup cold water
– 1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
Instructions:
1. **Mix Dry Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Mix well.
2. **Add Butter:** Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, mix the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
3. **Add Water:** In a separate bowl, mix the cold water and lemon juice (if using). Gradually add the water mixture to the flour and butter mixture, stirring with a fork until the dough just begins to come together. Do not overmix.
4. **Form Dough:** Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a rough rectangle. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. **Roll and Fold:** After chilling, roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick. Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter, and turn it 90 degrees. Roll out again and repeat the folding process.
6. **Chill Again:** Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for another 30 minutes. Repeat the rolling and folding process 2 more times, chilling the dough between each fold.
7. **Final Chill:** After the final fold, wrap the dough and chill for at least 1 hour before using.
8. **Use:** The puff pastry is now ready to be rolled out and used for your favorite recipes, such as tarts, pastries, or pies.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Chill Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
