What is the ratio of fat to flour in shortcrust pastry?

What is the ratio of fat to flour in shortcrust pastry? - Scrabble Letter Tiles on White Background

What is the ratio of fat to flour in shortcrust pastry? I cannot find anything on the matter, and it said somewhere that it was 4:1 but I've been told differently in the past, so I've come here to ask for different opinions.



Best Answer

Typical ratios are 3:2 or 2:1 (flour to fat). In fact, you can use a flaky crust recipe if you prefer, the difference is only in the mixing. I have used these ratios successfully for short pie/tart crusts, both sweet and savory, and for different types of cookie. But I must note that the textbook "The professional pastry chef" uses 1:0.88 flour to fat, with 0.38 sugar and 0.11 eggs added, as the basic formula intended "as a base for cakes and pastries or to line tart pans [and to prepare] nothing-left-in-the-showcase cookies".

I haven't tried working with ratios outside the 3:2 to 2:1 range, but 1:4 strikes me as too buttery. It is probably not enough flour to hold together, you're more likely to end up with a stirrable roux base than a pastry crust. In fact, 1:1 is already a standard roux (although it might be a bit more pliable than stirrable if made with butter in an oven and then refrigerated).

If you meant it in the other direction, you can very likely make a crust with 4 parts flour to 1 part fat. Then it will be difficult to work all the flour into the fat, and you will have to add more water than with higher-fat ratios to get a cohesive ball. The more flour you add, the more you are leaving classic shortcrust territory and going into something else - something like a hardtack with a bit of fat.




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Quick Answer about "What is the ratio of fat to flour in shortcrust pastry?"

Shortcrust pastry dough is a simple recipe used for pies, tarts, and quiche. It calls for just four ingredients—flour, fat, salt, and water—and the ratio of flour to fat is usually 4-to-1.

What ratio of fat to flour makes the best pastry?

The most flaky, tender crust comes down to a simple 3:2:1 ratio of ingredients\u2014flour, fat, water\u2014 no actual recipe needed.

What is the most common ratio of flour to butter when making shortcrust pastry?

For a good shortcrust pastry, the ratio is about two parts flour to one part butter. It's not wrong to add more butter if a shorter, crumblier pastry is what you're after.

What is the ratio of fat and flour?

The standard ratio of fat to flour is 1:1, but you can adjust the consistency to get a moister mixture.

What is the usual proportion of fat to flour for rough pastry?

It's easy to vary the quantity so long as you remember to keep the ratio of flour to fat at 3:2 For example: 6 oz of flour to 4 oz of fats (2 butter, 2 lard) or 150 grams to 100 grams for the metric minded. We often have rough puff pastry as the top of a meat and potato pie.



How To Make Shortcrust Pastry




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