Sometimes you want to enjoy some pastries. And the more successful it is, the greater the feeling of satisfaction. Each of us has a favorite treat, the basis of which is shortbread dough. A skillful hostess can complement the classic recipe with her favorite ingredients, which will create an individual culinary masterpiece.
Shortbread dough
This is a semi-finished product that is used in the preparation of flour products both on an industrial scale and at home. It turns out when mixing different ingredients and is the basis of many recipes, so it depends on how much the prepared dish will be delicious. In this case, you need to know which dough is being prepared for what purpose and how to knead it correctly.
The dough can be prepared using two different technologies:
In the manufacture of the first technology, yeast is used as a baking powder. Two methods are possible here: steamed (first the starter is kneaded, and then the dough itself) and steamed (the dough is used immediately after mixing).
The yeast-free dough is divided into biscuit, sand and puff. Each of them is prepared according to its technology and is significantly different in taste.
Shortbread dough, the classic recipe of which is based on a 3: 2: 1 ratio (flour / butter / sugar), is used to bake cookies and pies, and is also found in some recipes for cakes and cakes.
Classic shortbread dough
The right shortcrust pastry is very tasty and tender. The classic recipe suggests several options:
- flour, butter, sugar, water, egg yolk;
- flour, butter, sugar, water;
- flour, butter, sugar, eggs, soda, vanillin;
- flour, butter, sour cream, sugar, soda, baking powder.
This dough is prepared easily and quickly, it turns out very tender and crumbly.
Shortbread dough, the classic recipe of which necessarily includes butter, is kneaded in several ways. It depends on the consistency of the oil. The frozen rubs on a grater, the solid oil from the refrigerator is cut into cubes with a knife, the softened is put into flour and mixed with it with a mixer, the melted is poured and also mixed. If you need to get lean shortcrust pastry, then the butter is replaced with vegetable.
Cookie dough
Freshly made homemade shortbread cookies have a unique taste and delicate aroma. This is the case when the simplest is the best. Such cookies, intended for Sunday lunch, will probably take longer to cook than show off on the dining table.
The classic recipe for shortcrust pastry for cookies does not contain any frills, superfluous ingredients. Such cookies are good because it is served warm, sometimes still hot, as they say, in the heat of the heat. This is his charm and consists. Their shape also makes these cookies particularly attractive: you can cut out animals, flowers, and stars.
So, let's take the necessary products:
- 200 g butter;
- 100 g of granulated sugar;
- 2 eggs;
- 2 cups of flour;
- 0.5 tsp soda.
Let's do the cooking:
- Soften butter, drive eggs in, pour sugar, flour and soda on top.
- Knead the dough so that it is plastic and does not stick to your hands.
- We preheat the oven, and at this time we cut the dough: roll it into a ball, then divide it into four, again into four, we get 16 balls.
- We flatten each ball to make a small cake, which will crack when baked, which will give a certain shade to the taste.
- Bake until browned.
If desired, raisins, cocoa powder, nuts can be added to the mass before baking.
Pie dough
The classic recipe for shortcrust pastry for a pie allows you to well retain the moisture that is released from the fruit during baking. At the same time, the cake remains crispy on the outside, and so that it does not leak, a little starch should be put in the filling.
The minimum version of such a test looks like this. As the ingredients we take:
- 235 g of flour;
- 115 g butter;
- 115 ml of water.
Cooking:
- We put all products and equipment for ten minutes in the refrigerator.
- Cut the butter into small cubes with a knife and then chop it with flour.
- Add ice water to the fine butter crumbs and collect the dough in a lump.
- Wrapping the film, we send the dough into the refrigerator for half an hour.
- We spread it on the table, roll it out, add the filling and send it to the oven.
If everything is done using this technology, the dough will turn out crispy and will not form bubbles when baking.
The cake can be decorated open and closed, on a baking sheet and in shape. As a filling for such a pie, you can take strawberries, cherries, wild berries, apples. You can simply sprinkle the filling with sugar, or you can pour berries or fruits with gelatin dissolved in yogurt. Such a delicacy will be appreciated by everyone.
Great dessert
A classic golden crust forms when baking a classic shortbread crust. The recipe with a photo of the finished product is a vivid example of this.
The dough made according to the previous recipe is very suitable for a pie with berries. The only thing you can add to the ingredients is granulated sugar. In addition to sweetness, it also forms a pleasant fragrant crust, which will give the finished product a beautiful appearance.
Such a pie will be a wonderful dessert; it goes well with milk, juice, and compote. The enthusiastic praise of loved ones will be a reward for trying to make a cake.
Miscellaneous shortcrust pastry
Recently, shortbread dough products have become very popular, because they are prepared simply, and they have a home-like taste.
A correctly made dough has a friable structure and a sweetish taste. Closed and open pies, pastries, cakes, bagels, tartlets can be prepared from it. They will decorate the holiday table, and are suitable for a modest evening tea party.
A wonderful shortbread dough, the classic recipe of which is complemented by kefir, will go on bagels with jam. Kefir makes the dough very elastic, which allows you to twist a bagel filled with flavorful filling.
Shortbread dough, the classic recipe of which allows you to roll it very thinly, will be an excellent basis for cheesecake with cottage cheese. Children love this pastry because it has a very delicate creamy taste.