Pasty Pastry for Cornish Miners' Pasties

Debber's Note:

This goes with Cornish Miners' Pasties and makes the most outstanding pastry crust ever! Lard is the preferred "shortening" and closest to the "original" recipe. But regular shortening will work, too. Although butter would make it very rich, I've NEVER used butter in this. The crust is very light and flakey--but sturdy enough to hold the pasty ingredients; turns a beautiful golden-brown when brushed with milk prior to baking. This recipe can also be used for quiches (weighted down with beans) and pies.

• Total Time: 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6-8

Yield: 6.0 pasties

• 3 cups flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup shortening or 1 cup lard
• ¾ cup ice water (the colder the better!)

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients in mixing bowl.
2. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add ice water a little at a time, tossing with a fork to make a pastry-like dough.
4. Add a bit more water if it seems dry and won't hold together when squeezed lightly.
5. Gather into a ball, press firmly now, then wrap with plastic wrap and chill while preparing the pasty ingredients (see Recipe # ).
6. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface (or on top of a piece of plastic wrap which can easily be folded over and then peeled off once the pasty ingredients are loaded).
7. Edges of pasty should be brushed with a smidgen of water and then crimped VERY firmly with a fork (and I fold them and crimp again -- so none of the liquid seeps out).
8. Brush tops of finished pasties with milk to enhance the crust (it will bake to a beautiful golden brown).
9. NOTE: Like pastry dough, pasty dough should be handled as LITTLE as possible to ensure flakiness. So, *handle with care* !

Reviews

[Pale Rose]

Very easy, and very flaky and tasty! I used Crisco. I rolled out the "pastries" between two pieces of wax paper (as opposed to plastic wrap). I used this recipe with the Cornish Pastries recipe that you posted (Cornish Miners' Pasties).

This recipe also works well with butter (although it's flakier with the Crisco). I also used this recipe to make a crust for a chicken pot pie! I also love how easy it is to handle! This is my go-to recipe for a savory pastry crust! Thank you!

[Chocolate.]

The crust was perfect, I used it for making the pasties, and was very pleased! The crust turned out very flaky. The perfect pasty pastry recipe!

[RedHeadToToe]

I usually use my Grandmothers recipe which is made with lard but decided to try yours with shortening this year. This was great dough and was very easy to use, my Husband said this is his favorite pasty crust I have made.