Name: Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: Plain flour (250g): The base for the pastry.; Cold butter (125g, diced): Adds richness and creates a flaky texture.; Salt (a pinch): Enhances the flavor, especially for savory dishes.; Cold water (3-4 tbsp): Bring the dough together without making it too wet.; Egg (1 beaten, optional): For brushing the pastry if you’re making a savory pie or tart.

This Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry recipe is a versatile and classic base for pies, tarts, and quiches. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this pastry comes together quickly and results in a crisp, buttery crust that pairs perfectly with both sweet and savory fillings.

What is Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry?

Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry is a simple pastry dough made from flour, butter, and a bit of cold water. The key to a perfect shortcrust pastry is to work the ingredients together lightly, ensuring that the pastry is crumbly and buttery without being tough. This recipe is great for a variety of dishes, whether you’re making a savory pie or a sweet tart.

Other Popular Recipes

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Simple ingredients: Use basic pantry staples that you likely already have at home.
Versatile: Perfect for both sweet and savory pies, tarts, and quiches.
Crispy and flaky texture: The pastry turns out buttery and crisp, ideal for a variety of fillings.

Quick and easy: With just a few steps, you can prepare a homemade pastry from scratch.
Perfect for any occasion: Whether for a special meal or everyday baking, this pastry is a must-have recipe.

Ingredients Needed to Make Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry

Plain flour (250g): The base for the pastry.

Cold butter (125g, diced): Adds richness and creates a flaky texture.
Salt (a pinch): Enhances the flavor, especially for savory dishes.
Cold water (3-4 tbsp): Bring the dough together without making it too wet.

Egg (1 beaten, optional): For brushing the pastry if you’re making a savory pie or tart.

Equipment

Mixing bowl
Knife or pastry cutter

Rolling pin
Cling film
Pastry brush (optional)

Instructions to Make Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry

Prepare the ingredients: Measure out your flour and butter, and chill the butter if it’s not already cold. Cold butter is key to achieving a flaky pastry.
Mix the flour and butter: In a large mixing bowl, add the flour and a pinch of salt. Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, rub the cold butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
Add the water: Gradually add the cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough starts to come together. You want just enough water to bind the dough without making it too wet.

Form the dough: Gather the dough into a ball with your hands, wrap it in cling film, and flatten it slightly into a disc. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
Roll out the dough: Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out the chilled dough to about 3-4mm thickness, turning it occasionally to ensure even rolling.
Use the pastry: Line your pie or tart tin with the rolled-out dough, trimming the edges if necessary. For savory pies, brush the pastry with a beaten egg for a golden finish. Prick the base of the pastry with a fork to prevent air bubbles during baking.

Chill again (optional): For best results, chill the pastry again in the tin for about 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps prevent shrinking during baking.
Bake or fill: Pre-bake (blind bake) if required, or fill with your desired filling and bake according to your recipe.

What Goes Well with Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry?

Sweet fillings: Use this pastry for apple pie, lemon tart, or jam tarts.

Savory pies: Ideal for quiches, chicken pot pies, and meat pies.
Tart fillings: Works well with savory tarts like tomato or spinach and cheese tarts.
Custard-based dishes: Perfect for custard pies and quiches.

Fruit-based desserts: Fill with fresh fruit for delicious tarts.

Expert Tips for Making the Best Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry

Keep the butter cold: Cold butter helps create flaky layers in the pastry. If the butter starts to soften, pop the mixture in the fridge to chill before continuing.
Don’t overwork the dough: Overworking can make the pastry tough instead of light and crumbly. Handle it gently and stop as soon as the dough comes together.

Rest the dough: Chilling the dough after making it allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender crust.
Blind bake for custard-based dishes: If using the pastry for custard-based pies or tarts, blind bake it first to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
Use an egg wash: Brushing the pastry with a beaten egg gives it a lovely golden color and a glossy finish, perfect for savory dishes.

Easy Variations of Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry

Sweet shortcrust pastry: Add 1-2 tablespoons of sugar to the flour mixture for a sweeter pastry, perfect for desserts like pies and tarts.
Wholemeal version: Substitute some of the plain flour with wholemeal flour for a nuttier, more wholesome pastry.
Herb-infused pastry: For savory pies, add chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the dough for extra flavor.

Cheese pastry: Add a handful of grated cheddar cheese to the dough for a cheesy shortcrust, perfect for quiches or savory tarts.

Best Practices to Store Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry

Refrigerate the dough: You can store the dough wrapped in cling film in the fridge for up to 2 days before using.
Freeze for later: Shortcrust pastry can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in cling film and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling out.

Pre-baked pastry: If you have pre-baked pastry shells, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.

Best Practices to Reheat Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry

Reheat in the oven: To maintain the crispiness of the pastry, reheat any baked pies or tarts in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-15 minutes.
Avoid the microwave: Microwaving can make the pastry soggy, so it’s best to use the oven for reheating.

How Can I Make Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry Healthier?

Use wholemeal flour: Swap out half of the plain flour for wholemeal flour to add more fiber and nutrients to the pastry.
Reduce the butter: You can reduce the butter slightly, but be careful not to compromise the pastry’s flakiness.
Try dairy-free butter: For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter substitutes that are firm and can be chilled.

Nutrition Value (per serving):

Calories: 200
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 20g

Protein: 3g
Fiber: 1g

FAQs

How do I prevent shortcrust pastry from shrinking?

To prevent shortcrust pastry from shrinking, ensure you chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. After lining the tin, chill it again for another 15-20 minutes. Avoid stretching the dough when fitting it into the tin, as this can cause shrinkage during baking.

Can I freeze shortcrust pastry dough?

Yes, shortcrust pastry dough freezes well. Wrap the dough tightly in cling film and store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.

How do I blind-bake shortcrust pastry?

To blind-bake shortcrust pastry, line the pastry with parchment paper and fill it with baking beans or dried rice to weigh it down. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10-15 minutes, then remove the beans and bake for another 5-7 minutes until lightly golden.

Can I use shortcrust pastry for sweet and savory dishes?

Yes, shortcrust pastry is versatile and can be used for both sweet and savory dishes. For sweet recipes like pies and tarts, you can add a bit of sugar to the dough. For savory dishes, keep the dough as is or add herbs for extra flavor.

Final Words

The Hairy Bikers Shortcrust Pastry is a must-have recipe in your cooking repertoire, perfect for both sweet and savory dishes.

More By British Baking Recipes