Description
This simple, four-ingredient dough is the foundation of countless homemade creations. Soft, buttery, and versatile, it requires only flour, water, salt, and butter—making it the perfect go-to recipe when your pantry is low but your creativity is high.
Ingredients
Scale
- Less than 4 cups of white flour (about 410 g)
- 1.5 cups of water (about 300 ml)
- 1 teaspoon of salt (about 6 g)
- 160 g cold butter, cut into cubes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt until combined.
- Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Slowly pour in the water while mixing with a spoon or your hands until a rough dough forms. It should be soft but not overly sticky.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 2–3 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and let the dough rest at room temperature for 15–30 minutes before using.
- Roll out and shape as desired for flatbreads, pastries, galettes, or hand pies.
- Bake or cook according to your specific recipe needs.
Notes
- Resting the dough allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out and preventing shrinkage during baking.
- For extra flavor, you can add dried herbs or spices to the flour before mixing.
- Store unused dough wrapped in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for later use.
- Works beautifully as a savory tart base or for rustic-style pizza.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked or Pan-cooked
- Cuisine: International