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The Dough That Holds Everything Together: Simple Ingredients, Infinite Possibilities

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: International
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 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

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt until combined.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 2–3 minutes until smooth.
  5. Cover and let the dough rest at room temperature for 15–30 minutes before using.
  6. Roll out and shape as desired for flatbreads, pastries, galettes, or hand pies.
  7. 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.