Golden Brown Pastry with a Crispy Crust
Golden Brown Pastry with a Crispy Crust is a versatile, buttery dough that bakes up flaky, tender, and beautifully golden. Perfect for sweet or savory fillings, it’s ideal for hand pies, galettes, turnovers, or savory pockets—giving you bakery-quality results right from your kitchen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 individual pastries or 1 large 9-inch pie
- Category: Pastry, Baking
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Universal
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6–8 tbsp ice water
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional fillings: fruit preserves, chocolate, cheese, vegetables, or cooked meats
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing just until dough comes together (do not overwork).
- Form into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut and shape as needed.
- Add desired filling to each piece, fold or cover, and seal edges if necessary.
- Brush tops with beaten egg and place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
- Cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Keep butter and water cold for maximum flakiness.
- Sweeten the dough with a tablespoon of sugar for desserts.
- Use milk or cream instead of egg for a vegan or matte finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
