Active Time

　　20 min

　　Total Time

　　1 1/4 hr

　　There's a reason that we use this recipe time and time again—it results in a flaky pastry that we think is simply the best.

　　

Ingredients

Makes enough for 1 double-crust 11-inch tart

　　2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

　　1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

　　1/4 cup cold vegetable shortening (preferably trans-fat-free)

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　7 to 9 tablespoons ice water

　　

Special Equipment

a pastry or bench scraper

　　

Step 1

Blend together flour, butter, shortening, and salt in a bowl with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) until most of mixture resembles coarse meal with some small (roughly pea-size) butter lumps. Drizzle evenly with 7 tablespoons ice water and gently stir with a fork (or pulse in processor) until incorporated.

　　

Step 2

Squeeze a small handful: If it doesn't hold together, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring (or pulsing) until incorporated, then test again. (Do not overwork mixture, or pastry will be tough.)

　　

Step 3

Turn mixture out onto a work surface and divide into 8 portions. With heel of your hand, smear each portion once or twice in a forward motion to help distribute fat. Gather two thirds of dough together with scraper and press into a ball. Repeat with remaining dough, then flatten each ball into a 5-inch disk. Wrap disks separately in plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 1 hour.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Dough can be chilled up to 1 week.