Pâte Brisée [paht bree-ZAY] is a French term for “short pastry”. It is a rich, flaky dough used for sweet and savory crusts for pies, tarts, quiches, etc. This dough is very forgiving and easy to work with, if it rips when rolling it out simply press it back together. This recipe has been updated to include a soaking period, in which the small amount of vinegar added will work on the Phytic Acid (anti-nutrients) in the flour; thus neutralizing them…making it more easily digestible and more nutritious.
- 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 teaspoon unrefined sea salt (decrease, or omit, if using salted butter)
- 1 teaspoon rapadura or sucanat
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
- 1 Tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 to 3 Tablespoons ice water, as needed
In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Pulse once or twice to combine.
Add cold butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 8 to 10 seconds.
With machine running, add vinegar. If mixture is still dry, not holding together in a ball, add ice water 1 Tbsp. at a time until it does.
Pat dough into a uniform ball. Flatten ball into a 1/2-inch thick disc and wrap tightly in plastic.
Allow to sit overnight, about 8 hours, at room temperature.
Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 2+ hours (or overnight) until firm and cold.
You may have to let the dough warm up slightly before rolling out. Use plenty of flour and/or roll the dough between waxed paper to keep it from sticking.
Use as called for in your favorite pie, tart, or quiche recipe.
Tip: Dough may be frozen, and stored in freezer for up to 1 month.
Makes 1 single-crust, 9- to 10-inch pie or tart.
I left the dough out longer than 8 hours and it developed white spots. Is 8 hours the upper limit for the overnight rest? Thank you!
I left my dough out overnight but got busy and realized it had been 14 hours before I got to it instead of 8. It had developed white spots! What is the time limit for the overnight resting?
Also, I was wondering if tallow (beef) could be used instead of butter for extra flakiness? Thank you!
I am interested in making this pie crust recipe, but am wondering if I can substitute lard for the butter. Thanks!
Barb, I’ve never tried lard in this pie crust recipe so I couldn’t tell you if it would work. We do not use lard because, for health reasons, we don’t eat pork products of any kind.
There have been studies done showing how pork can make the blood coagulate. If you’re interested see this article, How Does Pork Prepared in Various Ways Affect the Blood (Weston A Price).
Made this crust with white flour for my Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. It is delicious. Reminds me of a danish with its lovely pastry flavor. Will be my go-to crust from now on. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it Margot 🙂
I made an apple pie with this crust this evening and it turned out wonderful. Never thought I would like a wheat crust so much.
I doubled the recipe and froze the second half. Can’t wait to see how it is with a quiche or a pot pie with a stuffing top crust or something.
Thank you so much for sharing this!