Flaky pastry facts for kids
Meat pie with flaky pastry
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| Alternative names | Quick puff pastry, blitz puff pastry |
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| Type | Pastry |
| Main ingredients | Flour, butter |
| Similar dishes | Chinese flaky pastry |
Flaky pastry, also known as quick pastry or rough puff, is a special kind of pastry. It is light and thin, and it doesn't use yeast to rise. It's a bit like puff pastry, but it's made in a slightly different way. People often call it "quick pastry" because it takes less time to prepare than traditional puff pastry.
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What is Flaky Pastry?
Flaky pastry gets its name from its texture. When you bake it, it separates into many thin, crispy layers, almost like flakes. This happens because of how the butter is mixed into the dough.
How Flaky Pastry is Made
To make flaky pastry, large pieces of butter (about 1 inch or 2.5 cm big) are mixed into the dough. This is different from puff pastry, where a large, flat block of butter is folded into the dough.
After the butter is mixed in, the dough is then rolled and folded many times. This process is similar to how puff pastry is made. Each time the dough is rolled and folded, it creates more layers.
Why it's Flaky
The secret to flaky pastry's texture is the large chunks of butter. These butter pieces keep the layers of dough separate from each other. When the pastry is baked, the water in the butter turns into steam. This steam pushes the layers apart, creating those wonderful flakes.
This is different from puff pastry. In puff pastry, the butter is spread in thin, even layers between the dough. This creates many uniform sheets of pastry when baked, rather than distinct flakes.
What Flaky Pastry is Used For
Flaky pastry is very versatile. It's used to make many delicious foods, including:
- Pasties
- Turnovers
- Sausage rolls
- Plaits (braided pastries, often with fillings)
These treats are popular snacks and meals around the world. The flaky texture adds a delightful crunch to both sweet and savory dishes.
See also
In Spanish: Masa escamosa para niños
