Hot water crust pastry facts for kids
Melton Mowbray pork pie made with hot water crust pastry
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| Type | Pastry |
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| Place of origin | England |
| Main ingredients | Hot water, lard, flour |
Hot water crust is a special type of pastry often used for savoury (not sweet) pies. Think of delicious pork pies or game pies! This pastry is super strong and holds its shape well, which is why it's perfect for pies that are often eaten cold or have a lot of filling. It's especially famous in England.
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What Makes Hot Water Crust Special?
This pastry gets its name because it's made using hot water. Unlike other pastries that use cold butter or fat, hot water crust pastry starts with hot water and melted fat. This unique way of making it gives the pastry a firm, sturdy texture. It's not flaky like a normal pie crust, but rather strong and crumbly, perfect for holding juicy fillings.
How Hot Water Crust is Made
Making hot water crust pastry is a fun process!
- First, water is heated up, and a type of fat, usually lard, is melted into it.
- This hot mixture is then brought to a boil.
- Next, flour is added to the hot liquid. You can either beat the flour into the mixture while it's still in the pan, or you can knead it on a pastry board.
- The result is a warm, slightly sticky dough. This dough is then ready to be shaped.
Shaping Your Pie
One of the coolest things about hot water crust pastry is how it can be shaped by hand. This is called "hand-raising."
- You can shape the warm dough by hand, sometimes using a bowl or dish as a guide for the inside of the pie.
- As the pastry cools, it keeps its shape. This means you can make tall, freestanding pies!
- After shaping, the pie is filled, and another layer of pastry is added on top to seal it.
When pies are made this way, they might not look perfectly smooth. They can have a bit of a "sag" or unevenness after baking. But don't worry, this is actually a sign that the pie was made by hand, which many people think makes it even more special! Of course, you can also bake this pastry in a mould, just like other pies, for a neater look.
What is it Used For?
Hot water crust pastry is most famous for making traditional English pork pies. Because the pastry is so strong, it can hold wet or juicy fillings without getting soggy. It creates a sturdy "crust" around the filling, keeping everything neatly inside. It's also used for other savoury pies like game pies.
