Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons frozen unsalted butter, 1/2 inch cubes (4 ounces or 113 grams)
- 1-1/3 cups + 4 teaspoon pastry flour (6.5 ounces or 184 grams)
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking powder (preferably Rumford or another non-aluminum variety)
- 1-3 ounce package cream cheese, cut into 4 pieces and chilled
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
Preparation
Step 1
Food Processor Method
1) Process flour, salt, and baking powder to blend.
2) Add cream cheese and process until coarse.
3) Add butter cubes and pulse until peanut size.
4) Add cream and vinegar and pulse until butter is the size of small peas.
5) Scrape dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Use latex gloves or cover hands with plastic bags and press dough until it holds together in one smooth flat disc.
6) Wrap, and refrigerate 45 minutes before rolling.
Notes: Baking powder containing aluminum has a bitter flavor. Most health food stores and many supermarkets carry the calcium variety.You can eliminate the baking powder and double the salt but the crust will be less tender.
*If not using pastry flour to achieve the same tenderness use 2/3 bleached all-purpose flour and 1/3 cake flour