Homemade Puff Pastry

Ingredients

All-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups

Unsalted butter

1 cup (cold, cubed)

Salt

1 teaspoon

Ice water

6-8 tablespoons

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt until evenly combined.
2. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining for that coveted flakiness.
3. Gradually add the ice water, starting with a few tablespoons at a time. Mix gently until the dough begins to come together. Be careful not to overmix; the key to flakiness is to keep the butter pieces intact.
4. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a rectangle about 1 inch thick.
5. Roll out the dough into a long rectangle, approximately 1/4 inch thick, ensuring an even thickness throughout to promote uniform puffing.
6. Fold the bottom third of the dough up towards the center, then fold the top third down over it, similar to folding a letter. Rotate the dough 90 degrees.
7. Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes between each fold. This keeps the butter cold and firm, which is crucial for achieving those flaky layers.
8. After the final fold, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. This resting period allows the gluten to relax, enhancing the texture of the pastry.
9. Your homemade puff pastry is now ready to be rolled out and used in your favorite recipes! Enjoy the flaky deliciousness that will impress your family and friends.