Pastries are a delicious staple in both sweet and savory cuisine, offering endless options for indulgence. Whether you’re baking at home or enjoying a treat at a bakery, knowing what are the 7 types of pastry can help you choose or prepare the perfect dish. From light and flaky puff pastry to sturdy and versatile shortcrust, mastering the various types of pastry opens up a world of culinary possibilities. In this article, we’ll dive into what are the 7 types of pastry, how they’re made, and how to use them, so you can up your baking game and create mouth-watering delights.
1. Shortcrust Pastry: The Versatile Classic
What is Shortcrust Pastry?
When asking, what are the 7 types of pastry, shortcrust is often the first one to come to mind. Shortcrust pastry is a simple, sturdy dough made from flour, butter (or another type of fat), and a small amount of water. It’s prized for its crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture, which makes it perfect for a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
Uses of Shortcrust Pastry
Shortcrust pastry is incredibly versatile, answering the question of what are the 7 types of pastry with its wide range of applications. It’s commonly used to make pie crusts, tarts, quiches, and flans. If you’ve ever eaten a buttery pie crust or a crispy quiche base, chances are it was made with shortcrust pastry. It’s particularly forgiving, making it an excellent choice for beginners looking to explore what are the 7 types of pastry.
How to Make Shortcrust Pastry
The method for making shortcrust pastry is straightforward and ideal for those just starting to learn what are the 7 types of pastry. You’ll need:
- 1 part fat (typically butter)
- 2 parts flour
- A pinch of salt
- Water, as needed
To prepare it, rub the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Then, slowly add cold water until the dough forms. The key to great shortcrust is handling the dough as little as possible to avoid overworking it, which can make the pastry tough. Resting the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before rolling also helps to prevent shrinking during baking.
2. Puff Pastry: The Flaky, Elegant Favorite
What is Puff Pastry?
Among the answers to what are the 7 types of pastry, puff pastry stands out for its complex, flaky layers. It’s a laminated dough, meaning it’s made by repeatedly folding butter into the dough to create multiple thin layers. When baked, these layers separate, forming an airy, crispy texture.
Uses of Puff Pastry
Puff pastry is ideal for both sweet and savory dishes. Popular uses include croissants, turnovers, beef Wellington, and vol-au-vents. It’s also the base for many elegant desserts, such as mille-feuille or apple turnovers. The next time someone asks, what are the 7 types of pastry, impress them with puff pastry’s versatility in both indulgent meals and delicate sweets.
How to Make Puff Pastry
Making puff pastry from scratch can be time-consuming but rewarding if you’re serious about mastering what are the 7 types of pastry. You’ll need to alternate layers of dough and cold butter, folding and rolling the dough several times to create the layers that puff up when baked. The process requires patience, as the dough must be chilled between each fold to prevent the butter from melting into the dough.
For those who are short on time, ready-made puff pastry is widely available and performs well in most recipes.
3. Flaky Pastry: Easier but Still Delicious
What is Flaky Pastry?
Next on the list of what are the 7 types of pastry is flaky pastry, which is similar to puff pastry but slightly less involved. It still involves layering fat within the dough, but the method is more forgiving, making it a great choice for beginner bakers who still want that light, crispy texture.
Uses of Flaky Pastry
Flaky pastry is perfect for dishes like sausage rolls, savory pies, and some sweet pastries like vanilla slices or jam turnovers. Its texture falls somewhere between shortcrust and puff pastry, which is why it’s a popular choice when learning what are the 7 types of pastry. You can also use it as a substitute for puff pastry in many recipes when you’re short on time.
How to Make Flaky Pastry
The preparation of flaky pastry follows similar principles to puff pastry but with fewer folds and a more relaxed approach to layering the fat. This makes it a quicker option for those exploring what are the 7 types of pastry. The result is a dough that rises when baked, creating delicious, flaky layers, but without the intricate laminating process of puff pastry.
4. Rough Puff Pastry: A Quicker Alternative
What is Rough Puff Pastry?
Rough puff pastry is an excellent solution if you’re exploring what are the 7 types of pastry and want a quicker alternative to traditional puff pastry. This pastry is a hybrid of puff and flaky pastry, offering a layered texture without as much time or effort.
Uses of Rough Puff Pastry
Rough puff pastry is a fantastic choice for those who need pastry in a hurry but still want a somewhat flaky texture. It’s commonly used for savory pies, tarts, and sausage rolls, offering versatility and ease when learning what are the 7 types of pastry.
How to Make Rough Puff Pastry
To make rough puff pastry, you simply incorporate large chunks of butter into the dough before rolling and folding it a few times. The butter is not distributed as evenly as in traditional puff pastry, resulting in less rise and slightly less flaky layers. However, it’s still a fantastic alternative if you’re looking to experiment with what are the 7 types of pastry but need to save some time.
5. Choux Pastry: The Hollow Hero of Desserts
What is Choux Pastry?
Choux pastry is unique in the world of pastries because it doesn’t rely on fat for its rise. Instead, its hollow structure is achieved through steam, making it a key player when discussing what are the 7 types of pastry. This dough is made by cooking flour with water and butter, then beating in eggs.
Uses of Choux Pastry
Choux pastry is the basis for many famous French desserts, including éclairs, cream puffs (profiteroles), and beignets. Its light, airy texture and ability to hold cream fillings make it an irresistible option for anyone delving into what are the 7 types of pastry.
How to Make Choux Pastry
To make choux pastry, you first cook the dough on the stovetop, then incorporate eggs one at a time. This creates a dough that, when baked, puffs up into hollow shells perfect for filling. It’s an impressive pastry to master when discovering what are the 7 types of pastry and offers endless opportunities for delicious desserts.
6. Filo Pastry: Thin, Crisp, and Delicate
What is Filo Pastry?
Filo, or phyllo, pastry is another standout in the conversation of what are the 7 types of pastry. Originating from the Middle East, this paper-thin pastry is layered with butter or oil and is known for its crisp, delicate texture when baked.
Uses of Filo Pastry
Filo pastry is commonly used in traditional dishes like baklava, spanakopita, and börek. Its extremely thin layers create a crispy, flaky finish when baked. If you’re looking to diversify your baking repertoire, filo pastry is a must when exploring what are the 7 types of pastry.
How to Make Filo Pastry
Making filo pastry from scratch requires skill and patience, as the dough must be rolled out incredibly thin. However, ready-made filo pastry is readily available and works wonderfully in most recipes, making it easier for beginners who are still learning what are the 7 types of pastry.
7. Hot Water Crust Pastry: The Sturdy, Savory Staple
What is Hot Water Crust Pastry?
Rounding out our list of what are the 7 types of pastry is hot water crust pastry, a rich, sturdy dough made with hot water and melted fat. This pastry is most often used in savory dishes and has a distinctive heavy, dense texture.
Uses of Hot Water Crust Pastry
Hot water crust pastry is the go-to for traditional British meat pies and pasties. Its durability makes it perfect for holding rich, savory fillings. When answering the question what are the 7 types of pastry, hot water crust pastry offers a different, hearty option compared to the lighter, flakier alternatives.
How to Make Hot Water Crust Pastry
To make hot water crust pastry, you heat water and fat together, then mix it with flour to form a dough. Unlike other pastries, this dough is worked while still warm and can be molded into pie cases or hand pies. If you’re exploring what are the 7 types of pastry and want a savory option, this is the perfect choice.
Laminated vs. Unlaminated Pastries: What’s the Difference?
When discussing what are the 7 types of pastry, it’s essential to understand the difference between laminated and unlaminated pastries. Laminated pastries, like puff and flaky pastry, involve folding layers of butter into the dough, creating a light, flaky texture. Unlaminated pastries, like shortcrust and hot water crust, have fat evenly mixed into the dough, resulting in a sturdier, more crumbly texture.
Conclusion: Exploring What Are the 7 Types of Pastry
Now that you’ve explored what are the 7 types of pastry, you’re armed with the knowledge to tackle a wide range of recipes, from light and flaky pastries to rich, savory crusts. Each pastry has its unique characteristics, and understanding the differences between them will help you achieve better results in your baking.
FAQs
What is the easiest type of pastry for beginners?
Shortcrust pastry is the easiest for beginners due to its forgiving nature.
Can I buy ready-made versions of these pastries?
Yes, many of these pastries, like puff and filo, are available pre-made in grocery stores.
Which pastry is best for savory dishes?
Hot water crust pastry is ideal for savory pies and pasties.
How can I store homemade pastry dough?
Most pastry doughs can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
What makes laminated doughs flaky?
The layers of butter and dough, created by folding, cause laminated pastries to puff up and become flaky when baked.