Basic Puff Pastry

1/4 c Butter

1 3/4 c All-purpose flour; chilled

1/2 c Water; cold

3/4 c Butter; softened

1/4 c All-purpose flour; chilled

Recipe by: Southern Living

Cut 1/4 cup butter into 1-3/4 cups flour with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle cold water (1 tablespoon at a time) evenly over surface; stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball, and wrap in waxed paper. Chill 15 minutes. Combine 3/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup flour; stir until smooth. Shape

mixture into a 6-inch square on waxed paper. Chill 5 minutes. Roll pastry into a 15-inch circle on a lightly floured surface; place chilled butter mixture in center of pastry. Fold left side of pastry over butter; fold right side of pastry over left. Fold upper and lower edges of pastry over butter, making a thick square. Working quickly, place dough, folded side down, on a lightly floured surface; roll dough into a 20- x 8-inch rectangle. Fold rectangle into thirds, beginning with short side. Roll pastry into another 20- x 8-inch rectangle; again fold rectangle into thirds. Wrap dough in wax paper, and chill about 2 hours. Repeat rolling, folding, and chilling process 2 additional Pastry.
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