Making Pastry by Machine

Doughs can be prepared in an electric mixer or in small batches in a food processor, but be careful not to overwork the dough. An electric mixer does a good job of cutting the butter into the flour. It helps also to get round the problem of handling the mixture too much, thus making the butter soft and the dough oily. As soon as the dough begins to form a clump, it should be taken out of the work bowl and kneaded with the heel of the hand until it is pliable. Never let the dough form a ball when working it by machine. Any dough made in a machine, especially a food processor, will need to rest thoroughly to “relax” the gluten.