Crispy and Flaky Stick Pies
Irresistibly Layered Stick Pies
Introducing our incredible Stick Pies, boasting a satisfyingly crisp texture with every bite! These pies are perfect for a simple yet delightful treat that the whole family can enjoy. By cutting the pie dough into stick shapes, they become incredibly easy to handle and eat, making them dangerously addictive. The secret to achieving that perfect flaky texture? Keeping all your ingredients ice-cold! Cold butter and water are key to creating those wonderful layers, so remember this crucial tip!
Pie Dough- 200g all-purpose flour
- 145g cold butter, cut into cubes
- 2g salt
- 72g ice-cold water (salt dissolved in water)
For Coating- Approx. 60g sugar
- Bread flour for dusting
- Approx. 60g sugar
- Bread flour for dusting
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Sift the 200g of all-purpose flour into a large bowl. Add the 145g of cold butter, which has been cut into cubes, to the flour. Keeping the butter cold is essential for creating well-defined layers in your pastry.
Step 2
Using a pastry blender or a scraper, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with pieces of butter about the size of small peas. This process helps create flaky layers.
Step 3
Once the mixture has a crumbly texture, gradually pour in the 72g of ice-cold water with the dissolved salt. Mix gently with a rubber spatula until the dough just starts to come together into a cohesive mass. Avoid overmixing, as this can toughen the pastry.
Step 4
When the dough begins to clump together, use your hands to quickly form it into a single ball. Work the dough as little as possible to ensure a tender and flaky result. Speed is key here!
Step 5
Lightly dust a piece of plastic wrap with some bread flour. Place the dough onto the plastic wrap and roughly shape it into a rectangle. Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up.
Step 6
Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough into a long rectangle, aiming for a thickness of about 3-4mm. Ensure your surface is well-dusted to prevent sticking.
Step 7
Fold one-third of the dough towards the center, like folding a letter. If there’s excess flour on the surface, gently brush it off with a pastry brush to ensure clean folds.
Step 8
Fold the remaining one-third of the dough over the first fold, creating a neat tri-fold. This layering technique is what gives the pie its signature flaky texture.
Step 9
Wrap the folded dough in plastic wrap again and refrigerate for about 20 minutes. This resting period allows the butter to re-chill and the dough to become easier to handle for the next rolling step.
Step 10
Repeat the ‘roll, fold, and chill’ process two more times, for a total of three repetitions. Each time you take the dough out to roll, ensure the open side is facing upwards. This helps maintain the layers.
Step 11
After completing the three roll-and-fold cycles with chilling in between, remove the dough from the refrigerator. Roll it out into a long rectangle measuring approximately 14cm by 30cm. Aim for a thinness of about 2-3mm.
Step 12
Trim the edges of the rectangle to create clean sides. Using a fork, prick the surface of the dough with holes; this prevents it from puffing up too much during baking. Cut the dough in half lengthwise into two equal pieces.
Step 13
Cut each half into approximately 10-11 equal stick shapes. Generously coat both sides of each stick with the prepared sugar. Since the dough itself doesn’t contain much sugar, coating it well ensures a sweet and delicious finish.
Step 14
Arrange the sugar-coated stick pies on a baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Preheat your oven to 210°C (410°F). Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 190°C (375°F) and bake for another 8 minutes, for a total of 18 minutes.
Step 15
Once the stick pies are golden brown and beautifully baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Enjoy your perfectly crispy and flaky homemade stick pies!
