Nut Pastry Recipe – How to Make Nut Shortcrust Pastry

Nut pastry is a variant on Shortcrust Pastry and just as easy to make. Use for savoury flans, pies, tarts and tartlets, pasties, quiches and turnovers etc. It is especially good with fillings of chicken, eggs and white fish. The nuts add valuable protein to vegetarian dishes as well.  You can use most nuts for this pastry but my favourite has to be walnuts followed by pistachio nuts.

Mixed Nuts for Nut Shortcrust Pastry

Mixed Nuts for Nut Shortcrust Pastry

Just like standard shortcrust pastry, this nut shortcrust pastry will keep in the fridge for a few days and can be frozen. Why not make double and freeze half, saving you work later on? It can be made by hand or by using a food processor.

Ingredients for Nut Shortcrust Pastry Recipe:

  • 8 oz (225 g) plain flour
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 oz (56 g) butter or margarine
  • 2 oz (56 g) lard or hard vegetable fat
  • 1oz to 1½oz very finely chopped nuts.walnuts, pecans, peanuts, hazel or cashew nuts.
  • Water

Note: You can use most any nut – walnuts, pecans, peanuts, hazel, almond, pistachio or cashew nuts or  mixed nuts if you prefer.

Method for Making Nut Shortcrust Pastry by Hand:

  1. Sieve the flour and salt together into a bowl. Add the fat and, with a knife, cut into small pieces.
  2. Rub the fat into the flour with the fingertips until the mixture resembles find breadcrumbs.
  3. Add the very finely chopped nuts and mix well
  4. Add the water and mix to a stiff dough.
  5. Turn on to a lightly floured board. Kneed lightly with the fingertip until free from cracks.
  6. Roll out and use for savoury pastry dishes.

Method for Making Nut Shortcrust Pastry Using a Food Processor:

  1. Sieve the flour and salt together into the bowl. Add the fat, cut into small pieces.
  2. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
  3. Add the very finely chopped nuts and  mix on slow for 10 seconds or so.
  4. Add the lemon juice and enough water and mix to a stiff dough, when it forms a ball in the bowl.
  5. Turn on to a lightly floured board. Kneed lightly with the fingertips until free from cracks.
  6. Roll out and use for savoury pastry dishes.

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