A pastry blender, or pastry cutter, is a device used to mix a hard (solid) fat into flour in order to make pastries. The tool is usually made of narrow metal strips or wires attached to a handle, and is used by pressing down on the items to be mixed (known as “cutting in”).
Pastry Cutter Substitutes
A few common kitchen tools can be used instead of a pastry cutter. Youll simply want to follow a few tips to make them work out as well and maintain the desired effect for your recipe.
- Fork: Cut the butter (or whatever fat youre using) into small pieces. Add it to the bowl with your flour and other dry ingredients. Then, use a fork to mash the butter into the flour, until you achieve a crumbly consistency.
- Butter Knives: Add small pieces of butter to the bowl of ingredients and hold one butter knife in each hand. Work both knives over the ingredients until the butter and dry ingredients are well combined.
- Food Processor: Pulse small pieces of butter and the dry ingredients in your food processor until you achieve a nice, crumbly texture. It wont take long—just a minute or two—so be careful not to overwork the dough.
- Your Hands: Work the butter into the flour with your hands. Just squeeze the ingredients between your fingers to break up the butter and bring everything together. Try to keep your hands cold and dry, and work quickly, so the butter doesnt melt.
- Cheese Grater: Grate the butter with a box grater, then mix it into the dry ingredients. Use cold butter, so it grates easily. You even can use frozen butter.
What Is a Pastry Cutter?
If you do a lot of baking, a pastry cutter may be a worthwhile addition to your collection of kitchen gadgets. Its a u-shaped, hand-held tool with a series of dull blades or wires at the bottom, and a handle at the top. Its designed specifically for cutting solid fats into the flour.
If you decide to buy one, opt for a model with blades rather than wire as it will be a lot sturdier. Additionally, choose stainless steel because it wont rust. For most cooks, one pastry cutter should last a lifetime.
Cooking Tips : How to Use a Pastry Blender
FAQ
What is another name for a pastry cutter?
What do you do with a pastry cutter?
What can I use if I don’t have a pastry cutter?
Can I use a potato masher instead of a pastry cutter?
What is a pastry cutter used for?
A pastry cutter, which also goes by the name of pastry blender or dough blender, is a kitchen tool that has been designed to work with solid fats such as butter cubes, as well as shortening and making pastry dough. Typically, pastry cutters are mainly used while making pie crust, biscuits, and other baked goods.
What is a pastry blender & pastry cutter?
A pastry blender and pastry cutter are different names for the same handheld tool used to cut butter into flour for pastry dough. This tool features a series of metal strips or wires looped around and connected to a handle. This tool requires you to press it into your butter and flour mixture over and over until you get the right texture.
How do pastry cutters work?
Pastry cutters are typically made with a handle on one end attached to small steel blades or wires that are fairly close together. The ends may make it easier to get shortening or butter thoroughly mixed into flour, which is usually important for making good pie crusts and some breads.
What is a pastry cutter wheel?
What is a pastry cutter? A pastry cutter wheel is a half-moon-shaped device you can use to cut butter or fat for making pastry dough. A pastry cutter has 4 to 5 narrow blades connected to both ends in a curved shape. It moves from one side to another with a rocking motion and cuts the dry ingredients or lumps to mix all the ingredients smoothly.