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Brazilian recipe

Crispy Homemade Dough for Pastel (Massa de pastel)

Learn how to make a light, crispy dough for homemade pastéis. With just a few ingredients, you can achieve a thin, versatile pastry perfectly suited for your favorite fillings.

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30 min preparation 10 min cooking 6 portions 1207 product views
Crispy Homemade Dough for Pastel (Massa de pastel)

Ingredients

1 tbsp salt
200ml warm water
Filling of your choice, prepared and cooled
2 tbsp vegetable oil or melted lard
1 tbsp white vinegar
500g all-purpose flour

Where to find ingredients

You can find all-purpose flour, white vinegar, and vegetable oil at local supermarkets or general grocery shops. Lard can often be sourced from local butcher shops or specialized deli sections in the market.

Preparation method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
  2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil (or lard) and the vinegar.
  3. Gradually pour in the warm water while mixing by hand until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.
  4. Transfer the dough to a smooth work surface and knead vigorously until it reaches a soft and homogeneous texture.
  5. If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if the dough is too stiff, or a dusting of flour if it feels sticky.
  6. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 20 minutes.
  7. Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is very thin.
  8. Cut the dough into your desired shapes and sizes.
  9. Place a portion of your chosen filling in the center of the dough and close it, pressing the edges firmly to seal.
  10. Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they are golden brown.
  11. Drain any excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

Observations

This pastel dough is a true staple of Brazilian cuisine, cherished for its signature crunch and simplicity to prepare from scratch. The key to a professional result lies in kneading the dough thoroughly until smooth and rolling it out until paper-thin. This method ensures your pastéis turn out golden, flaky, and never greasy after deep-frying.
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Preparation method

Step-by-step images

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
Step 2

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil (or lard) and the vinegar.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil (or lard) and the vinegar.
Step 3

Gradually pour in the warm water while mixing by hand until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.

Gradually pour in the warm water while mixing by hand until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.
Step 4

Transfer the dough to a smooth work surface and knead vigorously until it reaches a soft and homogeneous texture.

Transfer the dough to a smooth work surface and knead vigorously until it reaches a soft and homogeneous texture.
Step 5

If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if the dough is too stiff, or a dusting of flour if it feels sticky.

If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if the dough is too stiff, or a dusting of flour if it feels sticky.
Step 6

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 20 minutes.
Step 7

Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is very thin.

Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is very thin.
Step 8

Cut the dough into your desired shapes and sizes.

Cut the dough into your desired shapes and sizes.
Step 9

Place a portion of your chosen filling in the center of the dough and close it, pressing the edges firmly to seal.

Place a portion of your chosen filling in the center of the dough and close it, pressing the edges firmly to seal.
Step 10

Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they are golden brown.

Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they are golden brown.
Step 11

Drain any excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

Drain any excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.
Final result

Crispy Homemade Dough for Pastel (Massa de pastel)

Crispy Homemade Dough for Pastel (Massa de pastel)

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