Rubbing in

  • 10 March 2022

About this technique

Skill level

Easy

Equipment

Mixing bowl

'Rubbing in' is a technique where flour is rubbed into a fat to make dishes such as shortcrust pastry, crumbles and scones.

Use small cubes of chilled butter and sifted flour. If you prefer to use a food processor for this technique, use the pulse button in brief spurts to avoid overmixing the ingredients.

• Using your fingertips, rub the flour and butter together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs (fine or coarse, depending on the recipe).

• Lift the mixture up as you rub it in so that the air going through it keeps it cool.

• Shake the bowl every so often to bring the larger lumps of butter to the surface.

Recipes using this technique