- Use an electric mixer with the beater attachment or a bowl and a wooden spoon to cream the butter and caster sugar together. The mixture should be light in colour and slightly fluffy in texture.
- Beat the eggs and add gradually with the teaspoon of Steenbergs Organic Fairtrade vanilla extract, mixing all the time. If the mixture starts to split, you can add a tablespoon of flour, however it shouldn’t split as long as everything isn’t too cold.
- Once all the egg has been incorporated, you can add the flour and continue to mix until a smooth dough is formed. The pastry should be soft but not sticky, if it sticks to your finger when poked just add a bit more flour.
- You can leave the pastry in a cool place (not the fridge) for half an hour to relax although it is fine to use it straight away. Roll out on a well floured surface. It doesn’t keep well in the fridge as it becomes hard and unworkable although any excess is fine to make into shells and freeze for later use.