While a food processor makes it easy, not everyone has access to that appliance. Enter the pastry blender. A pastry blender, also known as a “pastry cutter” or “dough blender,” is a hand ...

Once you’ve got a good mixing bowl, use the pastry blender to press the blades into the butter until it is integrated into ...

In a large bowl, whisk the flour with the salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Lightly beat the egg with the water and sprinkle over the flour ...

Add butter and, working quickly, use your hands or a pastry blender to cut butter into flour until pea-size clumps form. In a small bowl, beat egg and yolk with 3 tablespoons ice water.

Mix flour, sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in 5 tablespoons of the water, until just moistened.

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But forget the old trick of using two knives to cut in the shortening. Consign the task to a pastry blender; nothing is faster or easier to use in dividing the shortening into minuscule particles.