Pastry Blenders - What Do They Do?

HOW DO PASTRY BLENDERS AND PASTRY CUTTERS WORK?

In pastry making, the pastry cutter and pastry blender are two different names for the same kind of handheld device used to cut butter into flour. The tool consists of wires or metal strips looped around and attached to a handle. In order to use this tool, press it into a butter and flour mixture multiple times until you achieve the desired texture. 

You can cut in butter quicker and easier with the KitchenAid^® Pastry Beater Accessory for select KitchenAid^® stand mixers¹. In addition to making extensive doughs for a wide range of dishes, including empanadas, galettes, and choux pastries, this accessory also makes beautifully flaky and rich crusts for everything from fruit-filled pies to savoury hand pies.

1. Sold separately

PASTRY BLENDER USES

Butter or other fats are cut into dry ingredients such as flour with a pastry blender or beater. The procedure for breaking cold butter into small pieces while coating it in flour is the same for a traditional pastry blender and the KitchenAid^® stand mixer accessory. A flaky pastry dough must have bits of intact butter for it to be flaky. This guide shows you how to cut in butter with a pastry blender or beater.

The KitchenAid^® pastry beater accessory can be used for more than just cutting in butter.

In addition to shredding meat, mashing potatoes, and avocados, and making jams and chutneys, you can even make homemade spiced applesauce or chunky jams and chutneys with it. Making a blueberry pie or another fruit-filled dessert? Use the KitchenAid^® Pastry Beater Accessory to quickly make the crust, then mix and mash up your fruit filling without changing the accessory. If you want a savoury entrée, use the pastry beater to make a rich, tender empanada crust, then pull pork, chicken, or braised beef for the filling.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR USING A PASTRY BLENDER OR BEATER

Begin by cutting butter into cubes about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size from very cold butter. Combine the butter with the dry ingredients and cut it in right away. It is not recommended to let the butter sit out while you take care of other tasks, as it may become too soft, increasing the risk of overmixing. As you begin cutting in the butter, continue cutting until you reach the desired consistency. The following tips will help you use a pastry blender or beater more effectively:

BEGIN WITH COLD BUTTER: 

When you bake your pastry, the butter should still be solid. If you want to prevent the butter from softening too much, start with very cold butter straight from the fridge.

ADD CUBED BUTTER TO DRY INGREDIENTS: 

Prepare your dry ingredients first, then cube your cold butter, and set it back in the refrigerator. Mix the dry ingredients, such as flour, sugar, and salt, together quickly in a bowl. Next, add your cubed, cold butter on top and begin cutting in immediately.

DON’T STOP TO SCRAPE: 

You may feel compelled to scrape butter off your tool. Since time is of the essence, you can simply continue to mix and the butter will come apart on its own.

AVOID OVERMIXING: 

Unlike other types of dough, you don't want the butter completely incorporated into the dry ingredients. It is important to aim for butter pieces that are intact and coated with flour. As you work, keep an eye on your progress to prevent overdoing it.

ALTERNATIVES & SUBSTITUTES FOR PASTRY BLENDERS

Pastry blender substitutes, like food processors and stand mixer accessories, can make the task easier and faster than doing it by hand. Other methods, such as using two butter knives or a cheese grater, may be a bit slower and require more effort, but may not require any special equipment.

CUT-IN BUTTER WITH KNIVES OR FORKS

To use this method, lay butter cubes on top of dry ingredients. You can hold one knife in each hand, cross them, and then use them in opposite directions to cut the butter in half. Alternatively, mash the butter into the flour with a fork. Repeat until the right consistency is achieved. Using these methods is not ideal since they can take some time. Be sure to move quickly so the butter doesn't soften too much.

USE A CHEESE GRATER TO MAKE PASTRY DOUGH

For this method, you should start with very cold or even frozen butter since you will hold the butter in your hands. With a cheese grater, grate butter sticks on the medium side. Then, combine the dry ingredients with the butter and form a ball of dough. It will work if you're desperate, but we do not recommend this method due to how much you will be handling the butter. 

It's also possible for a grater to break the butter into too small pieces, resulting in dense pastry dough.

MAKE PASTRY DOUGH IN A FOOD PROCESSOR

If you want to make pie crust and other pastry doughs more quickly and hands-free, you can use a food processor. To avoid overworking the ingredients, pulse them in short bursts in the work bowl. Butter, oats, sugar, and more can also be processed in food processors to make crumb toppings for recipes such as the 3 Berry Crumble bars or Dutch Apple Pie.

Our selection includes a food processor size to fit your recipes ranging from 3.5 Cup Food Choppers for small tasks all the way up to 13 Cup Food Processors from KitchenAid brand that can tackle multiple servings at once. Shop all KitchenAid^® food processors to fulfill your pastry needs.

PASTRY BLENDER ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUR RECIPES:

KITCHENAID^® PASTRY BEATER

To cut butter into flour more easily and with less effort, you can use the KitchenAid^® Pastry Beater Accessory that attaches to select KitchenAid^® stand mixers*. This tool is designed specifically for cutting cold butter into soft dough for light and flaky pastries. By breaking cold butter into small pieces, the accessory ensures an even texture and distribution, minimizing the risk of overmixing. You can get handmade-quality pastry dough, with less effort, with the pastry beater, whether you are just starting out with pastry making or perfecting your signature bakes. The KitchenAid^®  Pastry Beater Accessory is available separately or as part of a stand mixer bundle.

*Sold separately

WHAT YOU CAN MAKE WITH A PASTRY CUTTER OR BEATER

The irresistible, buttery layers of pastry have allowed chefs from all over the world to encase their signature flavors. Taste the comfort of southern cuisine with beef and cheese empanadas spiced with smoked paprika and poblano peppers, or do it with everyday flaky biscuits. The types of pastry recipes you can make at home are nearly endless, from buttery, bite-sized tart crusts to light and flaky savoury galettes. With the KitchenAid^® Pastry Beater Accessory, you can explore with ease.