
A historical pastry from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). All the ingredients should be very cold when mixing, and the suet dredged with flour after it is chopped, to prevent the particles from adhering to each other.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
Place the flour, sifted with the powder in a bowl
Add suet and water
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Mix into smooth, rather firm dough
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Suet (beef or mutton kidney fat) has a higher melting point than butter, remaining solid longer during baking to create distinct layers of pastry. When the dough hits oven heat, the solid fat chunks create steam pockets as surrounding moisture vaporizes, producing a flaky texture similar to puff pastry but with a sturdier structure. The baking powder provides additional lift and helps compensate for the lack of lamination found in traditional puff pastry.
The chopped, floured suet can be prepared up to 1 day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The assembled dough can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before rolling; let it sit at cool room temperature for 10 minutes before use to prevent cracking.
Unbaked suet pastry can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using. Baked pastry is best consumed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes before serving.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The chopped, floured suet can be prepared up to 1 day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The assembled dough can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before rolling; let it sit at cool room temperature for 10 minutes before use to prevent cracking.
Unbaked suet pastry can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using. Baked pastry is best consumed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; re-crisp in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes before serving.