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Homemade Dough

Learn how to make a versatile homemade dough suitable for empanadas, focaccia, soft pretzels, pita bread, and croissants, with tips on serving and storing.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Various
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Empanada Dough
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed Use cold for better texture
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup cold water
Focaccia Dough
  • 4 cups bread flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
Soft Pretzel Dough
  • 2 cups bread flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 8 cups water For boiling
  • 1/3 cup baking soda
Pita Bread Dough
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Croissant Dough
  • 1 cup cold milk
  • 250 grams cold unsalted butter For lamination
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Method
 

Preparation of Doughs
  1. For Empanada Dough: In a bowl, mix flour and salt. Cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and cold water. Mix until a dough forms. Knead, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
  2. For Focaccia Dough: In a bowl, mix flour, yeast, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil, stirring until a dough forms. Cover and let rise until doubled in size.
  3. For Soft Pretzel Dough: Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and melted butter. Knead until smooth and let rise.
  4. For Pita Bread Dough: Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil, and knead until smooth.
  5. For Croissant Dough: Mix flour, cold milk, yeast, sugar, salt, and softened butter. Knead and chill.
Baking
  1. For Empanadas: Roll out and shape. Bake until golden.
  2. For Focaccia: Spread into a pan, dimple with fingers, top with desired toppings, and bake until golden.
  3. For Pretzels: Shape into pretzels, boil in baking soda water, then bake until golden brown.
  4. For Pita: Roll flat and bake in a hot oven until puffy.
  5. For Croissants: Roll dough around cooled butter, roll, fold, shape, and bake.

Notes

Use cold ingredients for flaky textures. Knead well to develop gluten, allowing the dough to rest for ease in rolling out. Customize flavors with herbs or spices.