Dough (making / shaping / finishing)

Dough: Making, Shaping, Finishing

Making: Always remember to measure your ingredients accurately. The consistency of your dough can be affected by factors such as the temperature and humidity of your kitchen.
Incorporating the fat into the flour properly is crucial to creating flaky, tender dough. Options include the rubbing in method, creaming, and the melt-and-mix method.
When adding liquid, add it slowly and not all at once. The dough should just hold together and should not be too dry or too sticky.
Shaping: Rest your dough before shaping. This will make it easier to roll out and shape without tearing.
Be gentle when rolling out dough. If you roll it out too roughly, it might become too thin, tear, or not hold its shape well.
Pay attention to size and thickness specifications in recipes. This will ensure even baking and cooking.
Finishing: Egg wash can give your pastries a shiny, golden finish. Other options for finishing dough include dusting with flour for a rustic look, or glazing with sugar for a sweet, crunchy finish.
Always remember to preheat your oven to the correct temperature before baking. This is crucial for achieving the proper rise and colour in your baked goods.
Allow your baked goods to cool completely on a wire rack before glazing or frosting. This will prevent the glaze or frosting from melting off.

Remember these key points when making, shaping, and finishing dough: measure accurately, incorporate fat properly, add liquid slowly, rest before shaping, roll gently, consider size and thickness, use appropriate finishing techniques, preheat oven properly, and cool baked goods completely. Practice your dough making skills regularly to become more confident and proficient.