What to do with Leftover Shortcrust Pastry

We’ve all been there – making a delicious pie or tart and then being left with a bit of extra shortcrust pastry. If, like me, you hate wasting food, then you might be trying to come up with creative ways to use up those leftover pastry scraps. I’ve got plenty of ideas to help you with what to do with leftover shortcrust pastry.

From sweet to savoury treats, the possibilities are endless when it comes to making use of leftover shortcrust pastry. You’ll be surprised by how versatile this dough can be, and how it can elevate a simple snack into an indulgent treat. So, grab your rolling pin and get ready to dig deeper into the world of shortcrust pastry leftovers.

What to do with Leftover Shortcrust Pastry

Leftover shortcrust pastry is an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen. Don’t toss those precious bits of dough away; instead, turn them into tasty treats. In this section, you’ll find inspiration for turning your leftover shortcrust pastry into sweet treats or savoury snacks.

Sweet Treats

Cookies: Transform your leftover shortcrust pastry into delightful cookies. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Bake at 180°C (Gas Mark 4) for about 20 minutes, and you’ll have a tasty treat to accompany your morning coffee or tea.
Mini tarts: Turn your leftover dough into delicious mini fruit tarts. Cut out circles of dough using a biscuit cutter and press them into a mini muffin tin. Fill them with your favourite jam or preserve and bake until the pastry is puffed and golden.
Apple turnovers: Indulge in cinnamon-rich apple turnovers made with your shortcrust pastry. Fill pastry rectangles with a spiced apple filling, seal the edges with a milk and sugar coating, and bake until golden brown. They’re a perfect morning snack or dessert to serve with ice cream.

Savoury Snacks

Cheese straws: Put a savoury spin on your leftover shortcrust pastry by making cheese straws. Roll together the pastry and cut into strips. Sprinkle with grated cheese (such as cheddar, Parmesan, or Gruyère) and a little salt, then bake until crispy. The texture will be crumblier than puff pastry cheese straws, but they’re just as moreish.
Savoury mini tarts: Use your shortcrust pastry to create irresistible savoury mini tarts. Press the dough into a mini muffin tin and fill with your favourite savoury filling, like caramelised onions, roasted vegetables, or grated cheese. Bake until the pastry is golden and the filling is cooked through.

Have fun using your leftover shortcrust pastry to create an array of delicious sweet treats and savoury snacks. By repurposing your dough scraps, you’ll not only reduce food waste but also indulge in tasty new culinary creations. Enjoy experimenting and discovering your favourite ways to use up your leftover shortcrust pastry.

Sweet Recipes Utilising Leftover Pastry

I’m focusing mainly on using up leftover shortcrust pastry here, but some of these ideas will also work if you’ve got leftover puff pastry too.

Jam Tarts

Put your leftover shortcrust pastry to good use by making some tasty jam tarts. Roll out your pastry and use a round biscuit cutter to cut out circles. Then, press them into a greased muffin tin. Fill each pastry case with your favourite jam or preserve before baking in a preheated oven at 180°C (Gas Mark 4) for about 15-20 minutes until golden. These charming little treats make lovely snacks to enjoy with a cup of tea for a cheeky breakfast treat.

Apple Turnovers

Although traditionally made with puff pastry, you can create satisfying apple turnovers with your leftover shortcrust pastry. Roll out the pastry and cut it into rectangles. Prepare a cinnamon-rich apple filling by combining chopped apples, sugar, and cinnamon. Place this filling into the pastry rectangles, then fold the pastry over and secure the edges. Brush each turnover with milk and sprinkle with sugar before baking at 180°C (Gas Mark 4) until golden. Serve these turnovers with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert your family will love.

Cinnamon Sugar Twists

For a simple yet tasty treat, try making cinnamon sugar twists. Roll out your leftover pastry and cut it into long strips. In a separate bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar together. Brush each strip with a bit of melted butter and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. Twist each strip a few times and place them on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (Gas Mark 4) until they are golden and crispy. These twists make great snacks or dessert garnishes.

Chocolate Pinwheels

Transform your leftover shortcrust pastry into delectable chocolate pinwheels. First, roll out the pastry into a rectangle and spread a thin layer of your favourite chocolate spread over the surface. Carefully roll up the pastry from the longer edge, then wrap it in cling film and chill for about 30 minutes.

Once chilled, unwrap the pastry and slice it into pinwheels. Place these on a baking sheet and bake at 180°C (Gas Mark 4) until golden brown. The chocolate pinwheels are not only attractive with their swirling colours, but they also make a scrumptious snack.

Savoury Ideas for Extra Shortcrust Pastry

Cheese Straws

If you have extra shortcrust pastry, why not whip up some delicious cheese straws? Simply roll out your leftover pastry and sprinkle with grated cheese like Parmesan, Gruyère, or even Cheddar. Add a little salt and herbs, if you fancy. Then, cut into strips and bake until golden and crispy. These cheesy treats make perfect snacks or nibbles for kids’ lunches.

Mini Quiches

Turn your surplus shortcrust pastry into mouthwatering mini quiches:

Roll out the dough and cut small circles to fit in a mini tart tin or muffin tray.
Fill the pastry cases with a mix of cooked vegetables, ham or other meat, and cheese.
In a separate bowl, whisk together some eggs and cream, and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
Pour the egg mixture into the pastry cases.
Bake in a preheated oven until golden and set.

These scrumptious savoury pastries are perfect for lunchboxes or a light meal, with countless filling combinations to suit your taste.

Sausage Rolls

Sausage rolls are a classic and easy way to put your extra shortcrust pastry to use:

Roll out the dough into a rectangular shape.
Place cooked sausages along one edge of the pastry and season with your preferred herbs.
Roll up the pastry, enclosing the sausages, and brush the edge with a little beaten egg or water to seal it.
Cut into individual sausage rolls, and bake until golden and the pastry is crisp.

These buttery, meaty goodies are versatile and always a hit during picnics or as finger food at parties.

Mushroom and Onion Palmiers

For a more delicate savoury option, try making mushroom and onion palmiers:

Roll out your extra shortcrust pastry into a thin rectangle.
Sauté mushrooms, onions, garlic, and fresh thyme in a little butter until softened, then allow to cool slightly.
Spread a thin layer of tomato paste or pesto onto the pastry, leaving a small border around the edges.
Top with the cooked mushroom mixture, grated cheese, and chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes, if desired.
Roll up the pastry tightly from both long sides, meeting in the middle.
Slice into thin pinwheels and bake until puffed and golden.

These elegant pastries make ideal appetisers for dinner parties or special occasions.

Remember to store any leftover baked goods in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. Enjoy these savoury delights in your kitchen with confidence!

Storing and Freezing Shortcrust Pastry

Freezing Dough Scraps

When you find yourself with leftover shortcrust pastry dough, don’t fret! You can easily preserve the dough to use it later. To freeze dough scraps, simply follow these steps:

Collect your leftover shortcrust pastry dough and gently shape it into a disc or ball.
Wrap the dough tightly in cling film, ensuring no air gets trapped which could cause freezer burn.
Place the wrapped dough in an airtight container to protect it from freezer odours and potential frost.
Label the container with the date and type of pastry to make it easy to identify later on.

Your frozen dough will keep well for up to one month in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, just remember to thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Storage Tips

Apart from freezing dough scraps, you can also refrigerate your leftover shortcrust pastry for a couple of days. Here are a few helpful tips for storing dough in the fridge:

Wrap the leftover dough tightly in cling film to prevent it from drying out.
Store your wrapped dough in a designated area of the refrigerator, ideally separate from items with strong odours to avoid absorbing any unwanted smells.
Keep in mind that refrigerated dough will last for 2-3 days at most.

Now that you know how to store and freeze your leftover shortcrust pastry, why not use the dough to create delicious snacks or treats? You can easily cut it into shapes, sticks, or strips to make savoury treats like cheese straws or sweet pastry treats like fruit tarts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can You Keep Defrosted Shortcrust Pastry in the Fridge?

Once you’ve defrosted your shortcrust pastry, you should keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days at most. Make sure to wrap it in cling film to maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out. If you don’t plan to use it within this time frame, consider freezing the leftover pastry instead. You can store it in a zip-lock bag in the freezer for up to one month.

Can you Reuse Pastry?

Yes, you can reuse leftover pastry dough. However, it’s important to note that the quality might decline a bit each time it’s reworked. For instance, if you have leftover pastry dough that has been previously frozen, it’s best not to refreeze it, as this could further affect the quality.

To reuse your pastry, consider incorporating it into different recipes, like making mini tarts, vol-au-vents, or pie decorations. Just remember to store it properly in the fridge wrapped in cling film or in the freezer if you’re not using it right away.

What to do with Leftover Ready Rolled Shortcrust Pastry

Instead of discarding leftover ready rolled shortcrust pastry, you can create various delicious treats. Here are a few ideas:

Mini tarts – Top the leftover pastry with ingredients like tomatoes, cheese, herbs, cured meats, or roasted vegetables and bake until golden.
Pie decorations – Use your imagination to create beautiful pie motifs or patterns that will give your pies a wow factor.
Pasties or turnovers – Fill the pastry with sweet or savoury ingredients, fold it over, and bake until golden brown.

Remember to store any unused ready rolled shortcrust pastry properly to ensure it stays fresh for your next culinary creation.

What to do with Leftover Shortcrust Pastry