pastry blender

{{Short description|Cooking utensil}}

File:Kitchen-Dough-Blender.jpg

A pastry blender, or pastry cutter, is a device used to mix a hard (solid) fat into flour in order to make pastries.{{cite web|url=http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/cooking-tools/pie-making-tools-reviews/g270/pie-making-tools-pastry-blenders/?slide=1|title=Pastry Blenders|first=Sharon|last=Franke|work=Best-Tested Pie-Making Tools|publisher=Good Housekeeping|access-date=22 February 2011}} The tool is usually made of narrow metal strips or wires attached to a handle, and is used by pressing down on the items to be mixed (known as "cutting in").{{cite web|url=https://blendercombo.com/what-is-a-pastry-blender/ |title=Pastry Blender | publisher=FOOD PROCESSOR BLENDER COMBO |accessdate=5 April 2022}} It is also used to break these fats (shortening, butter, lard) into smaller pieces. The blending of fat into flour at this stage impacts the amount of water that will be needed to bind the pastry into a dough.{{Cite web|title=No Pastry Cutter? Here Are Some Alternatives You Can Use|url=https://www.kitchenfeeds.com/pastry-cutter-substitute/|website=Kitchenfeeds|date=14 May 2022 }}