Will pastries keep longer in the fridge?
You’ll need to refrigerate pastries with real or confectionery cream in them, to keep them fresh for at least a day or two. Put them in an air-tight container, if you can spare the room. However, the moisture from the fridge will eventually make them soggy. And pastries without cream last about two days maximum, so it’s best not to wait too long before you scoff them.
Is shortcrust pastry better for you than, say, puff pastry?
It’s certainly true that shortcrust pastry usually contains less fat. As a rule, shortcrust pastry is traditionally one part fat to two parts flour, whereas the multi-layered puff pastry uses fat and flour in equal proportions. If you’re thinking of doing your own baking, the type of pastry to use depends very much on the dish you’re making. Ask at the counter for tips on making sweet or savoury pastry, or pick up some of our time-saving ready-made pastry.
Is it okay to use Tupperware to store cakes, pastries and biscuits, or should I use a tin?
Either’s fine, as long as it’s airtight – keeping air out is the key to keeping your biscuits crisp and fresh and to stop your cakes going stale. What you musn’t do is leave the goodies out – they’ll soon go past their best – or get eaten!
Is pastry vegetarian?
Basic pastry shouldn’t involve any ingredients that aren’t suitable for vegetarians. But vegans beware: pastry is traditionally made from flour, butter, water or milk. Some types of pastry might also contain eggs and sugar. The good news is – it’s now possible to get ready-made pastry which is suitable for vegans, too.