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1
To make the pastry In an electric mixer: Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl.
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2
Add the butter pieces and mix them with an electric mixer on low speed until the largest of the butter pieces are the size of small lima beans, about 1 minute.
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3
The butter pieces will be different sizes and there will still be some loose flour.
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4
Add the sour cream and continue mixing until large clumps of smooth dough that pull away from the sides of the bowl form, about 30 seconds.
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5
Stop the mixer and scrape the beaters clean, if needed.
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6
To make the pastry by hand: Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl.
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7
Use a pastry blender, your fingertips, or 2 dinner knives to combine the flour mixture and the butter until lima bean-size pieces form.
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8
Add the sour cream and stir with a large spoon for about 2 minutes until clumps of smooth dough form.
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9
Form the dough into a smooth ball, flatten it into a 6-inch disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.
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10
You will see small pieces of butter in the dough.
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11
This is good and contributes to the flaky texture.
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12
The dough is now ready to roll and use in the recipes.
