How to Rub Butter and Other Fats into Flour

Many recipes for  biscuits, pastry, shortcakes or quick breads like cornbread often direct you to "cut in" butter or lard into the flour mixture.  You can do this using a couple of knives, or a pastry cutter.  Some even use a food processor.  However, when one lives in a small trailer, doing things by hand and not dirtying up yet another utensil runs high on your list of things to do.

The butter or lard should be very cold (this is one of those great secrets of a good biscuit or a leafy, flaky crust).  Cut it into small pieces about 1/2-inch square or smaller.  The, using your fingertips, rub the butter and flour together in a bowl until the mixture has the consistency of very coarse crumbs.  Just be certain to NOT over-mix!