Basic Sweet Pastry

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 450°.
2. 2
   Blend or sift together flour, sugar and salt; cut in finely shortening and butter.
3. 3
   Combine egg and cold water and sprinkle over flour mixture and toss lightly with a fork to make a soft dough.
4. 4
   Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 6 or 7 times.
5. 5
   Roll to 1/8 inch thickness.
6. 6
   Cut into 4 inch rounds and line medium sized muffin cups or tart pans with the pastry.
7. 7
   (Or place over inverted muffin cups, pleating to make pastry fit smoothly.)
8. 8
   Prick the pastry.
9. 9
   Bake in preheated 450° oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
10. 10
    Cool.
11. 11
    Fill as desired.
12. 12
    This makes 12 to 14 medium-sized shells.