Soft Flour Tortillas Recipe

Soft Flour Tortillas Recipe

These homemade tortillas are soft, chewy, and perfect for burritos, tacos, fajitas, or enjoying warm with butter.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup vegetable shortening or lard (cold, cubed)
• ¾ cup warm water

Cooking Guide:

1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add warm water, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
2. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it becomes manageable.
3. Rest the Dough: Form the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Shape and Roll: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and then on a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a thin circle, about 7-8 inches in diameter.
5. Cook the Tortillas: Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place a dough circle on the hot skillet and cook for 30-45 seconds per side, or until lightly golden brown and puffed in spots.
6. Wrap and Serve: Wrap the cooked tortillas in a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm and soft until ready to serve.

Tips:

• Warm Water: Using warm water helps activate the baking powder and creates softer tortillas.
• Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough can make the tortillas tough. Knead until just smooth and elastic.
• Rolling: If the dough is too sticky to roll out easily, let it rest for a few more minutes. You can also dust the dough lightly with flour as you roll.
• Heat Control: Medium heat is ideal for cooking tortillas. If the heat is too high, the tortillas will burn before they cook through.
• Keep Warm: Wrap cooked tortillas in a clean towel or place them in a tortilla warmer to keep them soft and pliable.
• Variations: You can add a tablespoon of melted butter or olive oil to the dough for extra flavor. For whole wheat tortillas, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.

Enjoy your delicious homemade soft flour tortillas!