Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling 

1 teaspoon salt 

1 teaspoon sugar 

1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces 

1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water 

Preparation

In a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar; pulse briefly. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, with a few pea-size pieces of butter remaining. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup ice water. Pulse until dough is crumbly but holds together when squeezed (if necessary, add up to 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon at a time). Do not overmix.

Divide dough in half, and turn out onto two large pieces of plastic wrap. Fold plastic over each portion of dough; press to shape into two 3/4-inch-thick disks. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour (and up to 3 days); dough can also be frozen up to 3 months (thaw before using).