Homemade Flour Tortillas

Homemade, soft flour tortillas can be used for tacos, burritos or as a side or appetizer as I have done today. Serve warm tortillas with your choice of dipping sauces like queso, salsa or avocado sauce.

Flour Tortilla Recipe

Ingredients (Makes 12 medium size tortillas)
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp of salt
3 Tablespoons vegetable shortening, melted
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup WARM water

Directions
Step 1: Add 3 Tablespoons shortening & 2 Tablespoons butter into 1 cup of water. Microwave for 50-60 seconds until the shortening and butter melt.  Whisk to combine and set aside.  You want to make sure this water mix is warm, NOT HOT.

Step 2: In a large, deep bowl, add the dry ingredients of 3 c. flour, 2 tsp. salt and 2 tsp. baking powder.  Mix ingredients together by hand.

Step 3: Incorporate the water mixture into the dry ingredients until the water and flour mix forms a mass. 

Step 4: Knead the dough by hand for 5-10 minutes in the bowl or on a flat, work surface.  The dough is pretty firm so you do not need to flour your work surface.  You actually DO NOT want to add more flour at this point!

Step 5: Once finished, form into a large ball and wrap with cling wrap and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Step 6: Unwrap dough. You will see it is smooth, soft and elastic.  Grease hands with shortening and divide into 2 oz. balls for medium sized tortillas.  (You can adjust the amount of dough, depending on the size of tortilla you wish to make – smaller or larger.)

Step 7: Turn and tuck each ball under to make them tight and smooth.  Continue this process until all dough balls are formed.  Lightly rub with shortening so the dough does not dry out.

Step 8: Cover balls with cling wrap and allow to rest for another 20-25 minutes.

Step 9a: (IF you do NOT have a tortilla press, skip to Step 9b) Set up your tortilla press. Take each ball and between sheets of parchment paper, press out your tortillas to your desired thickness.

Step 9b: Lightly flour your working surface and rolling pin.  Place one ball down and roll in one direction, then turn.  Continue rolling and turning until you achieve a thin, round tortilla. (You can stretch it out by hand if you need to make it thinner and rounder.)

Step 10: Heat a nonstick pan to medium heat.  Add the flattened tortilla.  You will notice the tortilla will begin to puff up.  Wait for the underside of the tortilla to form golden brown spots. Then flip the tortilla using a spatula, or if you can tolerate the heat, flip by hand and allow the other side to brown as well.  *Laurie’s Cooking Tip: This process goes FAST so keep a close eye on your tortillas as they cook.  DO NOT let it crisp up!  You want the tortillas soft and pliable.

Step 11: Repeat the process until all tortillas are cooked.