Ingredients

• 6 1/2 ounces (11/2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/2 ounces (5 tablespoons ) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

1. Put the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and whirl to blend. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like fine meal.
2. In a cup or small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, the vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of the water. Add this to the flour and butter and pulse for a few seconds, just long enough to let the dough pull together; add a little more water if needed.
3. Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface and work it with the heel of your hand, pushing it away from you and then gathering it up with a dough scraper, until the dough is very pliable.
4. Press the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and chill until firm, 15 to 30 minutes.