Expert: Heinz Henze - 12/20/2008

Question
So I've had a recipe for cookies for some time.  I decided to make them, but when I was reading the instructions there was a point when it said to "Fold like an envelope". (This comes after rolling out the dough and applying Crisco).  I was just wondering what this means because, well, there are several types of envelopes (none of which I can fold).  Also, could it mean "fold like a letter" that goes inside the envelope? Well I hope you or someone clarify this annoying little problem. Haha, thanks.

Answer
Hi Mike,
Your recipe could want you to fold the 4 corners into the middle and slightly overlapping them, which would sort of resemble a basic envelope.  Folding in three like a letter is called a tri-fold and is used for making doughs with layers of fat in them such as danish, croissant, and puff doughs. Hope this helps, happy baking.

Have a great day,

Heinz