Choose a heavy, durable, flour-absorbent material for a pastry cloth with a non-slip back and specially treated front. Consider the size and additional features such as a rolling pin cover or guide circles. Keep it in good condition by wiping off remaining dough and washing if necessary.
A high-quality pastry towel helps keep cookies, pizza or pie crust dough from sticking to the countertops, saving you from unnecessary cleaning and saving your dough from mutilation. You should choose a pastry cloth made of a heavy, durable, flour-absorbent material that is sized to fit your pastry needs. You should also consider whether you want a cloth with extra features like a rolling pin cover, embellishments or guide circles.
The most important factor in choosing a pastry cloth is the material. The back of the cloth should be made of non-slip material, sometimes food grade flannel or rubber, to prevent it from sliding on your work surface as you roll the dough. The front of the cloth should ideally be made from a fabric that has been specially treated to absorb flour, but not grease. This prevents excess flour from remaining on the dough and making it too stiff. Heavier materials, like canvas, tend to be better than cotton, because they’re less likely to wrinkle.
Also, consider the size of pastry towel you’ll need. If you intend to use the cloth only for smaller pastries such as pie crusts, you may only need a 12-by-12-inch (30cm by 30cm) cloth. To make a pizza crust or roll out a large batch of sugar cookie dough you’ll need a larger cloth, measuring at least 20 inches by 20 inches (50 cm by 50 cm).
Some pastry cloths have additional features. Pastry wipes often come packaged with a rolling pin cover made from the same combination of non-slip and absorbent materials. This prevents you from having to wash the rolling pin, which could lead to warping. Some fabrics are decorated with country-style sayings or designs. On the more practical side, a pastry cloth can have 8-inch (20cm) or 9-inch (23cm) guide circles marked on it to help you roll the pie crust into the perfect size and shape.
Once you’ve invested in a good pastry cloth, it’s important to keep it in good condition so you don’t have to replace it frequently. After using the washcloth, wipe off any remaining dough and shake it over the sink or trash can to remove excess flour. Alternatively, you can fold it up and place it in the freezer with the flour still in it. If your pasta was particularly greasy or included raw eggs, you should wash the cloth with hot water and dish soap and let it hang dry before storing.
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