2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar, optional
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
6 to 8 tablespoons ice water
Mix the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl
Add the cold butter
Cut the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces
Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time
Mix gently until the dough just starts to come together
Divide the dough into two portions
Shape each portion into a disk
Wrap the disks in plastic wrap
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before using