Combine the 3 1/3 cups of flour with the ½ stick of butter in a standing mixer bowl with the paddle attachment. Whip on low speed for 5 minutes until combined. The butter should be cut completely into the flour.
Next, add the salt into the water and dissolve by whisking together and slowly pour the salted water into the flour-butter mixture just until mixed on low speed.
Transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper and place it into the refrigerator for 20 minutes to be easy to work with. The dough will be very sticky coming straight out of the mixing bowl.
Add the remaining 4 sticks of butter and ½ cup of flour to a standing mixer bowl.
With the paddle attachment, whip the mixture on low speed for 5 minutes or until smooth. Do not over mix as you do not want the butter to get too hot or else it will be difficult to roll out.
Place the chilled dough onto a floured surface and dust the top of the dough with flour. Roll it out until it is a long rectangle, about 12” x 24”
On another part of your clean surface dusted with flour, add the whipped butter and dust the top with flour. Roll out the butter to 2/3 the size of the dough.
Place the butter on the left side of the dough. Fold right to left placing the dough over the butter. Then left over right, covering everything.
Turn the folded dough 90°. Roll it out to the original size of 12” by 24”.
Fold the right and left to the center so that they are touching. Next, fold left over right and chill for 20 minutes, wrapped in parchment paper.
Repeat the process at least one more time and up to 7 more times by folding the left and right sides to the center and then folding again in half. You can repeat this process twice before it needs to be chilled for 20 minutes.
Store or use the puff pastry dough.
Notes
Make-Ahead: You can make this puff pastry dough up to 2 days ahead of time.How to Store: Wrap it in parchment paper and plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. This will freeze well-wrapped in parchment paper and plastic wrap for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator until soft and pliable.You can use bread flour in this recipe. However, you will need to increase the amount of hydration by 3% to 5%.Puff pastry is not the same as phyllo dough.An alternative to puff pastry is shortcrust dough.