Add all the ingredients except for the butter in a mixing bowl and mix well.
Next add the butter and rub it along with the flour until it resembles a wet sand like texture.
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Notes
Use cold butter and remember to cube it down, that way it would be easier for you to rub the two together. If using warm or melted butter the texture would differ.
Adjust the flavourings depending upon the type of goodies to be baked.
Once you have rubbed the two together, shake the bowl to and fro that way any big chunks of butter if left out would come to the top, you can then rub that too.
You can swap the lemon zest with any other spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg etc depending upon the type of recipe you are making. Like 1 tsp cinnamon powder for making apple based cakes, crips or pumpkin based recipes and 1 tsp cardamom for making Indian based desserts.
Store this mixture in an air tight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or 1 to 2 months in the freezer and use as and when needed.
If you do not have an oven, you can toast this mixture on a pan and use it as a topping in your oatmeal or even while serving ice-creams.