No! While the food processor is an easy way to make the dough, you can also make it the old fashioned way by cutting in the butter using 2 forks or a pastry cutter. Do this until pea-sized crumbs form and then use your hands to incorporate the water into the dough to bring it together into a ball. If you are considering investing in a food processor, I highly recommend this one. I've had mine for over 10 years and have old recently needed to replace part of the bowl.