Italian Crostata

Ingredients:

330 grams (2.64 cups) all-purpose flour + extra for the cutting board

165 grams (11.79 tbsp) butter softened

130 grams (0.65 cups) granulated sugar

1 (1) whole egg + 2 additional egg yolks

1 (1) lemon rind zest

1 tsp (1 tsp) vanilla extract

1 pinch (1 pinch) of salt

1/2 teaspoon (1/2 teaspoon) baking powder

500 g (2.11 cups) apricot jam or other fruit jam of your preference

Instructions:

You will first need to prepare the pasta frolla (shortcrust pastry dough) by whipping the softened butter with the sugar, lemon zest and vanilla and then slowly adding the whole egg and yolks. Once it is mixed, slowly add the flour until incorporated. You can do this all in a food processor if desired, but we prefer to do it by hand using a fork or wooden spoon.

Shape the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll out most of the shortcrust dough to a thickness of about 4 mm (~1/6 in).

Use a pat of butter to cover the 24-cm/10 in tart pan and then dust it with flour until covered completely. Roll the dough onto the rolling pin, lift it and roll it out so that it covers the pie pan. Gently press the dough to adhere to the bottom and sides of the pan and remove any extra and set aside. Now press the tines of a fork into the bottom of the crostata crust to form lots of little holes.

To make the crostata filling, pour the jam into a bowl and stir it well so that it is smooth and there aren’t any chunks.

Pour the jam into the pastry shell but don’t fill it to the top. This step is essential if you want the jam to stay below the crisscross top when baking your crostata!

Place the shell in the refrigerator and use the remaining dough to make strips. You can place the dough back in the fridge if it is too warm to work with.

Roll the extra dough into a rectangle shape and cut strips of about 1.5 cm/1 in thickness and the length of the crostata top.

Place the strips an equal distance from each other over the top of the crostata going one way and pinch each one to seal and remove any extra length.

Now lay the strips the other direction to create a crisscross effect on the diagonal, so the center is diamond shaped.

Preheat the oven to 180 °C/355 °F.

Put the entire crostata back in the fridge while the oven gets up to temperature.

Bake on the middle rack at 180° for the first ten minutes and then lower the temperature to 175 °C/345 °F and bake for another 20-30 minutes.

The crostata is ready when the crust is golden brown.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes and then remove from the mold and let cool for another 2 hours. You can serve once cool or cover and then enjoy the crostata the next day when it is even better!

Nutrition Information:

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Italian Crostata?

Italian Crostata is a traditional Italian tart or pie.

It consists of a buttery shortcrust pastry filled with fruit jam.

Can I use store-bought pastry for Crostata?

While you can use store-bought pastry, making the homemade shortcrust pastry enhances the flavor and texture of the crostata.

What type of jam is best for Crostata?

Apricot jam is used in this recipe, but you can choose any fruit jam of your preference.

Raspberry, cherry, or peach jams work well.

Can I make the shortcrust pastry in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the shortcrust pastry ahead of time. Refrigerate it for at least 2 hours or overnight, bringing it to room temperature before rolling.

How do I prevent the jam from overflowing during baking?

Ensure not to overfill the crostata with jam.

Leave some space at the top to prevent spillage during baking.

Do I need a tart pan for Crostata?

Yes, a tart pan is recommended for shaping and baking the crostata.

It helps achieve the characteristic fluted edges.

Can I use a food processor for making the pastry dough?

Yes, a food processor can be used for making the pastry dough.

However, doing it by hand with a fork or wooden spoon is also effective.

How do I create the crisscross pattern on the crostata top?

Roll out the remaining dough into strips and create a crisscross pattern over the jam-filled pastry before baking.

Can I refrigerate the crostata before baking?

Yes, placing the crostata in the refrigerator before baking helps maintain the shape of the pastry and prevents it from becoming too soft.

How do I know when the Crostata is ready?

The crostata is ready when the crust turns golden brown.

Bake at 180°C for the first ten minutes, then lower the temperature to 175°C for another 20-30 minutes.