Easy Italian Crostata Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that tastes like a ray of Italian sunshine, the Easy Italian Crostata Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine a buttery, tender crust embracing your favorite luscious fruit jam, with a rustic lattice top that’s as charming as it is delicious. This classic treat is beloved all over Italy for its simple ingredients and satisfying flavors, perfect for making memories around the table. Whether it’s a holiday, brunch, or just a Wednesday sweet craving, this crostata always feels homemade in the very best way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about how straightforward, yet vital, each of these ingredients is. Every item here brings something special—whether it offers structure, sweetness, or that beautiful golden color—to make your Easy Italian Crostata Recipe taste like it came straight from a Nonna’s kitchen.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, giving our crostata its tender, sturdy bite.
- Granulated sugar: Adds the right amount of sweetness and helps the crust brown beautifully.
- Baking powder: A touch of lift that gives the dough a slight airy quality without puffing it up too much.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness balanced.
- Unsalted butter (cold and cubed): Key to that perfectly flaky, melt-in-your-mouth crust—using it cold is essential!
- Large egg: Binds everything together and helps create a supple dough.
- Large egg yolk: Adds richness and that gorgeous golden tone to the pastry.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash brings a warm, aromatic note to the finished tart.
- Fruit jam (apricot, raspberry, cherry, etc.): The heart of your crostata! Choose the jam you love most for a big burst of fruity flavor and color.
How to Make Easy Italian Crostata Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Equipment
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch tart pan or pie dish so the crostata releases easily once baked. Taking a moment to prep now ensures your dessert slides out with that perfect golden crust intact.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. This quick whisk aerates the flour and distributes the leavening and flavor evenly, which is especially important for a consistent, tender pastry.
Step 3: Cut in the Butter
Add your cold, cubed butter to the dry mix. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour until you have a mixture that looks like coarse, buttery crumbs. This step is essential—those little pieces of butter will guarantee a flaky, tender crust that practically melts in your mouth.
Step 4: Bring the Dough Together
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Pour this wet mixture over the buttery crumbs and mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough is a bit sticky or hard to handle, don’t worry! You can chill it in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes, which makes it easier to work with.
Step 5: Shape the Crust
Divide your dough into two pieces—one just slightly bigger than the other. Press the larger portion evenly into the bottom and up the sides of your prepared tart pan. It’s genuinely satisfying to feel the dough sculpt under your hands, promising a sturdy foundation for your Easy Italian Crostata Recipe.
Step 6: Add the Jam
Spoon your chosen fruit jam over the crust, spreading it evenly right up to the edges. The jam you love most will shine here: raspberry for tang, apricot for brightness, or cherry for a deep, sweet flavor. The right jam is the secret to a great crostata.
Step 7: Lattice the Top
Roll out the remaining dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into thin strips. Arrange these strips over the jam in that quintessential crisscross Italian lattice pattern. Press the ends gently to seal the edges—this rustic look is part of the Easy Italian Crostata Recipe’s old-world charm!
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the jam is bubbling gently at the edges. Let it cool completely before slicing; this resting time helps the filling set, making every piece as neat as it is scrumptious.
How to Serve Easy Italian Crostata Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle the cooled crostata with a dusting of powdered sugar for a simple, classic finish. For a little extra flair, add a few lemon zest curls or a garnish of fresh berries that match your jam. A sprig of fresh mint gives a pop of color too!
Side Dishes
Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla gelato or a generous dollop of whipped cream. If you’re serving this at brunch, try it with a cappuccino or little shot of espresso on the side—the authentic Italian way!
Creative Ways to Present
The Easy Italian Crostata Recipe makes a lovely rustic centerpiece, sliced at the table with a vintage pie server. For a cozy touch, serve individual slices on mismatched plates, or bake mini crostatas in tartlet pans for a fun twist at parties or picnics.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your crostata will stay delicious covered at room temperature for two to three days. If you’re enjoying it over a few days longer, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to five days—it’s just as tasty chilled or at room temp!
Freezing
The Easy Italian Crostata Recipe freezes wonderfully. Once completely cooled, wrap the whole tart or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and it will taste as fresh as the day you baked it.
Reheating
If you enjoy your crostata slightly warm, pop a slice in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for about five to eight minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the crust soggy—oven reheating brings back that perfect texture.
FAQs
What’s the best jam to use for an Easy Italian Crostata Recipe?
It’s all about personal preference! Apricot, raspberry, or cherry jams are classics, but you can use any high-quality preserve you love. Just make sure it’s not too thin or runny for best assembly and flavor.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Definitely! You can prepare the dough, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate for up to two days. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to soften slightly before shaping.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely. Substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Check your baking powder and jam labels for hidden gluten to be sure!
Why does my crust get too dark or hard?
Every oven is a little different, so watch closely toward the end of baking. Check your crostata at the 25-minute mark and cover loosely with foil if the top is browning too quickly but the jam hasn’t bubbled yet.
Can I use this dough for other fillings?
Yes! This Easy Italian Crostata Recipe dough is beautifully versatile. Try it with Nutella, lemon curd, or even a sweetened ricotta filling for a new twist.
Final Thoughts
Every time I bake the Easy Italian Crostata Recipe, it brings the warmth and love of a true Italian kitchen right to my home—and I hope it does the same for you. It’s simple, rustic, and endlessly adaptable. Give it a try, and let it become a cherished favorite at your table too!
Print
Easy Italian Crostata Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Easy Italian Crostata, a rustic fruit tart that perfectly balances sweetness and buttery richness. With a tender crust holding a layer of your favorite jam, this dessert is a classic treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling:
- ¾–1 cup fruit jam (apricot, raspberry, cherry)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch tart pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Whisk egg, egg yolk, and vanilla; add to flour mixture and mix to form a dough.
- Assemble: Press larger dough portion into pan, spread jam, and create lattice top with remaining dough.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden. Cool before slicing.
Notes
- Use high-quality jam for best results.
- Chill dough if too soft.
- Store crostata at room temp for 2–3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
