Irresistible Easy Italian Crostata Recipe: Homemade Jam Tart Magic

Crafting a delightful italian crostata brings pure joy to any kitchen adventure.

Pastry lovers will adore this simple yet elegant dessert from tuscany.

Rustic charm meets sweet simplicity in every golden-edged slice.

Crumbly shortbread-like crust embraces vibrant fruit preserves with delicate perfection.

Light, buttery layers melt in your mouth, transporting you straight to an italian countryside.

Generations have cherished this classic treat, passing down recipes that speak of love and tradition.

Easy Italian Crostata Jam Tart to Impress

Craft Sweet Family Memories: Perfect for creating delightful moments with loved ones, this traditional Italian dessert brings everyone together around the table with its charming homemade appeal.

Bake with Minimal Ingredients: Requires simple pantry staples like flour, butter, eggs, and jam, making it an accessible recipe for bakers of all skill levels without complicated shopping trips.

Create Stunning Presentation: The beautiful lattice design transforms an ordinary jam tart into an impressive dessert that looks professionally crafted, guaranteed to wow guests with minimal effort.

Versatile Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different jam varieties – from classic strawberry to exotic fig or tangy apricot – allowing endless personalization and culinary creativity in one delicious recipe.

Ingredients for Classic Italian Crostata

• Flour: The primary ingredient that provides structure and texture to the crostata pastry.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning of the crust.
• Baking Powder: Ensures a light and airy texture in the pastry.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the crostata.

• Egg, Egg Yolk: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds richness to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a subtle, warm flavor to the pastry.

• Jam: The sweet, fruity filling that gives the crostata its classic taste and character.
• Cold Butter: Creates a flaky, tender crust by creating layers in the dough.
• Powdered Sugar: A light dusting that adds a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Stepwise Instructions to Make Crostata Jam Tart

Step 1: Whip Up the Dough Base

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Crumble cold butter cubes into the dry ingredients using your fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture looks like rough breadcrumbs.

Introduce an egg, additional egg yolk, and vanilla extract, then blend until a smooth dough develops. Form the dough into a circular shape, wrap securely with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Surface

Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Sprinkle flour on a clean work surface and roll out approximately two-thirds of the chilled dough.

Carefully transfer the dough into a 9-inch tart pan, pressing it gently into the corners and trimming any overhanging edges. Spread your favorite jam evenly across the dough’s surface.

Step 3: Create a Decorative Lattice Top

Roll out the remaining dough and slice into long, even strips. Arrange these strips in a criss-cross pattern over the jam-covered base, weaving them to create a beautiful lattice design.

Step 4: Bake and Embellish

Place the crostata in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry turns a beautiful golden brown. Allow the tart to cool completely at room temperature.

Before serving, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar over the top for an elegant finish.

Tips for Perfect Crostata Crust and Filling

• Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent shrinking and ensure a flaky, tender crust.
• Select a high-quality, thick fruit preserve that complements the buttery pastry and provides rich flavor.
• Roll dough strips evenly and weave them carefully to achieve a classic, elegant crostata appearance.
• Blind bake the crust for 10 minutes before adding jam to maintain a crisp, golden base.
• Dust with powdered sugar just before serving to add a delicate, sweet finishing touch to the traditional Italian dessert.

Variations to Personalize Your Crostata

• Chocolate Swirl Crostata: Replace traditional jam with rich chocolate spread, creating a decadent dessert with deep cocoa flavor and smooth texture.
• Seasonal Berry Blend: Swap single jam for mixed berry preserve, combining strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries for vibrant fruity complexity.
• Nutty Almond Version: Incorporate ground almonds into pastry dough and add almond extract, topping with cherry or apricot jam for nutty undertones.
• Citrus Zest Variation: Mix lemon or orange zest into dough, using citrus marmalade as filling for bright, refreshing Mediterranean-style crostata.

Pairing Suggestions for Crostata Tart

• Flavor Symphony: Pair this classic Italian jam tart with crisp white wines like Pinot Grigio that complement its sweet and buttery profile.
• Beverage Harmony: Serve alongside light espresso or cappuccino to enhance the dessert's delicate sweetness and provide a rich coffee undertone.
• Fruit Fusion: Top with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries to add a vibrant, tangy contrast to the sweet jam and rich pastry.
• Texture Contrast: Garnish with a small scoop of vanilla gelato to create a creamy, cool counterpoint to the warm, crumbly crostata.

Storage Advice for Jam Tart Leftovers

• Store leftover crostata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Wrap the entire crostata or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Preserve the texture by avoiding direct contact with other frozen items.
• Remove from the freezer and let the crostata thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing prevents soggy pastry and maintains the original texture.

FAQs

• What is the origin of crostata?

Crostata is a traditional Italian dessert that originated in the Renaissance period, typically made with shortcrust pastry and fruit preserves, particularly popular in regions like Tuscany and Umbria.

• Can I use different types of jam for this recipe?

Absolutely! While traditional crostata uses fruit preserves like apricot or cherry, you can experiment with raspberry, strawberry, or even marmalade to create your own unique version.

• Is this dessert difficult to make for beginners?

Not at all! Crostata is quite beginner-friendly. The dough is simple to prepare, and the lattice top can be created with basic pastry skills. Even novice bakers can successfully make this delightful Italian tart.

Easy Italian Crostata Recipe (Jam Tart)

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Delectable Italian Crostata brings rustic charm straight from Tuscany’s kitchens with its buttery, crumbly pastry and sweet jam filling. Homemade simplicity meets traditional flavors, inviting you to savor a slice of authentic Italian dessert pleasure.

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Ingredients

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Pastry Dough (Pasta Frolla):

• 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, cold & cubed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:

• 3/4 cup (200 grams) jam of choice (apricot, raspberry, or cherry)

Garnish:

• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundation by combining flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing vessel, creating a uniform dry mixture.
2. Incorporate cold butter cubes into the flour mixture, using fingertips or a pastry tool to create a texture resembling coarse breadcrumbs.
3. Introduce egg, additional egg yolk, and vanilla extract, gently blending until a cohesive dough emerges.
4. Transform the dough into a compact disc, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance texture and flavor.
5. Warm the oven to 350F (175C), preparing for baking.
6. On a flour-dusted surface, roll out approximately two-thirds of the chilled dough to fit a 9-inch tart pan, carefully pressing into the pan’s contours and trimming excess edges.
7. Evenly distribute jam across the prepared crust, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Roll out the remaining dough and slice into precise strips for creating an intricate lattice pattern over the jam-covered surface.
9. Position the lattice strips in an alternating weave, allowing glimpses of the vibrant jam beneath.
10. Transfer the assembled crostata to the preheated oven, baking for 30-35 minutes until the pastry achieves a golden, crisp appearance.
11. Remove from oven and allow complete cooling to room temperature.
12. Delicately dust with powdered sugar, transforming the crostata into an elegant dessert ready for serving.

Notes

• Choose high-quality jam with intense fruit flavor for the best taste experience.
• Test jam’s thickness before spreading to prevent runny filling during baking.
• Chill dough thoroughly to ensure flaky, tender pastry texture and easier handling.
• Experiment with different jam varieties like apricot, raspberry, or mixed berry for unique flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 293 kcal
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg