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Crostata is a Italian dessert that’s essentially a rustic tart filled with jam, fruit compote, or pastry cream. Here’s a basic recipe for making a Crostata at home:

Ingredients for Crostata :

For the pastry dough:

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the filling:

• Your choice of jam, fruit compote, or pastry cream

Instructions for Crostata:

1. Make the pastry dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture. Mix until the dough comes together. If the dough seems too dry, you can add a tablespoon of cold water.
4. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

3. Prepare the tart:

1. Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a circle about 1/4 inch (6mm) thick.
3. Carefully transfer the rolled-out dough to a tart pan or pie dish. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, trimming any excess dough.

4. Add the filling:

1. Spread your choice of jam, fruit compote, or pastry cream evenly over the bottom of the tart shell.
2. If desired, you can create a lattice pattern on top of the filling using strips of additional dough.

5. Bake the Crostata:

1. Place the filled tart on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
2. Remove the Crostata from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

6. Serve: Slice the Crostata into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature. You can optionally sprinkle powdered sugar before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Italian Crostata!

For the featured image credited to https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crostata.jpg