I haven’t had too much time to bake in the past few days. Work has been hectic and I haven’t been getting home until 9 or 10 at night… and well, by then I’ve spent the entire day in the kitchen and I have no desire to step into mine. I was dead set on making something simple. Sometimes the simplest recipes can turn out to be the best, and this is definitely one of them. You can call it a galette if you prefer, but since I’m Italian I’ll stick with crostata, they’re basically the same thing. A pie dough filled with fruits (usually stone fruits, pears or apples) folded into a “nest,” brushed with egg and covered in turbinado sugar. Sounds delicious, right?! Not only did it smell amazing while it was baking, but it tasted amazing too! We served ours up with homemade whipped cream (only because we didn’t have any vanilla ice cream on hand) and it was gone in a matter of minutes. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try- it’s a keeper!
Pear Crostata Recipe
A homemade Pear Crostata is an easy way to bake something delicious. The golden crust, soft spiced pears, and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar create the perfect finishing touch.
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Servings: 8
Calories: 356kcal
Ingredients
- 5-6 Bosc pears (or Bartlett pears if you prefer) - skin removed and sliced thinly
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Pie Dough
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoon butter - cold and cut in 1/2" cubes
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- 4-6 Tbsp ice water
- 1 egg - lightly beaten
- 2 Tbsp turbinado sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius). Place the rack in the center of the oven to help prevent the top of the crostata from burning.
- To make the dough, in a medium-sized bowl, combine flour and salt; whisk together. Add the cold cubed butter; using a pastry blender, cut for 1 minute (butter pieces should not become too small). Gradually add the vinegar, then add one tablespoon of ice water at a time, using hands to combine the mixture as water is added (not all of the water may be needed; dough should barely hold together). Place the dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap and cover tightly. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes (while preparing the other ingredients).
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-low heat, add butter. When the butter has melted, add pears; cook for 5-8 minutes or until they become slightly soft. Remove from the skillet and place into a large bowl. Toss with sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon juice, lemon zest, and walnuts; set aside.
- Roll out the pie dough into a 9-inch circle (edges do not need to be smooth). Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. Place the pear mixture into the center, leaving about 2 inches of edge around the mixture. To fold, bring up the edges and pinch 5-6 times to help get rid of excess dough. Pat firmly around the mixture.
- Brush the pie dough edges with the egg, then sprinkle generously with turbinado sugar. Place in the oven and bake for 30-45 minutes or until the crust is crisp and the pears are tender. Remove and allow to cool for 20 minutes before cutting and serving.
NOTES
STORE Italian Crostata in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If refrigerating, place it in a covered container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. To FREEZE, let the crostata cool completely, then wrap it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. To REHEAT, warm it in a 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) oven for 10-15 minutes until the crust is crisp again. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the crust soggy.
Nutrition
Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 318mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg
This looks delicious, it’s so easy to make. Luv it!
Thanks for sharing.
Joanne/Winelady Cooks
This looks amazing. I love crostatas (or galettes or rustic pies – it doesn’t matter to me what you call it, it all tastes amazing).
That sounds delicious! You really can’t go wrong with a Pear & Walnut combo…can’t wait to try!
http://www.daintylittlethings.com
This sounds super delish. I love rustic desserts and this crostata sounds amazing!
Your crostata sounds delicious! Love the pear/walnut combination! Looks beautiful, too!