Growing up we always went apple picking in New York or Canada. The weather was always crisp and chilly, something we just don’t get very much down in the south. I remember going with my childhood friend Jenny the most and eating apples right off the trees together. It’s something that instantly makes everything feel like fall and that the holidays are right around the corner.
I’m sure like most people, you’ve headed to an apple orchard this season and have more apples than you know what to do with. There are so many things you can do with apples from making apple cranberry hand pies to my honey apple cake. But for today’s recipe, I thought I’d try something new for me, a crostata. An easy apple crostata to me is such a fall favorite dessert. It’s a good mix of fruit and yummy baked dough. It’s simple and rustic. Just add all your ingredients into the middle of your dough and bake. Since it’s so easy, why not make your own homemade whipped cream to top it off with? Lastly, I also like to serve this with a little vanilla ice cream too. It’s just a must for any warm apple dessert, right?
Easy Apple Crostata Recipe
Ingredients
For The Crust
- 2 1/2 c all purpose flour
- 1 cup, (2 sticks) of cold butter, cubed
- 2 tsp sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 c ice cold water, plus a few tbsp to get the right consistency
For The Filling
- 5 small apples, sliced thin
- Juice of half a lemon
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground clove
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Method
Step One
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Step Two
Add flour, sugar and salt to a food processor and blend. Slowly add in cubed butter a few pieces at a time while pulsing. Add in 1/4 cup of water, if need be, add a tbsp at a time of water until the dough starts to come together. Pour out dough onto plastic wrap and form into a disc. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
Step Three
Peel and slice apples, add lemon juice to keep from browning to a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix.
Step Four
Roll out dough to about 1/4 inch and place on a lined baking sheet. I really like these silpat baking sheets to keep anything from sticking (read my kitchen master list here). Add apples to the center and fold over the edges to make sure there are no cracks for leaks. Roughly 1 1/2 inches around or more for the crust. You can use an egg wash on the edges and sprinkle with sugar to add a bit more sweetness and crunch.
Step Five
Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Servce this easy apple crostata with ice cream or whipped cream.
How To Serve An Apple Crostata
I like to serve this still a bit warm and bubbly out of the oven. Let it stand for a bit so it’s not so insanely hot. But I like this a little warm. Serve with homemade whipped cream (I like to add a sprinkle of cinnamon to it). Or go ala mode style with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream. This also goes great with an espresso martini to finish off a meal.
Apple Crostata
Servings 6
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 1/2 c all purpose flour
- 2 sticks of cold butter cubed
- 2 tsp of sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 c ice cold water plus a few tbsp to get the right consistency
Filling
- 5 small apples sliced
- Juice of half a lemon
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Add flour, sugar and salt to a food processor and blend. Add in cubed butter a few pieces at a time while pulsing. Add in 1/4 cup of water, if need be, add a tbsp at a time of water until dough starts to come together. Pour out dough onto plastic wrap and form into a disc. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
Peel and slice apples, add lemon juice to keep from browning. Add rest of apple mixture and mix.
Roll out dough to about 1/4 inch and place on lined baking sheet. Add apples to the center and fold over the edges to make sure there are no cracks for leaks. Roughly 1 1/2 inches around or more for the crust.
Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown
