Since being home I’ve missed the Italian lifestyle and most importantly the food. There’s one classic recipe in particular I’ve always wanted to bake and subsequently eat, the classic Crostata. If you were wondering, a Crostata is a delicious jam tart. It’s simple, but so good and possibly one of my most favourite desserts now. I have fond memories of eating jam tarts from my childhood, I remember my favourites were blackberry and lemon curd and I would always pester my Mum to buy me some- she always gave in! Traditional British jam tarts are so similar to the classic Crostata you can buy in Italy, the pastry is just as light, buttery and zesty and the filling, perfectly sweet and oozing full of jammy goodness. I was really pleased with the finished result, not bad for my very first attempt!
This Crostata recipe uses the very best pastry, it’s light, sweet and short and the addition of lemon and vanilla gives it that unique Italian flavour. I’ve used a rotella- which I bought home from Italy. It’s perfect for Italian jam tarts, because it gives the authentic and beautiful lattice design.
Perfect to slice up for that afternoon-pick-me-up, but I also have to admit I very much enjoy a slice for breakfast. If you make this recipe, you will find it’s sweet, zingy and the absolute reminder of Summer days.
I found a taste of home (quite literally) whilst I was visiting Volterra. I grew up eating Wilkin & Son Tiptree Jam and the actual factory is not that far away from where I live, so I made sure this recipe was a fusion between Italian and British produce. This Crostata wouldn’t be as special if it didn’t use British jam! And as you can tell from this photo there are so many different flavours and varieties of jam, but I love Damson jam so that was my choice.
Love how the pastry is speckled with lemon zest and vanilla bean
Ingredients (Makes 1 Crostata)
Recipe adpated from italyonmymind
125g of unsalted butter, softened
20g of icing sugar, sifted
240g of plain flour, sifted
1/2 tsp of vanilla bean paste
Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
Pinch of salt
1 large free-range egg
1/2 jar of good-jam- I used Damson (use any of your favourite jams, this recipe is very versatile)
To serve-
Clotted cream, lightly whipped cream or vanilla bean ice-cream
Method-
1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C Fan (350F). To make the pastry, in a stand mixer beat the butter, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt and beat until crumbs form. Add the eggs and just mix until it’s comes together- try not to over mix at this point. Wrap the pastry in cling film and place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until a little firm.
2. Once the dough is fully chilled, lightly dust a work surface with a little icing sugar, roll the pastry until it’s slightly larger than the tin. If your pastry reaches more than half-way up the case, trim away gently using a knife. Roll the excess pastry into a ball and place in the fridge for the time being.
3. Spoon the jam onto the pastry base. Take the remaining pastry, roll out and then cut strips with a zig-zag cutter- the lattices should be long enough that the strips touch the edges of the crostata. Brush with beaten egg yolk.
4. Bake for 40-50 minutes, remove from the oven when the the tart is nice and lightly golden on top- if it’s colouring too quickly, just cover with foil. Cool in the tin, then carefully remove, cool completely to room temp. Dust lightly with icing sugar, then slice up!
Happy Weekend!
Gorgeous and delicious Jess!!
Thanks Suzanne!
Looks absolutely delicious
It was! Thanks Paul!
Love your lattice work on this tart, and yes, the mix of produce does make the tart very special. Beautiful, Jess!
Thank you Ngan! Glad you like the recipe!
I love Crostatas and especially love foods that bring back fond memories .. I always associate food with great memories I have. . 🙂 and your lattice top is perfection! absolutely beautiful!
Thanks Alice! Homemade Crostatas are amazing! Food that brings back memories is always the best! 🙂
What a lovely, beautiful crostata, Jessica. And I really like that you used damsons, one of my favorite late summer fruit.
Thanks Darya! Damson’s are definitely one of the best fruits!
Please send me some. The end. 😉
Haha! Glad you like the recipe, Eva! 😀
Your lattice work is unbelievable! Picture perfect. I don’t think I’ve ever had a real crostata. So I can’t wait to try this out!
Thank you Liz! Definitely try this recipe, it’s so good and really versatile! 🙂
This dessert looks so nice Jess! I would like to do to many new desserts for the “rentrée”…like this one! your dishes are very beautiful 🙂
Thank you so much Eva! Really hope you do try the recipe out, you’ll love it! 🙂
Wow, this looks so delicious! I love a piece of this crostata with a nice cup of tea.
Thanks Cindy! Crostata with a cup of tea, now you’re talking! 🙂
This looks delicious Jessica, beautiful photo’s. I adore that brand of jam, I can never resist buying a jar or two!
Thanks Laura! It’s the best brand of jam!
I’ve never tried a crostata, but I’m pretty sure I’d loooove it! This one looks absolutely stunning! <3
Thanks Consuelo! I’m really sure you would love crostatas! Definitely give the recipe a go! xx
It looks terrific, amazing for a first attempt. Now you can have a little bit of Italy at home.
Aww thanks Paola! You’ve inspired me with your beautiful crostata recipes! Definitely a little reminder of Italy- perfect. 🙂
This is so gorgeous and looks amazing! You must have really loved your time in Italy 🙂
Thank you Medha! I really did love my time in Italy! 😀
Wow, this looks absolutely incredible! The pictures of this are so gorgeous, I could totally go for a slice right now!
Thank you so much Danielle!
I just want to try all those jams… with a spoon! And then I want to eat this entire tart! YUM!
Haha, thanks Pamela! The jams are all pretty good and definitely inspire me to make many more recipes! The tart was really tasty!
This looks amazing, Jessica, and those jams look seriously delicious. All of them! I would love a slice of this dessert right now. 🙂
Thanks Marcie! The jams are really amazing from this brand! The tart was too good, really sad it’s now all gone!
This is stunning Jessica! I love your beautiful lattice on the crust – I was trying to make a lattice crust the other day with no luck so seeing yours is so inspiring. A big slice of this sounds so good right now 🙂
Thank you so much Kelly! I was worried about the lattice, but it really went well! I’m sure your lattice design was absolutely stunning, just like all your other inspiring bakes! 🙂
Yum this looks absolutely delicious!!
Thanks Lilli!
What a beautiful tart and photos! Love those pretty plates, too!
Thank you Nancy!
Oh, my mum has a very abundant damson tree!! Maybe it’s a sign 😉 a gorgeous crostata Jess. Just look at the lattice – perfect! Well done you 🙂
Wow, then this recipe is definitely great timing! My grandma used to make damson jam all the time for my granddad, so this recipe was inspired by that!
Really hope you give the recipe a go! Enjoy Jo! xx
That is a gorgeous Crostata!! Love the flavors!
Thank you so much! The flavours worked really well!
Yum, what a gorgeous crostata! I totally get why you miss Italy – it’s seriously one of the most amazing countries. And the food is to die for 😉
Thank you so much Josefine! It’s definitely one of the best countries to visit! Really pleased you like the crostata! 🙂 xx
Oh yum! I could definitely eat a slice of this for dessert … or breakfast! It’s so pretty too!
Thanks Ashley! It’s definitely a great breaky! Glad you like the recipe!
I have never ever had a crostata in my life and I am definitely going to have to try my hand at making my own. This looks amazing, Jessica! Love love all that gorgeous jam peeking out. 😉
Thank you so much Sarah! Then you’ve definitely got to give this recipe a go, it’s super versatile, so you can add your family’s favourite jam! Would love to hear if you do make this recipe! 🙂
This is a very beautiful crostata! I am sure it taste divine!
Thank you Serena!
Jess, I loved jam tarts when I was little! This one looks absolutely perfect … especially with the vanilla bean and lemon in the pastry. Mmm .. would be a perfect Sunday evening snack!
Thanks Helen! Definitely one of the best childhood foods for British people! The vanilla and lemon works really well with the sweet, jammy filling. Glad you like the recipe!
These crostatas look amazing, Jessica! Such gorgeous pictures, too!
Thanks Gayle!
This crostata sounds so delicious!! Love your photos. 🙂
Thanks Jessica! 😀
Love these crostatas Jess!! Also, loving your photos! 🙂
Yum! Damson is my favourite jam and this looks so good…
Thanks Karinna! Damson is such a delicious flavour! Glad you like the recipe, thanks for stopping by!
Beautiful tart! I just love the crinkly pastry pattern. I would totally order this if it was on the menu!
Thanks Jessica! The lattice topping is really traditional!
Such a beautiful tart! I bet it’s delicious too!
Thanks Russell! It was very tasty!
That is one pretty tart! I could eat a few slices of that in no time!
Thanks Leah!
When I went to Italy I ate tons of these!! I am SO happy I’ve found a recipe for them!! Can’t wait to try it out!