RUSTIC MIXED BERRY CROSTATA
This simple and delicious mixed berry crostata is a favorite! It’s so easy to make for any occasion, especially in the summer. And it takes less than 2 hours!
I’m always looking for simple recipes, especially when I’m entertaining. I love making desserts that have very few ingredients and are something people might have made 100 years ago. If you’re new here, you would love my rustic artisan bread recipe – another very simple and easy recipe, with just a few ingredients, that is so incredible. It’s one of our most popular recipes and a family favorite in our home. Today, I’m sharing this absolutely delicious summer recipe, that I know you’re going to love as well – you’ll want to make it for your family and friends all the time. This beautifully artisan-inspired, mixed berry crostata will be on repeat all season long, I promise you! Flaky crust with lightly sweetened berry filling, this gorgeous, rustic style dessert will wow your guests. It takes less than 2 hours to make and with simple staples from your pantry, you’ll have a delicious, home-baked dessert in no time. Keep reading below for the recipe…I hope you enjoy!
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WHAT IS A CROSTATA?
In simple terms, a crostata is an Italian, open-face pie, or tart, typically made with fruit. Here, I’ve used frozen mixed blueberries and strawberries – you can use any kind you like.
Crostata has an imperfect, artisanal shape with a rustic look to the crust – something our grandparents would whip up in a country kitchen!
IS A CROSTATA THE SAME AS A GALETTE?
Yes, it is basically the same thing! The main difference, is that a crostata is Italian and a galette is French.
Sometimes a crostata has a lattice crust on top (this is strips of crust over the top, in a basketweave pattern), where a galette will always be open-face and can also be made with savory ingredients.
WHAT KIND OF FILLING IS USED FOR A CROSTATA?
You’ll always find fruit filling in a crostata. Berries seem to be the most popular and since they’re in season in the summertime, this delicious treat is a summer staple.
As I mentioned above, I’ve used a mix of frozen berries in my recipe today, which makes the process even easier. No need to wash or cut your berries before using them.
HOW TO MAKE RUSTIC MIXED BERRY CROSTATA
This recipe is truly so simple to make and takes only a few ingredients, which I love.
We’ve been trying as much as possible to use whole ingredients when we cook. Although flour and sugar are not whole foods, just the fact that this recipe only has a handful of ingredients makes me feel so much better. Just simple goodness baked with love!
TO MAKE THE CRUST
- Combine 2 cups flour and 1/2 tsp of salt in a bowl, set aside.
- In another bowl, pour 1/4 cup boiling water over 1 cup of lard or shortening and gently press until melted.
- Add 1 tbsp of milk.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to wet.
- Mix well – the dough may be sticky at this stage, that’s ok.
- Chill your dough in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- When ready to roll it out, if it is still sticky, simply add a small amount of flour and mix – it will come together beautifully.
TO MAKE THE CROSTATA
- Heat oven to 450F degrees.
- Roll your dough into a circle about 10 inches in diameter, onto a sheet of parchment paper.
- Transfer parchment paper with rolled dough onto a baking sheet (don’t worry if it overlaps the edges of the pan).
- Mix 3 cups of desired berries (fresh or frozen), 2 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp of sugar and juice from 1/2 of a lemon.
- Add the berry mixture to the center of the rolled dough, leaving about 2.5 inches of dough to be folded over after.
- Fold the edges of the dough all the way around to create a beautiful, rustic crostata. You want sections folder over each other.
- Beat an egg in a small bowl with a fork.
- Brush the beaten egg onto the edges of your dough.
- Sprinkle the dough with remaining tbsp of sugar.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve warm or room temperature – warm is so delish! Top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or simply pour heavy cream on top. Enjoy!
Rustic Mixed Berry Crostata
A simple and delicious dessert, this rustic crostata with frozen berries is perfect in a pinch!
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 2 Cups Flour
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1 Cup Lard or Shortening
- 1/4 Cup Boiling water
- 1 Tbsp Milk
Mixed Berry Filling
- 3 Cups Frozen Berries (you can also use fresh berries if you prefer) I used blueberries and strawberries
- 2 Tbsp Flour
- 3 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 Lemon, juiced
Instructions
To make the crust
-
Combine flour and salt in a bowl, set aside
-
In another bowl, pour boiling water over the lard and gently press until melted
-
Add milk
-
Slowly add dry ingredients to wet
-
Mix well – dough may be sticky at this stage
-
Chill it in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes
-
When ready to roll, if it is still sticky, simply add a small amount of flour and mix – it will come together beautifully
To make the crostata
-
Heat oven to 450F degrees.
-
Roll dough about 10 inches in diameter, onto a sheet of parchment paper.
-
Transfer parchment paper with rolled dough onto a baking sheet (don’t worry if it overlaps the edges of the pan).
-
Mix berries, flour, 2 tbsp of sugar and lemon juice.
-
Add the berry mixture to the center of the rolled dough, leaving about 2.5 inches of dough to be folded over after.
-
Fold the edges of the dough all the way around to create a beautiful, rustic crostata. You want the sections folder over each other.
-
Beat an egg in a small bowl with a fork.
-
Brush the beaten egg onto the edges of your dough.
-
Sprinkle the dough with remaining tbsp of sugar.
-
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Recipe Notes
Serve warm or room temperature (warm is so yummy!). You can top your crostata with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or simply pour a little bit of heavy cream on top – any one of these will be delicious!
Keep covered at room temperature for 3 days, or up to 5 days refrigerated.
I know you are going to absolutely love making this delectable mixed berry crostata. Try it with whatever berries you have on hand and experiment. You can make this with only one variety also if you prefer not to mix your berries, it will be just as delicious. Enjoy! xo
