Crostata Di Marmellata Recipe (Italian Jam Tart) (2024)

Crostata di Marmellata, a traditional Italian jam tart, is a delightful addition to your dessert repertoire. This rustic treat boasts a delicate, buttery shortcrust pastry dough known as pasta frolla, which serves as a staple in Italian baking and pairs well with the sweet and tangy flavors of various jams and preserves. Home to a crisscross lattice design, the Crostata is an artful and inviting dessert that impresses as much with its appearance as with its taste.

You'll find that this Italian crostata is a versatile treat that adapts to your personal preferences.

You can create a personalized tart that satisfies your cravings by experimenting with different jams.

Whether it's apricot, cherry, or even homemade jam, the options are endless.

As one of the most popular desserts in Italy, this jam tart is perfect for a cozy afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or an elegant finish to a meal.

You can buy it in Italy in most bakeries and pastry shops, but homemade crostata is much better and a great way to use up open jam jars.

To achieve the perfect crostata, a well-executed pasta frolla recipe is key.

The dough should be sweet and tender, lightly bound by baking powder to offer a subtle softness.

You can also find more traditional Italian recipes: Italian fruit cake, Sicilian cannoli, pastiera Napoletana.

What does Crostata mean?

Crostata in Italian means crispy crust, and since it refers to any pie or tart, you should always specify its filling: Crostata di frutta, fruit tart; or Crostata di marmellata, jam tart.

Fruits and jam are the most common fillings, but Crostata can also be filled with chocolate, nutella, ricotta or custard.

Jam crostata is the most commonly made, as it is very easy to make at home and does not require any planning.

As long as you have the ingredients to make the shortcrust pastry (pasta frolla) and some jam, it can be made at the last minute and will last for the week.

It is the perfect dessert to use up opened jars of jam or marmalade, it can be stored for a long time and is easy to eat on the go.

Pasta frolla can be sweet or savory, to find out more you can read the recipe: savory and sweet pasta frolla

Ingredients

This crostata is made with a crispy, crumbly, fluffy sweet shortcrust pastry, an old classic pastry recipe that uses baking powder.

A crumbly Pasta Frolla is the foundation of a good crostata dough.

These are the ingredients you need:

• All-purpose flour or, ideally, Italian 00 flour. Italian 00 flour has a finer texture and will provide a smoother, more tender crust.
• Cold, unsalted butter. Using cold butter helps to create a flaky texture in the finished crust.
• Granulated sugar for sweetness and to help the crust achieve a beautiful golden brown color
• A pinch of salt is essential for enhancing the flavors in your dough. Balancing the sweetness will give you a more well-rounded tasting experience.
• A whole egg is required to bind the ingredients and provide structure to your crostata dough.
• The baking powder adds to the pastry base a light and fluffy texture
• To give an additional fresh citrus flavor and aroma you can add orange or lemon zest to the pastry.
• Jam or marmalade: the choice is crucial. Go for a homemade or good quality fruit preserves that complements your crostata dough's flavors. There are many possibilities, such as apricot, mixed berries, or even fig.

See recipe card for the quantity

Instructions

Making the dough

1. First mix all the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, and baking powder
2. Then add all the wet ingredients
3. Mix until the dough is formed
4. If the dough is too warm, wrap it in cling and store it in the fridge for few minutes. Cold dough is easier to roll.
5. Put the dough on a well-floured surface and cut ½, keep ½ of the pastry aside for the top
6. Roll the rest of the pastry to make the base of the pie

Preparing the base

This quantity of dough is enough for a 9 in - 22 cm D / 1 in - 2.8 cm H baking pan with removable bottom.

7. Butter and flour the bottom of the pan and its sides
8. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough, checking the size of the pastry vs the size of the pan
9. Once the pastry is large enough, lay it on the baking pan
10. Press the dough into the pan
11. Trim the edges
12. Pierce the pastry with a fork
13. Pour the jam and spread it evenly

Choosing the Right jam

When it comes to selecting the perfect jam, there are a few factors to consider.

First, decide whether you want to use store-bought jam or homemade jam.

Although store-bought jam can offer convenience and consistent quality, homemade jam allows you to control the ingredients and tweak the taste to your liking.

If you opt for a store-bought jam, select one that is high-quality and has the right balance of sweetness to complement the tart.

On the other hand, if you decide to go with homemade jam, explore different jam recipes to determine which one best suits your preferences.

The type of fruit you choose for your marmalade also plays a crucial role in the final flavor profile of your Crostata di Marmellata.

Here are some popular fruit jams to consider:

• Apricot jam: Sweet and slightly tart, apricot jam is a classic choice for this jam tart and pairs wonderfully with the buttery crust.
• Raspberry jam: A popular alternative, raspberry jam adds a tangy flavor to the tart, creating a delightful contrast.
• Strawberry jam: Strawberry jam offers a familiar, comforting taste that is universally loved;
• Blackberry jam: For those who prefer a more robust and mildly tart marmalade, blackberry jam is an excellent choice.

You can also try one of my homemade jam recipes: apricot jam, peach jam, concord grape jam, bitter orange marmalade.

Ultimately, the right marmalade depends on your personal taste preferences.

Preparing the lattice top

1. On a lightly floured surface, cut the remaining pastry into 8 parts
2. Make 8 strips with each part.
   • 2 Longer strips
   • 4 Medium strips
   • 4 Shorter strips

1. To create the lattice pattern, place the 2 long strips as a cross in the center
2. Place the 4 medium strips next all around
3. Last place at the end of the 4 short strips
4. Brush the top with an egg wash
5. Bake in the middle rack of the oven for 35 minutes at 355 F - 180 C until the pastry turns golden brown and the jam is bubbling

Hint: save the remaining dough for later use, do not try to fit it all in the tart

Variation: crostatine

A fun variation of this tart recipe is to bake individual small crostate, in Italian called crostatine: small jam tarts.

They are a fun alternative for a picnic or a potluck; you fill them with different jams and you can make different top shapes.

To make these small crostatine I used these Mini Pans Set 4 and a cookie cutter for the top.

Serving Suggestions

Crostata is easy to make at home and requires no planning.

As long as you have the ingredients to make the shortcrust pastry (pasta frolla) and some jam, it can be made at the last minute and will last for the week.

It is the perfect dessert to use up opened jars of jam or marmalade.

Afternoon tea

A crumbly crostata or crostatina is a tasty accompaniment to coffee or tea.

Its sweet jam filling and tender pastry will pair beautifully with a hot cup of your preferred beverage, transforming any ordinary afternoon into a delightful break.

After a meal

Another option is to serve it as a dessert after a meal.

To make it more special, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side.

The cool creaminess will complement the warm, fruity flavors of the tart, creating a perfect harmony of tastes and textures.

Italian Breakfast

Italian often have it for breakfast as it is easy to eat on the go, perfect for a quick bite with an espresso.

It is a practical snack for children going to school or served for breakfast with a cup of cocoa.

Brunch

For a brunch treat, you can serve a slice of crostata with fresh fruit, like berries or citrus segments.

This will freshen your palate and add a beautiful pop of color to your table.

Alternatively, pair it with a refreshing yogurt or a creamy ricotta cheese as a delicious contrast to the sweet jam filling of the tart.

Picnic or potluck

At a picnic or potluck, I like to bring a selection of crostatine, place them on a decorative platter, and surround it with an assortment of cookies, pastries, or fresh fruit.

This will make an appealing and inviting spread for your guests to enjoy while chatting and relaxing outdoors.

As they do not need refrigeration, they are perfect also for warmer days.

For a special treat, serve crostata with homemade liqueurs.

You can find a selection of liqueurs in the article: Homemade Italian liqueurs

Storage and Shelf Life

Properly storing your Crostata di Marmellata is important to preserve its freshness and flavor.

To store your crostata, follow these simple steps:

1. Cool the crostata completely: Allow your freshly baked crostata to cool on a wire rack until it reaches room temperature. This helps prevent condensation from forming, which can make the crust soggy.
2. Wrap it well: Once cooled, wrap your crostata tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This prevents it from drying out and helps maintain its texture and taste.
3. Store at room temperature: Place your wrapped crostata in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. A pantry or cupboard is ideal for this purpose. Avoid storing it in the refrigerator, as the cold can cause the crust to become soggy.

As for shelf life, Crostata di Marmellata can last for up to 4-5 days at room temperature.

However, the freshness and texture of the crust might start to decline after a couple of days.

To enjoy your crostata at its best, consuming it within 2-3 days of baking is recommended.

If you have any leftover crostata and want to keep it longer, consider freezing it.

To freeze:

1. Slice it: Cut the crostata into individual portions, making it easier to thaw and serve later.
2. Wrap each slice individually: Use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to tightly wrap each slice.
3. Store in airtight containers or zip-top freezer bags: Place the wrapped slices in airtight containers or sealed freezer bags to protect them from freezer burn.
4. Label and date: Write the date and contents on the container or freezer bag, so you remember when it was frozen and what's inside.

Frozen Jam Crostata can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To defrost, simply remove the desired amount of slices and let them thaw at room temperature for approximately 1-2 hours before serving.

Enjoy your crostata as if it were freshly baked!

FAQ

More fruits desserts you may like

You can find more desserts made with fruits and jam here below:

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