Description
Sour cherry and ricotta crostata is a classic Italian dessert popular in Rome. This easy dessert is sure to impress and brings a taste of the Jewish Quarter to your home.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortcrust Pastry
- 300g flour
- 120g granulated sugar
- 150g cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3 egg yolks
- pinch of salt
- grated zest of 1 lemon
Filling
- 10oz jar sour cherry jam (or cherry jam with less sugar; I use Polaner All Fruit Jam)
- 425g container of ricotta
- 6–7 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
Instructions
- Make the crust by combining flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
- Add the cubed cold butter and cut into the flour mixture until a pebbly dough forms.
- Add the egg yolks and lemon zest. Combine until the dough sticks together.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Work into a ball. Flatten and wrap in plastic.
- Leave the dough in the fridge 30 minutes to let the butter cool down again.
- While the dough cools, make the filling and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta and sugar until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and stir well.
- Remove the dough from the fridge. Set aside 1/3 of the dough for the top.
- Gently press the dough into the springform pan coming up the sides about an inch.
- Prick the bottom of the pan with a fork. Spread the jam, pour on the ricotta mixture, and level the top.
- Using the remaining dough make your desired top. The traditional way is lattice, but we often cut shapes and decorate the top. If making lattice, press the edges with a fork to seal them.
- Bake the crostata 50 mins or until the top is golden.
- Cool the crostata and remove it from the pan.
- Before servings sprinkle with a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Enjoy with espresso, tea, or a good glass of wine.
Notes
- The dough can be frozen for up to a month before being used. Let it soften in the fridge before using.
- We found it easiest to slice and maintain the layers by letting it chill in the fridge once cool.
Keywords: crostata, italian, jam, cherry