Welcome back to another day filled with an amazing Apple Dessert! All this week I have been sharing recipes to celebrate the apple season, we have enjoyed Mini Caramel Apple Pizzas, Apple Stuffed Cinnamon Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting, and a fun Mini Caramel Apple Fondue that the kiddos {and adults} will love.

Today I’m serving up a Warm Apple Crostata with Crumble Topping, inspired by our Anniversary Date to Olive Garden earlier this week. I had plans to share a rustic Apple Pie with you today, but when I saw the Apple Crostata on the menu, I knew I had to find a recipe and share it. I didn’t have to look too far, until I found a recipe from Ina Garten, then I changed it a bit and added the Crumble Topping.

So what exactly is a Crostata? The Crostata, a premier Italian pastry, is a pie like crust that can be made into any shape, from small to large, and can be filled with a large variety of fruit fillings.

The Crostata can be prepared as an open faced dessert or be covered with a top crust, allowing this pastry to be easily adapted to all sorts of occasions.

Although this was my first attempt at baking a Crostata, I definitely think it may take over my love of Apple Pie. The crust was a snap to make in the food processor and it rolled out very easily too. And the addition of the crumble topping made it taste similar to an Apple Crisp, which is one of my all time favorite Apple Desserts.

Warm Apple Crostata with Crumble Topping

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Just like Apple Pie but easier to make. Recipe from HoosierHomemade.com. Adapted from Ina Garten

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Ingredients

Pastry {crust}

• 1 cup flour, all-purpose
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup {1 stick} butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons ice water

Filling

• 3 large apples, peeled, cored and diced
• 1/4 teaspoon orange zest {about 1/2 of an orange}

Crumble Topping

• 1/4 cup flour, all-purpose
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup crushed vanilla wafers
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon allspice
• 6 tablespoons butter, cold and cut into cubes

Instructions

Pastry

1. In a food processor, add the flour, sugar and salt, pulse a few times to combine.
2. Add the butter and pulse until the butter is the size of peas
3. With the processor running, add the ice water through the feed tube. Combine just before the dough becomes a solid mass
4. Turn dough onto a well floured surface and form into a disk. Wrap in plastic and place in fridge to chill while you prepare the filling and topping. Note: the pastry can be made ahead of time and kept in fridge for up to 24 hours.

Filling

1. Peel, core and slice apples. Place in medium bowl and add orange zest. Toss to coat.

Topping

1. In the food processor, crush about 15 vanilla wafers, add the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and allspice. Pulse to combine.
2. Add the butter and pulse until mixture is crumbly.
3. Pour into bowl and work mixture with your fingers until well combined.

Crostata

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. On a well floured surface, roll out pastry to about an 11 inch circle
3. Add apples to the center, leaving 1 1/2 inches around the edge
4. Fold the pastry over the apples, overlapping when necessary
5. Sprinkle with crumble topping
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until crust is golden and apples are tender and bubbly.
7. Serve warm or cool with ice cream, if you like, a sprinkle of vanilla wafers and a drizzle of caramel topping.

Stop back everyday this week for another yummy Apple Dessert! And be sure to check out my Apple Pinterest Board for more apple treats and ideas!

 Linking to…Gooseberry Patch