Apple Tart - Crostata di Mele

What I love most about cooking is baking.
And what I love most about baking is eating what I've just baked!
I really like pasta, and I cannot do without it.
But I absolutely adore good Italian desserts. I will never turn down a millefoglie pastry, a cream-filled bigne', a frittella with zabaione cream ...
In the mood for some baking now? I am ready!

Today I will show you how to prepare a classic, simple and delicious dessert: Crostata di Mele. 
This apple tart is perfect for every occasion, with its elegant look and delicate flavor everyone will love it!


Ingredients to make an 11 inch tart:

Dough:

• 2 egg yolks
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks of butter softened (or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Filling:

• 4 medium apples, about 2 pounds
• lemon juice (half lemon should be enough)
• 3 tablespoons of sugar

Top:

• 2 apples, sliced thinly
• 1 tablespoon of apricot preserve
• powder sugar for decoration

Directions:

Step 1: Peel and thinly slice 4 apples for the filling. Place in a saucepan with a couple of tablespoons of water, sugar and lemon juice. Simmer over medium heat until the apples are dry and soft, about 15 minutes. While the apples are cooking you can prepare the dough.


Step 2: In large bowl add the egg yolks and the sugar. Mix with mixer at low speed until well blended.


Step 3: Add butter, vanilla extract and salt. Mix well.



Step 4: Add milk and flour, one cup at the time. Blend until the flour is all mixed in.


Step 5: Grease an 11 inch tart pan with butter and flour. Press the dough to the bottom of the pan with a spoon or your fingers. Make it as flat as possible. Work with your fingers around the edge to make it even. Remove any extra dough. Prick the dough with a fork.


Step 6: Turn on the oven at 350 degrees. Peel and thinly slice the remaining two apples. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Spread the cooked apples over the pie crust, and then place the uncooked apple slices on top, as shown in picture. Brush the top with apricot preserve. Bake for 35 minutes.



Let the apple tart cool down. Remove from pan and sprinkle with powder sugar.

Buonissima, right? It looks and tastes delicious. Enjoy!

Crostata di Mele