Best Apple Crostata Recipes

APPLE CROSTATA

Steps:

• For the pastry, place the flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse a few times to combine. Add the butter and pulse 12 to 15 times, or until the butter is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water all at once through the feed tube. Keep hitting the pulse button to combine, but stop the machine just before the dough becomes a solid mass. Turn the dough onto a well-floured board and form into a disk. Wrap with plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Flour a rolling pin and roll the pastry into an 11-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Transfer it to a baking sheet.
• For the filling, peel, core, and cut the apples into 8ths. Cut each wedge into 3 chunks. Toss the chunks with the orange zest. Cover the tart dough with the apple chunks leaving a 1 1/2-inch border.
• Combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and allspice in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Pour into a bowl and rub it with your fingers until it starts holding together. Sprinkle evenly on the apples. Gently fold the border over the apples to enclose the dough, pleating it to make a circle.
• Bake the crostata for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is golden and the apples are tender. Allow to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

APPLE CROSTATA

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter using 2 knives or a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Mix water and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. Stir into flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together. Gently roll into a ball and flatten slightly. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Toss apples with 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons flour in a large bowl.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll dough out to a 12-inch circle on a floured work surface. Transfer to the baking sheet. Arrange apple slices in the center of the circle, leaving a 2-inch border all around. Fold up border over apples, pinching together slightly.
• Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle over apples.
• Bake crostata in the preheated oven until crust is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.

AMAZING APPLE CROSTATA

Steps:

• Mix flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt together with an electric mixer until combined. Mix in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add ice water, 2 teaspoons at a time, while the mixer is running until dough just holds together. Test dough by pinching a small amount between your fingers; if it is crumbly, add a 1 teaspoon more ice water at a time.
• Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill until slightly firm, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Squeeze 1/2 the lemon over the apple slices to keep from browning.
• Place a large piece of parchment paper on a flat work surface. Roll dough into a round 12 to 16 inches in diameter, 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Arrange apple slices in 2 layers on the dough, leaving a 1 1/2 to 2-inch border all around. Fold up the border, pleating the edge to make it fit; leave most of the apples uncovered.
• Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle over apples. Squeeze remaining 1/2 lemon over apples. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons sugar over crust. Transfer parchment paper to a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crust is golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes.

RUSTIC APPLE PIE CROSTATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine the apples with 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, the cornstarch, lemon juice and cinnamon. In another small bowl, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons brown sugar, the oats, butter, flour and salt.
• Place the piecrust on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon the apple mixture in the middle of the pie, leaving about a 1-inch border. Fold the crust edges over the filling, pleating occasionally. Spoon the oat mixture over the apples. Brush the crust with the egg and sprinkle with the raw sugar. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Pulse the flour, salt and sugar in a food processor. Add about one-third of the butter; process until the butter is combined. Pulse in the remaining butter in 5 or 6 pulses to form coarse crumbs. Add the vinegar; pulse quickly a few times while adding 1/3 cup ice water. Squeeze some dough between your fingers. It should just hold its shape; if it's still crumbly, quickly pulse in more ice water by the tablespoonful. (Do not overwork the dough.)
• Turn the dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap the dough, then press and flatten into a thin round. Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Roll out the dough into an 11-to-12-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick, on a lightly floured surface. Center over a 9-inch pie plate. Fold in the edges and crimp as desired. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before using.

APPLE CRUMB CROSTATA

Steps:

• To make the crust, mix flour, sugar, salt, and butter on medium speed until mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the yolks; mix slightly. Add ice water. Mix until just combined. Form dough into disk; wrap in plastic. Chill for 1 hour or up to 3 days.
• To make the filling, melt butter in a large pan on high heat. Add apples, zests, and salt, stirring until coated. Sprinkle sugar, and saute, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, liquid has thickened, and apples are almost golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet, and let cool to room temperature.
• To make the crumb topping, combine flour, dark-brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and butter in a food processor, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse sand. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• To assemble, preheat oven to 375 degrees and flour a piece of parchment paper. Roll chilled dough into a 1/4-inch-thick, 14-inch circle on parchment (trim excess). Place dough and parchment on cookie sheet. Mound cooled apple mixture in center, leaving a 3-inch border. Sprinkle crumb mixture on top of apples. Fold edges of the dough on top of apples, overlapping and leaving about a 6-inch round opening. Refrigerate until dough is firm, about 30 minutes. Brush edge of crust with egg, and sprinkle with sugar. Bake until pastry is golden brown and apples are tender, about 40 to 50 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, with vanilla ice cream.

APPLE CROSTATA WITH CHEDDAR CRUST

Steps:

• Make the crust: Roll out dough to a 13-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick, on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Make the filling: Toss together apples, granulated sugar, flour, lemon juice, and cinnamon.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread filling over dough, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border. Fold edges in to form a crust; brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Refrigerate until edges are firm, about 30 minutes.
• Bake crostata until apples are tender and crust is golden, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Let cool slightly. Brush apples with apricot preserves.

BROWN BUTTER APPLE CROSTATA WITH APPLE CIDER CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the crust: Combine the flour, butter and salt in a food processor, and pulse until the mixture looks like Parmesan. Drizzle in half the ice water and pulse until the mixture forms a rough ball, adding the remaining water if needed. Remove and form the dough into a disk, and then wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• For the filling: Melt the butter in a small saucepan and add the vanilla bean. Cook until the butter starts to brown and begins to smell like hazelnuts, and then remove the vanilla bean pod and transfer the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a paddle. Add the sugar and beat on medium speed. Gradually add the flour. Once the flour has been incorporated, add the eggs one at a time.
• For the apples: Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook the raisins, sugar and apples until the apples begin to soften, 6 to7 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour in the brandy, then return to the fire and flambe, letting the alcohol burn off.
• For assembly: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the dough from the fridge 15 minutes before using, allowing it to soften and come to room temperature. Dust a clean work surface with flour. Roll the dough 1/8-inch-thick and lay it into the tart molds with lots of overhang on the sides. Schmear half the filling into the bottom of the tart pans and top with the apples. Fold the extra dough over the top of the apples, and then brush the dough with the egg wash. Bake until the tops are golden brown and slightly crispy, about 25 minutes. Cool.
• Loosen the edges of the tart from the mold using a sharp paring knife. Gently remove the tart mold before plating. Serve with the Cinnamon Mascarpone and Apple Cider Caramel Sauce.
• Mix the mascarpone, sugar and cinnamon in a bowl until well incorporated. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Cook the apple cider and lemon juice in a large heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium heat until reduced to a syrupy consistency, about 10 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the butter, 2 pats at a time, allowing the butter to melt before adding more. Serve warm.

APPLE CRUMB CROSTATA

Steps:

• Make the crust: Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and blend for 5 seconds. Add butter, pulsing, until mixture resembles small peas. Add ice water and continue to pulse until mixture comes together in moist clumps; if mixture is too dry add a bit more water a tablespoon at a time. Gather dough into a ball, flatten into a disc, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour or freeze for up to a month.
• Make the filling: In a large bowl toss together sliced apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, zest and vanilla. Set aside.
• Make the crumble: In a medium bowl, mix together granulated sugar, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle in melted butter and, using a fork, stir until mixture is crumbly and all the flour is incorporated; the crumbs should be smaller than 1 inch.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 14-inch circle. Transfer to baking sheet and chill until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Remove baking sheet from refrigerator and let soften for 1 to 2 minutes. Arrange filling evenly in the center of the dough, leaving a 4-inch border all around; reserve the juices. Brush exposed dough border with beaten egg and fold edge in up over fruit, making pleats every 2 inches. Pour remaining juices over exposed fruit, brush the folded outer edge with beaten egg, and sprinkle with raw sugar. Cover exposed fruit with about 1 cup crumble.
• Bake crostata until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling, about 40 to 50 minutes. Remove and let cool before serving. Serve with bacon toffee sauce, if desired.

APPLE CROSTATA WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Mix 1/2 cup sugar and the flour in large bowl. Stir in apples. The sugar-flour mixture will not all stick to the apples; that's OK.
• Spread the apple mixture uniformly from center of the dough circle to within 2 inches of edge. Fold edge of dough over apple mixture; crimp edge of dough slightly.
• Mix 2 tablespoons sugar, nutmeg & cinnamon; sprinkle over apples and dough.
• Cut the 1 Tbsp butter into 5 or 6 small pieces; spread on top of the apples.
• Bake 27 to 32 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
• Cut into wedges. Serve warm drizzled with caramel topping.

PEAR AND APPLE CROSTATA WITH FIVE-SPICE WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• for crust:
• Mix both flours, sugar and salt in processor. Add butter and shortening. Using on/off turns, process until butter and shortening form pea-size pieces. Mix in enough ice water to form moist clumps. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• for filling:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Combine first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Toss to blend. Let stand until juices form, about 15 minutes.
• Roll out dough on lightly floured work surface to 1 1/2-inch round. Transfer dough to unrimmed baking sheet. Mound filling atop dough, leaving 2-inch border. Fold dough border over filling to form 7-inch round, pleating loosely and pinching to seal any cracks in dough. Brush crust and fruit with egg, then sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Bake crostata until crust is golden and juices bubble thickly, about 40 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to rack; cool 10 minutes. Slide metal spatula under crust to free from baking sheet. Cool crostata to lukewarm. Using large tart pan bottom as aid, transfer crostata to platter.
• Whip cream, honey and five-spice powder in medium bowl until stiff. Serve crostata lukewarm or at room temperature with whipped cream.
• *A blend of ground anise, cinnamon, star anise, cloves and ginger, available in the spice section of most supermarkets.

PEAR, APPLE, AND QUINCE CROSTATA

Steps:

• Make roasted fruit:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Peel, quarter, and core pears, apples, and quince, then cut into 1-inch chunks. Toss fruit with sugar, lemon juice, ginger, cinnamon stick, cloves, and 1 tablespoon apple cider in a bowl. Transfer to a large shallow baking pan (17 by 12 inches) and roast, stirring once or twice, until fruit is very soft and caramelized, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
• Remove from oven and add remaining tablespoon apple cider, scraping up caramelized juices from bottom of baking pan. Discard cinnamon stick and cloves. Cool in pan on a rack, about 45 minutes.
• Make pastry shell while fruit roasts:
• Whisk together flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl. Blend in butter with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal with some roughly pea-size butter lumps. Drizzle evenly with 6 tablespoons ice water and gently stir with a fork (or pulse) until incorporated.
• Squeeze a small handful: If dough doesn't hold together, add more ice water to dough, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring (or pulsing) until just combined. (Do not overwork mixture, or pastry will be tough.)
• Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 6 portions. With heel of your hand, smear each portion once or twice in a forward motion to help distribute fat. Gather all of dough together with scraper and press into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Chill dough, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 14-inch round, then fit into tart pan (do not trim).
• Make brown sugar filling:
• Put a large baking sheet in middle of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Beat together butter and sugars in a large bowl using an electric mixer at high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low, then add flour and a pinch of salt and mix until just combined. Spread evenly in pastry shell.
• Assemble and bake pastry:
• Scatter roasted fruit with juices over filling. Fold edge of pastry over filling to partially cover (center won't be covered). Pleat dough as necessary. Brush folded pastry edge lightly with egg and sprinkle with remaining tablespoon sugar.
• Bake on preheated baking sheet until filling is puffed and set and pastry is golden brown, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool to warm, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove side of tart pan and slide crostata onto a plate.

APPLE CROSTATA WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In medium bowl, mix 1 cup flour and the salt. Cut in shortening and butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle oil and buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time) sprinkle over flour mixture, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and dough almost cleans side of bowl.
• Gather dough into a ball; shape into flattened 5-inch round on lightly floured ungreased large cookie sheet. With floured rolling pin, roll pastry into 12-inch round.
• In large bowl, mix 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons flour. Stir in apples until coated. Mound apple mixture on center of dough round to within 2 inches of edge. Fold edge of dough over apple mixture; crimp edge of dough slightly. In small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon sugar and the cinnamon; sprinkle over apples and dough.
• Bake 42 to 47 minutes or until crust is golden brown and apples are fork tender. (If apples begin to brown to quickly, coverthe apples loosely with aluminum foil.) Cut into wedges. Serve warm drizzled with caramel topping.

APPLE CROSTATA WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Make Crostata Crust: Cut butter into flour, sugar and salt in medium bowl, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until particles are size of small peas.
• Mix vanilla and water; sprinkle over flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and dough almost cleans side of bowl (up to 1 tablespoon more water can be added if necessary).
• Gather dough into a ball; shape into flattened 5-inch round.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 30 minutes or until firm.
• Roll pastry into 12-inch circle on lightly floured surface.
• Place on ungreased large cookie sheet.
• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Mix 1/2 cup sugar and the flour in large bowl.
• Stir in apples.
• Mound apple mixture on center of dough circle to within 2 inches of edge.
• Fold edge of dough over apple mixture; crimp edge of dough slightly.
• Mix 1 tablespoon sugar and the cinnamon; sprinkle over apples and dough.
• Bake 27 to 32 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
• Cut into wedges.
• Serve warm drizzled with caramel topping.

APPLE CROSTATA

Steps:

• For crust:
• Place flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor; pulse to blend. Add butter; pulse just until coarse meal forms. Add 1/4 cup ice water; pulse until dough forms clumps, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into a ball; flatten into a disk. Wrap dough in plastic and chill 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Crust can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled. Allow to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften slightly before rolling out.
• For filling:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place a large sheet of parchment paper on a work surface. Roll out dough disk on parchment paper to 15" round (some of dough will extend over edges of paper).
• Whisk sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl. Add apples and lemon juice to bowl with sugar mixture; toss to coat apples evenly.
• Transfer apples to crust, mounding in center and leaving a 3" plain border. Scrape out any juices from bowl and drizzle over apples. Fold crust edges up over outer edges of filling, crimping dough and folding and pleating as needed to fit. Slide crostata and parchment onto a large rimless baking sheet. Crack egg into a small bowl. Using a fork, beat egg just to blend. Brush crust edges with beaten egg, then sprinkle crust with raw sugar.
• Place crostata in oven and bake until juices in center are thick and bubbling, about 1 hour. Let cool for 5 minutes. Run a long, thin knife or offset spatula around edges of crostata to loosen from paper and to prevent it from sticking to the paper.
• Transfer baking sheet with crostata to a wire rack. Brush apples generously with maple syrup. Let crostata cool. Cut crostata into wedges. Place wedges on plates. Serve with a scoop of ice cream, gelato, or whipped cream.

APPLE CROSTATA WITH SPICED CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Make dough:
• Blend together flour, sugar, salt, zest, and butter in a bowl with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal. Whisk together egg and vanilla in a small bowl and drizzle over flour mixture, then gently stir with a fork (or pulse) until incorporated and dough begins to form large clumps.
• Gather all dough together, then divide dough in half and form each half into a 5- to 6-inch disk. Chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, until more firm, but not hard, about 30 minutes.
• Make filling while dough chills:
• Melt butter in a heavy, wide 6- to 8-quart pot over medium-high heat. Stir in brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt, and apples, and cook, uncovered, stirring and turning apples over occasionally, until apples soften and juices thicken and begin to caramelize, 10 to 15 minutes (lower heat if apple mixture browns too quickly). Transfer to a shallow bowl and chill until cooled.
• Assemble crostata:
• Heat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Invert bottom of springform pan (to make it easier to slide crostata off bottom), then lock pan. Generously butter springform pan and chill or freeze briefly to firm up butter.
• Press one disk of dough evenly onto bottom and 1 inch up side of pan (use the smooth bottom of a metal measuring cup to help make it even). Chill tart shell.
• Roll out remaining disk of dough between 2 sheets of wax paper into a 10-inch round (dough will be very tender). Peel off top sheet of paper, then cut dough into 10 (3/4-inch-wide) strips and slide (still on paper) onto a baking sheet. Chill until firm, about 15 minutes in refrigerator or 5 minutes in freezer.
• Spoon apple filling in shell, distributing slices evenly. Arrange 5 strips of dough parallel to each other, 1 inch apart, on filling, trimming edges flush with edge of pan (dough will tear easily; patch any breaks with fingers). Arrange remaining 5 strips diagonally across first strips, 1 inch apart, to form a lattice, and trim edges.
• Gather remaining dough and roll into several long, 1/4-inch-thick ropes. Press enough ropes around edge of crostata in a single layer, smoothing seams with fingers, to form an even edge (you will have a little dough left over).
• Bake crostata until pastry is pale golden, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
• Near end of baking, heat apricot preserves with 1 teaspoon water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring, until melted, then strain through a sieve into a small bowl.
• When crostata is done, brush top with warm apricot glaze. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack, then remove side of pan.
• Make caramel sauce while crostata bakes:
• Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer, then remove from heat and keep hot, covered.
• Stir sugars together with 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice in a heavy 2 1/2- to 3-quart saucepan, then cook undisturbed over medium heat until mixture is partially melted (reduce heat if mixture turns dark around edge). Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until completely melted and mixture is a deep golden caramel.
• Carefully pour in hot cream (mixture will bubble up and caramel may harden slightly) and quickly whisk in pumpkin pie spice and salt. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until caramel is dissolved and sauce is reduced to about 1 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in butter until melted. Transfer to a glass measure to let cool slightly.
• To serve, either slide crostata from pan bottom onto a flat serving plate or serve on pan bottom.

APPLE CROSTATA WITH CINNAMON-ALMOND TOPPING

Steps:

• For crust:
• Mix flour, sugar, and salt in medium bowl. Add butter. Cut in with back of fork until butter is reduced to oatmeal-size flakes. Add 3 tablespoons ice water. Toss until moist clumps form, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap and chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• For topping:
• Mix flour, brown sugar, cornmeal, cinnamon, and salt in bowl. Add butter. Blend with back of fork until moist clumps form. Mix in almonds.
• For filling:
• Set rack at lowest position in oven and preheat to 400°F. Place 6 tablespoons sugar in large bowl. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; stir to blend well. Mix in apples. Add 2 tablespoons melted butter and toss to coat.
• Roll out dough on floured sheet of parchment paper to 13 1/2-inch round. Arrange apple filling in center, mounding slightly and leaving 2-inch plain border. Gently fold dough border over edge of filling, pleating loosely and pinching any cracks to seal. Brush dough border with remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Sprinkle topping over exposed apple filling.
• Slide rimless baking sheet under parchment and crostata and place in oven. Bake until crust is crisp and apples are tender, turning baking sheet after 20 minutes, about 40 minutes total.
• Run knife under crostata to loosen from paper. Cool crostata completely on paper on baking sheet.

APPLE CROSTATA (INA GARTEN)

Steps:

• For Pastry: Place the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor fitted with a steel blade.
• Pulse a few times to combine.
• Add the butter and pulse 12-15 times, or until the butter is the size of peas.
• With the motor running, add the ice water all-at-once through the feed tube.
• Keep hitting the pulse button to combine, but stop the machine just before the dough becomes a solid mass.
• Turn the dough onto a well floured board and form into a disc.
• Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour.
• Meanwhile-- preheat over to 450 degrees and make filling.
• After the dough has been in frig for one hour-- Roll pastry into an 11-inch circle and transfer to baking sheet.
• For Filling: Peel, core and cut apples into 8ths.
• Cut each wedge into 3 chunks.
• Toss with orange zest.
• Cover tart dough with the apples leaving a 1 1/2 inch border.
• Make topping: Combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and allspice in bowl of food processor fitted with a steel blade.
• Add the butter and pulse until mixture is crumbly.
• Pour into a bowl and rub it with your fingers until it starts holding together.
• Sprinkle evenly over apples.
• Gently fold the border over the apples to enclose the apples, pleating it to make a circle.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden and the apples are tender.
• Allow to cool.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

APPLE CROSTATA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Remove pie crust from pouch; sprinkle with flour and roll out slightly.
• Place dough on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Mix sugar, brown sugar, the flour and cinnamon in medium bowl.
• Add lemon juice to apples; toss gently, then add sugar mixture and combine.
• Spoon apple mixture onto center of crust, spreading to within 2 inches of edge.
• Fold edge of crust over apples; crimp and fold dough like pleats.
• Cut butter into small pieces and place in several spots on top of apples.
• Bake 30 to 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender.
• Poke apples with a knife tip to see if they are done.
• If crust becomes too brown, place a sheet of aluminum foil over the top during baking.

APPLE CROSTATA WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Mix flour, sugar, and salt in processor. Cut in butter, using on/off turns, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Whisk yolk, 1 tablespoon ice water, and vanilla extract in small bowl to blend. Add egg mixture to processor; blend until dough clumps together, adding more ice water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Form dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill at least 1 hour.
• Roll out dough on floured surface to 12-inch round. Transfer to 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Trim dough overhang to 1 inch; fold dough overhang in and press onto sides of pan. Pierce crust all over with fork. Refrigerate crust for 1 hour.
• For filling:
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 400°F. Mix first 3 ingredients in bowl. Arrange apple slices in concentric circles in crust, overlapping and fitting tightly together. Sprinkle with sugar mixture. Dot with butter. Bake until apples are tender and beginning to brown and crust is golden, about 55 minutes. Cool tart in pan on rack at least 45 minutes. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Serve tart slightly warm or at room temperature with cheese.

APPLE CROSTATA WITH CRYSTALLIZED GINGER

Steps:

• For crust:
• Combine flour, sugar, and salt in processor; blend 5 seconds. Add butter; using on/off turns, cut in until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 3 tablespoons ice water. Using on/off turns, blend until moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic; chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• For filling:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 425°F. Combine apples, 3 tablespoons sugar, crystallized ginger, and lemon juice in large bowl; toss gently to blend.
• Roll out dough on large sheet of parchment paper to 14-inch round. Transfer parchment with dough to large baking sheet. Arrange 3/4 of apple mixture in center of dough, mounding just slightly, forming 8-inch-diameter circle and leaving 3-inch plain border. Overlap remaining apple slices in concentric circles atop apple layer. Fold plain edge of crust over apples, leaving apples exposed in center. Gently fold and pinch dough edge to seal any cracks. Sprinkle apples with 1 tablespoon sugar, then dot apples with butter. Brush crust with milk and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Bake crostata until crust is golden brown and apples are tender, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven. Brush apples with warm apricot preserves. Cool on baking sheet 15 minutes. Slide long knife under crostata to loosen. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand on sheet at room temperature. Rewarm in 425°F oven 5 minutes before serving.) Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream, as desired.