Caramel Apple and Pear Crostata #recipe
Author: Cindy ~ Hun…What’s For Dinner?
Recipe type: Tart
Fall is in the air!! The days are getting shorter, the weather cooler and the produce is slowly changing from fresh summer fruits and veggies, to hearty Fall bounties. One of our favourite was to celebrate the coming of Fall, is to go apple picking. This year apples were not as plentiful as they should have been, but we still managed to come home with some beautiful Nova Macs in great abundance. When the cooler weather starts, I long for comforting, hearty and warm dessert. This Apple and Pear Crostata is a beautiful way to showcase the beauty of Autumn fruits. Layered in a flaky crust with warm caramel, this tart is sure to make you long for cool nights, in front of the fire.
Ingredients
- CRUST:
- ⅓ cup(s) of lard
- 1 cup(s) of flour
- 1 tbsp. of baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. of white vinegar
- water
- FILLING:
- 4 cooking apples (I used Nova Macs, but Granny Smith would be fine)
- 4 bartlet pears (slightly ripe and soft to the touch)
- ¼ C brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 Tbs lemon juice
- 2 tbs flour
- 1 jar caramel sauce
- 1 egg
- water
- white sugar
- ¼ C chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in lard, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a 1 c measure whisk the egg with the vinegar. Add enough water to fill the cup. Add half the egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix to form a dough; adding more water if needed. Pour onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5 times. Form into a ball, dust with flour and roll into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer to a cookie sheet.
- Peel and slice apples and pears and place in a seperate mixing bowl. Sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice and flour; tossing to coat evenly. Spread enough caramel sauce onto the dough, to cover; leaving an inch boarder all the way around. Arrange the apple and pear slices, alternatingly in a single layer, onto the caramel. Fold the 1-inch boarder of dough onto the filling, leaving the center uncovered. Brush edges with egg wash and sprinkle with white sugar and walnuts.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes; until the crust begins to brown and the filling is bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving; drizzling with extra caramel sauce.
Cindy is a Stay at Home Mom of 2, married to a Chef. Cindy quickly realized that if she didn’t want to live off of cereal, blue box Mac’n’Cheese and TV dinners, she needed to get into the kitchen; after a long day at work, the last thing her hubby wants is to cook her a 4 star dinner. When her son turned 2, she decided to start blogging and Hun… What’s for Dinner? was born. Cindy tries to share healthy and wholesome dishes, with a few desserts here and there. Though baking is her passion, she has recently become more adventurous in the kitchen and loves creating new and innovative recipes.
Yummm… looks delicious!