A delicious dessert perfect for any gathering is this Apple Crostata recipe by Giada De Laurentiis, made simply using all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, unsalted butter, and Golden Delicious apples.

To make Giada’s Apple Crostata, start by mixing flour, sugar, and salt, then add chilled butter until crumbly. After chilling the dough, roll it out, top it with seasoned apple slices, and bake for about 40 minutes until golden.

Whether you are making this apple crostata, chocolate amaretti cookies, or her brownie walnut pie, all of Giada’s dessert recipes are sure to amaze.

Can I Use Store-Bought Pie Dough for this Crostata?

Absolutely, you can! If you’re short on time or just not up for making dough from scratch, grab a high-quality store-bought pie dough. Just roll it out and fill it up; no one will be the wiser.

Giada De Laurentiis Apple Crostata Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons ice water

for the Filling:

• 2 small Golden Delicious apples, peeled, halved, cored, and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• 1 Pippin apple, peeled, halved, cored and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 large egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon of water (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

How To Make Giada De Laurentiis Apple Crostata

1. Prepare the Dough: In a food processor, combine the flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and salt. Add the chilled butter and pulse until the mixture looks like a coarse meal. Drizzle in the ice water and pulse until the dough begins to form moist clumps. If it’s still crumbly, add another tablespoon of ice water.
2. Chill the Dough: Gather the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disk, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, which should take about 1 hour.
3. Prepare Your Oven and Filling: Position the oven rack in the center and preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with 1/4 cup of sugar and lemon juice. Let them sit for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
4. Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour a large sheet of parchment paper and roll out the dough into an 11-inch round. Transfer the dough and parchment paper onto a large baking sheet.
5. Assemble the Crostata: Spoon the apple mixture over the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the dough border over the filling to create an 8-inch round, leaving the center apples exposed. Pleat and pinch the dough to seal any cracks.
6. Apply Egg Wash and Sugar: Brush the crust with the egg wash and sprinkle it with the remaining tablespoon of sugar.
7. Bake the Crostata: Bake until the crust turns golden and the apples are tender about 40 minutes. Remove the baking sheet and let it cool on a rack for 10 minutes.
8. Cool and Serve: Use a metal spatula to loosen the crostata from the parchment. Allow it to cool to lukewarm, then sprinkle with toasted almonds before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Blind Baking Brilliance: To avoid a soggy bottom, blind-bake your crust for 10 minutes before adding the apples. It’s like giving your crostata a little armor against those juicy apple slices.
• Thickener Throw-In: If you’re worried about runny filling, a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with your apples will thicken things right up. Think of it as the safety net for your fruit acrobats.
• Sugar Shuffle: Mix it up by using brown sugar instead of white in your filling for a deeper, caramel-like flavor that makes the apples sing a sweet, soulful tune.
• Lattice Love: Feeling fancy? Swap the simple fold-over crust for a lattice top. It’s a little extra effort for a lot of extra ‘wow’ at your table.

Recipe Variations

• Cranberry Comeback: Add a cup of fresh cranberries to your apple mix for a tart contrast that pops both in flavor and color—like little rubies in a treasure chest of apples.
• Zesty Zing: Grate some orange zest into your dough for a citrusy twist that’ll make your taste buds do the tango.
• Boozy Bites: A splash of bourbon in your apple filling can turn your crostata into a boozy delight. Just a tablespoon or two and you’re on your way to a spirited dessert.
• Chocolate Chunk Charm: Toss in a handful of dark chocolate chunks with your apples for a decadent twist. It’s like having your cake and eating your pie too!

What To Serve With Apple Crostata

Serve your Apple Crostata with a side of ginger-spiced mascarpone, a handful of toasted hazelnuts, a touch of honey-infused Greek yogurt, a few fresh fig slices, and a mint leaf garnish.

You can also pair it with a spiced rum cocktail or a hot cinnamon tea for an enhanced dessert experience.

How To Store Leftover Apple Crostata

In The Fridge:

Wrap your leftover Apple Crostata tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and texture.

In The Freezer:

Apple Crostata does not freeze well due to its pastry base, which can become soggy when thawed. For best results, enjoy your crostata fresh or store it in the fridge as directed above.

How To Reheat Leftover Apple Crostata

Reheat your leftover Apple Crostata by placing it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat it for about 10 minutes or until it is warm throughout. This method helps preserve the crust’s crispiness.

Check out More Giada Dessert Recipes:

• Giada Baked Blueberry French Toast Casserole
• Giada De Laurentiis Vegan Apple Crisp
• Giada De Laurentiis Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge
• Giada De Laurentiis Chocolate Ricotta Cheesecake