Just Desserts: Cranberry and Walnut Crostata

'Crostata' is an italian baked dessert very similar to a pie. It is generally prepared by folding the edges of the dough over the filling. Its not too sweet, and the walnuts give it a nice crunch. The recipe looks a bit complicated at first, but believe me, it is much simpler than it looks.

Ingredients:

Walnut Crust Dough:

3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp sugar + 1 tsp sugar(to sprinkle on crostata)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 toasted walnuts, finely chopped
2 tbsp chilled unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1 egg yolk
egg white (to brush on the crostata)
1 1/2 tbsp ice water

Cranberry Walnut Filling:

1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup toasted walnuts
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder

Method:

Making the crust:
Mix the flour, sugar and salt in an electric mixer on low speed for 15 seconds. Add 3/4 of the roasted walnuts and mix for 15 seconds. Add the chilled butter and mix on low for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes until the mixture becomes coarse. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk with the ice water. Add to the flour mixture and blend for 1 minute until you get a loose dough. Form a smooth ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for atleast 2 hours.

Preparing the filling:
Heat the heavy cream, sugar over medium heat. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 6 mins until slightly thickened. Switch off the heat, add the cranberries, walnuts and cinnamon and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Assembling and baking the crostata:
Preheat the oven to 375 deg F. Roll the dough into a circle about 1/8 inch thick. Place the rolled dough on a parchment paper on a baking sheet. Pour the cranberry walnut filling onto the center of the dough. Fold the edges of the dough towards the center. Refrigerate for 10 mins.

This is what it looks like before baking

In a small bowl, whisk the egg white. Brush the top of the crostata with the whisked egg. Sprinkle the reserved chopped walnuts over it. Sprinkle the remaining sugar. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Remove the crostata from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature. Serve warm with whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream!