The lovely thing about this Rustic Pear Crostata is that it works on so many levels for so many occasions. Whether it’s dessert or a dessert-like breakfast you’re going for…this crostata will serve you well!
The day called for a Rustic Pear Crostata.
It all began with my morning run…
I slept a little later than usual…roused at 7:30 instead of 6:00 for my early morning ritual. Because they let me sleep in, my two partners in crime were already on with their day, so I washed up, laced up, and headed down myself. It was a short but soothing ride to the canal. Vince Guaraldi kept me company as I drove the winding tree lined road that I swear would make the perfect setting for a car commercial. The trees, still mostly green with the tiniest hints of red; the sky, gray, with blue fighting to be seen but losing its battle; and with the slightest mist of rain and calming ripple-y water in my peripheral, I was ready.
I popped in my earbuds and set out for a jog that I hoped would be longer than my last. With an even pace and awareness of my breathing, I accomplished my goal. It was a very good morning.
While running, no – actually, it was before that – while driving and listening to Linus & Lucy, I was thinking that it was the kind of day that called for rustic cooking. Imperfectly perfect. And the run confirmed it.
I got home and pulled out my 20 year old recipe for pie dough and decided in that moment that I wanted to play with the recipe a little. I guess after my run I was feeling fearless. It’s taken me this long to even attempt to modify the recipe as it’s one I scored from the church ladies of our community. I mean, how could it ever be better, right? Well, with a few minor adjustments, I was pleased with the result.
Is it better?
I’ll say this…it’s just as good…maybe even a little more buttery-tasting with a gorgeous flakiness that can’t be denied. But better? Ummm, I would feel guilty saying so…so I won’t say it.
You can perceive that any way you’d like.
So, yes, this buttery dough made a perfect vessel for my Italian free-form tart. A tart filled with paper thin sliced Bartlett pears, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and a splash of lemon juice.
If your mouth is watering and your lips are smacking – there’s good reason…
The thing I like about using pears vs. apples is they don’t produce as much liquid while baking. They hold together beautifully, they actually melt into each other while the crostata crust bakes up to a perfect crispy and buttery bite.
Whether it’s dessert or a dessert-like breakfast you’re going for…this Rustic Pear Crostata will serve you well.
Buon Appetito!
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Rustic Pear Crostata
- Category: Dessert
Description
The lovely thing about this Rustic Pear Crostata is that it works on so many levels for so many occasions. Whether it’s dessert or a dessert-like breakfast you’re going for…this crostata will serve you well!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cups salted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. ice cold water
- 4 large Bartlett pears, sliced paper thin
- Heaping 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/8 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. flour
- 2 – 3 Tbsp. milk
- Sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, place the flour, butter and water.
- Mix with your hands until everything is combined and the dough becomes one solid mass.
- Turn the dough onto a well-floured board and form into a disk.
- Wrap the disk with plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- In a large bowl combine pears, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice and flour.
- Remove dough from the refrigerator.
- Place a piece of parchment on a baking sheet then roll out the dough on the parchment to form a 12 inch circle.
- Leaving about 1 1/2 inches around the perimeter of the dough, pile the pear mixture in the center.
- Gently fold the border up and around the pears, pleating to make a circle.
- Brush milk around the edges of the dough and sprinkle the entire crostata with sugar.
- Bake for 40 minutes until the crust is golden and the pears are tender.
- Allow to cool.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Speaking of pears…. You might also like these pear recipes:
Maple Roasted Bosc Pears with Pumpkin Granola & Walnuts
Poached Pears with Hot Caramel Cinnamon Sauce
CIAO!
Pears never seem to get their due, but boy did you celebrate them in this buttery crostata! Every day should call for one of these. I’m writing this at that time of day when I need a bite of something sweet with a cup of coffee. How I wish I could pull a slice right off the screen!
They really don’t….poor pears! 🙂 I could go for a slice right about now, too! Thank you, Cathy!!
Sounds like a great morning you had! Love your writing! This crostata looks gorgeous!
Thank you, Mira!! Have a lovely day with that sweetie pie of yours!! 🙂
Girlfriend, you totally make me want to lace up some shoes and go for a run with Linus and Lucy. I actually clicked on the link, listened to it 3 times and downloaded it from iTunes. It reminded me of back when I had time to play the piano this one was one of my favorites to play. It just makes ya happy, right? And speaking of happy, you can color me happy with this beautiful rustic pear crostata! Pinned!
Sometimes there is nothing better than Guaraldi to set the stage… Wish I could play his music on the piano! Oh my! Thanks, my friend! 🙂
That sounds like a very good day. Like, that’s a vacation day for me, being able to get up anytime after 6 and be leisurely and then have a great workout followed by a great baking session. And boy, does this look amazing!
It was a lovely morning, for sure…. Thanks, Mir!
It sounds like you had such a lovely morning. I am so terrible at making crusts. You make it look so easy!
I used to be too! You can do it, my friend!! 🙂
This is lovely an dI always enjoy reading your posts Annie. Now I think the apple tart I just made is lonely. Pears! Yes, I love them and agree they are such they don’t make the dessert too wet. Have a question for you, too. What’s the difference between a galette and a crostata? Country of origin? Me needs to know!
You would be correct – same free-form tart – different country of origin…Galette—>France, Crostata—>Italy. Both equally delicious!! Thanks for your sweet words, my friend!
OK, I’ve never run for more than 10 minutes in my life, but I did do 16 miles of cycling in class this morning. Can I have a piece of that crostata? If it’s easier, you can just send me the whole thing. I am drooling over here!!! Beautiful, Annie!
16 miles of cycling?! Are you kidding me? I think the most I’ve ever done is 8! You rock! Oh – I’d love to send this to you… Thank you, my friend! 🙂
What a beautiful crostata, Annie – I love how rustic and simple it is. And what a great way to start the morning – a peaceful run. I’m not a runner but I take a long walk with the dog every morning and it’s what keeps me sane I think. Also, love that you have a dough recipe that you’ve been using for 20 years!
Thank you so much, Geraldine! Gosh, I am huge fan of crostatas, mainly for its simplicity – but also because it bakes up so gosh darn deliciously! The house smells divine! I love that you walk with your dog, every morning! It’s the best, isn’t it?! Have a great day, my friend!
Did I tell you I love how you write? I do. It’s poetic yet unpretentious all at the same time. It makes me happy and that’s all I need in my blogs 😉 that and gorgeously delicious food! Lord almighty this looks fantastic! I make a mean apple crostata myself and I think it’s the perfect dessert…. although I never thought to try it with pears. How wildly interesting!!!! And you run?!? Omg you are perfect 🙂
Birds of a feather… When happiness results, that’s all I need! You are too sweet, milady! Thank you for your kind words…and this coming from a spectacular communicator! Have a beautiful day, my friend! xo
Doesn’t every day call for a pear crostada? 🙂 This looks so fantastic – I’m dying for a slice!
You are right on, my friend! I like the way you think!! 🙂
This looks incredible! I love the brown sugar with those spices and the crust 🙂
Why thank you, my friend! 🙂
If inspiration like this comes from a good morning Run, I need to go NOW! Lip-smacking, mouthwatering… all those things! I say Yaaaas!! Love this rustic pear crostata my dear!
Heheheee – I know – you never know when it will strike! I think it’s time I go for another run! 😉 Thank you, my dear! So happy you like it! 🙂
Well I need to rip a page from your morning book, because while yours sounded lovely, peaceful and full of fabulous food, mine was the exact opposite! Womp womp. Anyways, thankfully I have you to live vicariously through AND you provide delicious, drool-worthy, sinfully good sweet eats! This Rustic Pear Crostata is everything I need in my life!! I absolutely adore that you used pears in here, Annie! This crostata has me like whoa! And that crust looks amazing! Can’t wait to give this a try! Pinned of course! Cheers, friend!
What? Exact opposite? With all that fabulous food you’ve got going on over there?! That is hard to believe, my friend! Thank you for your sweetness! So happy you like the crostata as much as I do! Cheers!
Annie, your mornings sound quite peaceful and good, unlike mine. And what a beautiful looking rustic pear crostata. Love how beautifully you have baked this with pear.
Oh no… I remember when my mornings weren’t really my own… I promise, with time, comes peace… Thanks for your kind words, my friend! 🙂
There is nothing like a delicious fruit crostata Annie! And this one looks gorgeous Annie! I love the pears instead of the usual fall apples. I haven’t made one yet this season, so I’ll need to get on it!
It’s almost scary how good they are. I tend to like food and presentation that’s more on the rustic ‘perfectly imperfect’ side of things, so crostate are right up my alley!! Thanks for stopping by, my friend! And for sharing! 🙂
I didn’t get up at my normal time today either, my body and mind said “no way”! Sounds like an inspiring run at a beautiful location. I’m loving the rustic feel of this crostata. Pears were a great choice! Lovely and tasty! ? Take care.
Hey – sometimes we have those days and we must respect them! 🙂 Glad you like the pears…they’re perfectly sweet without being clawingly so. Thanks, friend!
I love it went inspiration comes in freely 🙂 I used to get “inspired” while running on the treadmill, silly me I stopped going on the treadmill … love this imperfect perfect little bite of heaven. Thanks!
Oh yes – some of my best thinking gets done on the trail! Thanks for stopping by with a kind word, my friend! 🙂
Sounds like you had a lovely start to your day! I would absolutely love to be able to exercise in the morning, but unfortunately I don’t get to so it’s evenings for me 🙂 Plus, it was nice that you got to sleep in a bit – always a good thing…hehehe. Imperfectly perfect – LOVE it! And you know what else I love? This crostata! Butter? Yes, please. That’s my middle name 😀 #notreally I really have to work on my doughs and this looks like a great place to start. Pinning this one and looking forward to trying soon. It’s gorgeous! Hope your week is going lovely! xoxo
Hey – wherever, whenever we can fit in exercise…it’s all good! So, butter. Yes. And I’d say your name has a very nice ring to it….Dawn Butter – that’s beautiful! 🙂 Hope you try it, my friend! Have a lovely day!! xoxo
What a gorgeous, delectable, Fall dessert you made! The rustic crostate are my favorites! You said it beautifully, they are imperfectly perfect. And I agree on the use of pears, they bake better than apples. I would definitely have a slice of this for breakfast! Have a great rest of your week, my friend!
Thank you, Nicoletta! Hubby and I enjoyed it for breakfast! 🙂 We have a piece left over that we’re saving for our son who’s visiting tomorrow. He has no idea the strength it’s taking us to keep our hands off! hahhaah! Thank you, my friend!
Sounds like your morning runs are so peaceful and enjoyable! What a great way to start your day. And this crostata looks amazing, Annie! I’ve never made this before, so I’m loving the peaches in here. What a gorgeous dish! Pinned and can’t wait to try!
Love when I can start my day that way… I hope you give this crostata a try! I think you’ll love it! Thanks, friend! 🙂