Crostata di Marmellata
This Crostata di Marmellata with olive oil crust is a favorite in my home.
With a tender, lemon-scented crust with smooth apricot jam filling, this dairy-free dessert is guaranteed to please!! Simple and quick to make, you’ll be thrilled with the results!
I discovered this Italian Crostata di Marmellata recipe years ago on an Italian site L’emporio 21 and, because it is so good, it has been a regular on our table. Crostata di Marmellata translates to jam crostata or Italian jam tart.
Much loved by Italians but also around the world, crostata is a popular tart made with shortcrust pastry known as pasta frolla and a sweet filling like jam, Nutella, or fruit.
This is Italian baking at its best. Much like my Crostoli or Biscotti, this Crostata di Marmellata recipe uses simple ingredients to produce something delicious and beautiful.
The key to a good Italian crostata is all in the crust. It must be soft but sturdy, sweet but not too sweet, and most of all flavorsome. And because we like easy as well, this one ticks all the boxes!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Versatile – While apricot jam is quite traditional, any jam or sweet filling can be used. By using a store-bought jam, it means that this Crostata di Marmellata can be made year-round no matter what the season.
- Flavor – Typically Italian, the lemon zest in the dough adds a wonderful flavor that combines well with any fruity filling.
- Dairy Free – Italian shortcrust pastry is usually made with butter just like in my Strawberry Crostata. However, this pasta frolla with olive oil is an excellent variation that is naturally dairy-free but still tender and tasty.
- Easy – I can’t stress how easy this recipe is. Because you’re not waiting for the butter to soften or pulling out the heavy food processor to blend the cold butter into the flour, all you do is mix the ingredients together and you have authentic crostata dough.
- Appealing – The lattice top with jam peaking through looks great! A dusting of powdered sugar adds the final perfect touch!
For complete ingredient quantities and full instructions, please scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Ingredients
With a few simple ingredients, you can make this authentic Crostata di Marmellata recipe. Olive oil is the surprise ingredient and makes this Italian pastry dough extra easy!
- All-Purpose Flour – just regular plain all-purpose flour for this recipe. Not self-rising flour because baking powder is included.
- Granulated sugar – regular white granulated sugar.
- Lemon zest – Be sure to grate just the fragrant, yellow skin because the white pith is bitter.
- Baking Powder – This will give the crust a little rise and lightness.
- Grappa – Not just for flavor, alcohol creates a better texture in the crostata crust.
- Olive oil – While I prefer regular olive oil you can use extra virgin or light flavored olive oil. If you choose extra virgin olive oil, look for one that is rather mild so that the flavor doesn’t overpower.
- Apricot jam – Choose one that has some tang and isn’t too sweet.
Step by step instructions
A crostata is one of the most simple tarts to make and olive oil pastry makes this one even easier. Before you begin, preheat oven to 350ºF/180ºC and butter a 10-inch (25cm) tart pan with a removable base.
- Whisk together dry ingredients then stir in wet ingredients to form a dough.
- Roll the dough out between two sheets of nonstick baking paper.
- Line the prepared pan with pastry.
- Spread apricot jam over the pastry base.
- Arrange lattice strips over the jam in a crisscross pattern.
- Sprinkle with almonds and bake until golden brown.
Hint: This is a perfect olive oil pie crust for all your pies and tarts. Use extra virgin olive oil for savory recipes. Lighter flavored olive oil is perfect for sweet recipes. Use this dairy-free pie crust for a variety of recipes.
Substitutions
- Olive Oil – swap olive oil for peanut oil or avocado oil. You’ll still get lots of nutrients from both of these oils.
- Lemon Zest – Use orange zest instead.
- Grappa – Swap the grappa for vodka, brandy, or white rum.
Variations
- Sweetly Spiced – Instead add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or another favorite spice
- Alcohol-Free – Use milk, chilled water, or soda water instead of Grappa to make it alcohol-free.
- Jam – Use your favorite flavor of jam or Nutella for the filling
- Nuts – Sprinkle with nuts of your choice.
Equipment
You’ll need the usual baking equipment of bowls, measuring cups, and spoons plus a rolling pin. Importantly you’ll need the correct tart pan. For this crostata alla marmellata, 10-inch (25cm) tart pan with a removable base is handy. It can also be made in a pie pan of a similar size.
Storage
Store this tart in an airtight container or on a plate wrapped well with plastic. If storing for longer than one day, keep refrigerated for optimum freshness.
To freeze, bake the tart as per recipe but don’t dust with powdered sugar. Wrap well with several layers of plastic wrap, place in a large plastic bag or airtight container, and freeze for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature without unwrapping. Crostata di Marmellata can be refreshed in a 350ºF/180ºC oven for 10-15 minutes if desired. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips for Success
This crostata di marmellata with an olive oil crust is one of the easiest recipes and almost no fail. However, there are a few tips to ensure absolute success.
- Use a light hand – Don’t overwork the dough because this will develop the gluten which makes pastry tough.
- Rolling the dough – The dough can be a little sticky so use two sheets of nonstick parchment paper for rolling out the dough. Press the dough to flatten slightly and dust it with a little bit of flour to prevent it from sticking.
- Use a high-quality jam – Homemade jam is ideal but any good jam that isn’t too sweet is best.
- To Bake Ahead – Prepare this recipe up to the point of baking, wrap it well with plastic, and refrigerate overnight. Continue with baking as per the recipe the next day.
FAQ
Crostata is an Italian open pie or tart, similar to a French galette. In Italy, it is most commonly made in a pie or tart pan however it can also be free-formed.
Crostata is made with an Italian shortcrust pastry or pasta frolla. The classic Italian pasta frolla dough is usually made with unsalted butter, eggs, or egg yolks, sugar, and flour. For this simplified version, the butter has been replaced with olive oil which is full of nutritional benefits.
The filling for crostata is sweet and often consists of jam, Nutella, or fruit. If you can purchase Italian jam, all the better!
It’s hard to exactly trace the history of crostata. However, cookbooks published in the late 15th century show evidence of the modern crostata being made in Italy.
The name comes from the Latin word crustāta meaning crust. The 9th of September is National Crostata Day in Italy which just goes to show how important it is to the country and its cuisine.
Serving suggestions
Serve Crostata di Marmellata with an espresso after a meal or with a spoonful of mascarpone cream for dessert. Or why not follow the Italian way and have a slice for breakfast with your cappuccino or Italian hot chocolate?
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Crostata di Marmellata Recipe
Equipment
- 10 inch/25cm tart pan or a pie pan of similar size
Ingredients
Easy Olive Oil Crust
- 3¼ cups (405 grams) all purpose plain flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ cup (150 grams) superfine (castor) sugar
- pinch salt
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ cup (120mls) olive oil
- 3 tablespoons grappa see notes for options
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- finely grated zest of one lemon
Filling and Topping
- ¾ cup apricot jam
- ¼ cup slivered/sliced almonds
- powdered sugar to finish
Instructions
- In a bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
- Make a indent in the centre, pour in the beaten eggs, oil, grappa, vanilla extract and the lemon rind.
- With a fork or your fingers begin to mix the wet ingredient taking in some of the dry.
- Continue until all the flour is incorporated and knead lightly and briefly but thoroughly.
- If you have time, wrap the dough in plastic and let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. If not, use it right away. I generally use it straightaway without chilling.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC.
- If you have chilled the dough, you may notice that some of the oil has oozed out. This is normal and perfectly fine.
- Oil (to keep this dairy free) or grease with butter a 10 inch /25cm pie/flan pan with a removable base.
- Divide the dough in two with one being larger.
- Place the larger piece of dough onto a sheet of baking paper that has been sprinkled with flour. Dust a little more flour on top of the dough and cover with another sheet of baking paper. The baking paper will make rolling and transferring the dough to the flan pan much easier.
- Roll into a circle that will fit the prepared pan.
- Roll the dough and the top sheet of baking paper around the rolling pin. As you roll, remove the bottom sheet of baking paper. Unroll into the pan, remove the baking paper and carefully ease the dough into the edges. Trim the edges.
- Spread apricot jam evenly into the pastry base.
- Add the trimmed dough to the reserved dough and roll out, as above, to 10in/25cm in length and about ¼in/6mm thickness.
- Cut long strips and lay the strip in a criss cross fashion over the filled tart – cutting off any surplus. Scatter slivered/sliced almonds over the apricot tart.
- Bake for about 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Check midway. If the crostata is browning too much, loosely cover with foil.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Once cool sprinkle with powdered sugar, slice and serve.
Notes
- Handle the pastry as little as possible.
- Roll the dough between two sheets of non stick parchment paper.
- Use good quality jam.
- Use orange zest instead of lemon zest
- Instead of lemon zest, add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or spice of your choice
- Swap the grappa for vodka, brandy, white rum, milk or soda water.
- Use different jam or Nutella to fill.
Nutritional Estimate Per Serving
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.
This updated recipe was first published on June 14, 2014.
My husband is from Italy and loved this!
Jan, I’m thrilled to hear that your Italian husband loved this. That’s a sure tick of approval! Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
I am very excited to try this recipe as I love olive oil cakes, and it sounds to be like it will be perfect. I am going to make it for a friend who loves marron glace and am planning to use Chestnut Spread as the filling instead of apricot jam. What do you think?
Marianne, that sounds perfect!
The crostata with chestnut puree turned out wonderfully. Next I’m going to try it with pistachio cream. Thank you for a great, easy and fun recipe. Plus it looked stunning.
Marianne, I’m thrilled that the chestnut puree turned out well. Yum, pistachio cream will be delicious!
Absolutely delicious and easy recipe to follow. I have made this for my husband and his extended family, and for our town festival (we live in Italy, and my inlaws are italian). Everybody is obsessed, especially with the crust! I sometimes make it with an apple pie filling also. So glad I found this recipe!
Emily, thank you for your lovely review! It certainly is a very big tick of approval if everyone in your Italian town (especially your inlaws) loved it. My heart is bursting because this recipe is such a favorite of mine and I’m very happy that you all loved it. Auguri!