Valentine’s Day Tart (Crostata di San Valentino)
Category: Desserts
Servings: 9
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour (00) | 470g |
| Hazelnut flour | 55g |
| Butter (cold) | 210g |
| Powdered sugar | 170g |
| Eggs | 100g |
| Lemon zest | ½ |
| Salt | 5g |
| Strawberry jam | 500g |
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Shortcrust Pastry:
Start by making the pastry dough, known as frolla. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the all-purpose flour and cold butter. Turn the mixer on low speed and mix for about two minutes until the butter is well incorporated into the flour.
2. Add Eggs and Seasoning:
Add the eggs (at room temperature) and salt to the flour mixture. Continue mixing for another two minutes to bring everything together into a crumbly dough.
3. Form the Dough:
Transfer the dough to a clean surface and briefly knead it to form a smooth ball. Handle the dough gently to avoid activating the gluten, which could make the pastry tough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Roll Out the Dough:
Once the dough has rested, lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about ½ cm thickness.
5. Shape the Tart Shell:
Use a square tart pan (21×21 cm) to cut the dough into the desired shape. Press the dough gently into the bottom of the tart pan, and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Make Decorative Strips:
With any leftover dough, cut strips about 5 cm wide. Arrange them on the edges of the tart shell to create a decorative border. Remove any excess dough.
7. Chill the Dough:
Place the tart shell in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the decorations.
8. Create Decorative Circles:
Roll out any leftover dough and cut it into circles. Refrigerate these circles for 5 minutes to ensure they hold their shape during baking.
9. Fill the Tart:
Once chilled, take the tart shell out of the refrigerator and spread a generous layer of strawberry jam evenly across the bottom.
10. Decorate the Tart:
Take the chilled dough circles and cut out small hearts from the center using heart-shaped cookie cutters (one 4 cm and one 3 cm). Place these heart-shaped dough pieces on top of the jam, alternating the two sizes to create a charming, romantic pattern.
11. Bake:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the tart in a static oven for approximately 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the jam is bubbling.
12. Finish and Serve:
Once baked, remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness and a festive look.
Cut the Valentine’s Day Tart into small squares and enjoy it with your loved one on this special occasion!
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
| Nutrient | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 400 kcal |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 22g |
| Carbohydrates | 53g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 30g |
This Valentine’s Day Tart is a perfect dessert to celebrate love, made with buttery shortcrust pastry and luscious strawberry jam. It’s a sweet gesture for your special someone, with a beautiful and tasty finish!
