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Lattice-topped sour cherry crostata on a linen-covered wooden board, one slice cut to show the dark red filling

Crostata di Visciole: Sour Cherry Tart with Lattice Top

A lattice-topped Roman tart of lemony pasta frolla and sour cherry preserves, baked at 180 C / 350 F for 40 minutes.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian (Roman)
Calories: 396

Ingredients
  

Pasta frolla
  • 300 g all-purpose flour
  • 100 g granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest from 1 lemon
  • 150 g unsalted butter cold, cubed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
Filling and finish
  • 450 g sour cherry preserves thick, visciole or Morello
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 egg yolk for the wash
  • 1 tbsp whole milk for the wash
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar optional, for dusting

Method
 

  1. Whisk the flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl. Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips for 3 to 4 minutes, until the mixture looks like damp sand.
  2. Add the whole egg and 1 yolk and press until the dough just holds together. Don't knead it, since overworking makes the crust tough. Shape into a disk, cut off one-third, wrap both pieces, and chill for 60 minutes.
  3. Heat the oven to 180 C / 350 F with a rack in the lower third. Roll the larger piece between two sheets of parchment to 4 mm thick. Lay it in a 24 cm / 9.5-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom, press into the corners, trim the overhang flush, and prick the base with a fork.
  4. Stir the lemon juice into the preserves. If the jam pours off the spoon in a ribbon, simmer it in a 2-quart / 1.9 L saucepan for 5 minutes and let it cool while you roll the lattice. Spread the jam in an even layer about 8 mm deep.
  5. Roll the smaller piece with the trimmings to 4 mm and cut 8 to 10 strips about 1.5 cm wide. Lay half across the jam, then lay the rest at an angle to form a diamond lattice. Press the ends into the rim, trim, and patch any tears. Whisk the remaining yolk with the milk and brush it over the lattice and rim.
  6. Bake for 40 minutes, until the pastry is deep golden and the jam bubbles slowly in the gaps. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 60 minutes, then unmold, dust with powdered sugar if you like, and slice.

Notes

  • Make the dough up to 2 days ahead and keep it wrapped in the fridge.
  • Use a tart pan with a removable bottom so unmolding is clean.
  • Press dough into the pan corners so the shell has even thickness.
  • Patch any torn lattice strips with a fingertip of dough before baking.