This rustic dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious. The incredibly easy and versatile pastry dough comes together in a food processor in no time.
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This tart is free-form, so the pastry can be rolled into either a round or a rectangle and folded over your filling. Somehow that seems easier to me than laying it in a pie plate and doing the fancy little edge. This is fold and bake. Its beauty is in the rustic look to the dessert.
WHAT IS A GALETTE?
A galette is similar to crostata. It is a rustic, free form French dessert that’s pastry dough folded over a filling. It’s deceptively easy.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST RUSTIC APPLE GALETTE
- Make sure your pie dough isn’t too wet. It should roll out easily, have structure, and hold its shape. It’s okay if its a little bit crumbly. It will roll out just fine.
- Don’t roll the dough too thin or too thick. It should be about ⅛-inch thick for the perfect crust.
- Don’t make your filling too wet either. If you are using something like peaches, without natural pectin, you will want to add cornstarch or dust the inside bottom of the crust with plain breadcrumbs to thicken and absorb the moisture so the crust doesn’t get soggy.
- Don’t fill it too much. This isn’t like a pie, with sides that will hold the extra in place. A galette should be short, with just enough filling to make it a layer. Any more than that will result in a soggy bottom.
WHY SHOULD I USE VODKA IN MY CRUST?
The vodka, especially when ice cold, helps make your crust flaky. Why? Well, the vodka incorporates the butter and flour, without developing the gluten in the flour. Too much gluten means a tough crust. But gluten can’t develop with alcohol.
You can use any alcohol in your favorite crust recipe. Simple swap half of the liquid used for alcohol.
It doesn’t have to be vodka, either. Use apple brandy in a crust for apple pie. Limoncello in a crust for lemon meringue pie, etc.
TOOLS USED IN MAKING THIS RUSTIC APPLE GALETTE
- Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup – use this in the microwave and put it in the dishwasher.
- Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons-6 Piece – I love the long, rectangle design. They even fit into small spice jars.
- Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Food Processor – this inexpensive tool makes food prep so much easier!
- Stainless Steel Rolling Pin and Silicone Baking Pastry Mat Set – A stainless steel rolling pin, so the dough sticks less AND it even has rings that slip onto the ends of the rolling pin so you can accurately roll out the perfect thickness of the dough. Genius!
- AirBake Nonstick 2 Pack Cookie Sheet Set – These baking sheets are insulated, helping the bottom of your baked goods get perfectly browned, but not too brown.
- AmazonBasics Silicone Baking Mat Sheet, Set of 2 – Why pay for the fancy French name? These are amazing…and inexpensive.
Looking for more dessert recipes? Please give these delicious recipes a try:
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RUSTIC APPLE GALETTE
- Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
Description
A rustic dessert that is easier than it looks and very delicious. Apples, honey, and apple butter in a flaky, free form crust that will impress everyone at your holiday table.
Ingredients
PASTRY
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick plus 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, frozen and grated using a box grater.
3 tablespoons ice-cold vodka
2 tablespoons ice water
TOPPING
4 Granny Smith apples
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey, preferably wildflower
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup apple butter
Instructions
In a food processor, combine the flour with the sugar, salt and butter and process for about 5 seconds. Sprinkle the ice water over the flour mixture and process until the pastry just begins to come together, about 10 seconds; you should still be able to see small pieces of butter in it. Transfer the pastry to a work surface, gather it together and pat into a disk. Wrap the pastry in plastic or wax paper and refrigerate until chilled. (You can also roll out the pastry and use it right away.)
Peel, halve and core the apples and slice them crosswise 1/4 inch thick. Set aside the larger center slices and coarsely chop the end slices and any broken ones; about half of the slices should be chopped. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.
Preheat the oven to 400°. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the pastry to a 12-by-14-inch rectangle and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet. Spread the chopped apples over the pastry to within 1 inch of the edge. Drizzle the honey over the chopped apples. Decoratively arrange the apple slices on top in concentric circles or in slightly overlapping rows. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the apples and dot with the pieces of butter and the apple butter. Fold the pastry edge up and over the apples to create a 1-inch border.
Bake the galette for about 1 hour, until the pastry is nicely browned and crisp and all of the apples are tender. Transfer the pan to a rack and let the galette cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Make Ahead: The buttery pastry can be refrigerated overnight. Roll out when ready to bake.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: rustic dessert recipe, galette recipes, Thanksgiving recipes, dessert recipes, apple recipes, Autumn recipes
