Strawberry and Blood Orange Crostata

Crostata is really a simple Italian tart with jam. I created a light and simple pastry for the crostata using only 4 basic ingredients; butter, flour, cream cheese and salt.

I used one of my holiday cookie recipe to make this easy pastry dough for the crostata while experimenting with different flavored jams.

I chose strawberry preserves for the kids and blood orange marmalade with walnuts for my husband, then baked them for about 15 minutes. After they cooled down, I sprinkled with powdered sugar on top. Both turned out terrific!

Well, this is one of those test recipes that exceeded my expectations! You can pretty much use any flavored jam you would like for this recipe, just try your own variations and favorite jams to make a delicious Italian tart for the holidays! Enjoy!

Strawberry and Blood Orange Crostata

1 cup of unsalted butter, (2 sticks)
1 (8oz) package of cream cheese, softened
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup blood orange marmalade
1/2 cup strawberry preserves
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
some powdered sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, cream cheese and salt until smooth. Using a fork, work in flour until blended, then use your hands until form a smooth dough. On wax paper, flatten the pastry ball with a rolling pin. Wrap and chill for up to two hours or overnight.

On a cutting board, cut dough in half. Scatter some flour on the board and rolling pin. Roll until flattened to about 1/4″ thickness.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Fill center with jam. Leave about a one inch boarder around the edges. Fold outer edges inwards towards jam, pinching dough down.

Grease 2 cookie sheets, or line them with parchment paper.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until golden.
Remove from oven, allow to cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar on top.
Cut into slices.