Vegan tart
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 30 min
- Cook time: 40 min
- Serving: 6
- Cost: Average
- Note + the shortcrust dough's resting time in the fridge (1 h)
PRESENTATION
If you're into Italian desserts, then the vegan crostata is, like, a must-try. Seriously good. This plant-based twist captures everything you love about the classic Italian treat, minus the dairy and eggs. The crust—made with whole wheat and chestnut flour—plus a bit of cocoa, offers a rich color and a touch of flavor. It's really really good. Using vegetable butter and oat milk, the pastry comes out delicate yet firm. And it's got just the right crumbly bite that feels so homey.
Not too sweet, you know? This crust has an earthy chestnut flavor that matches perfectly with the fragrant pear filling. Cinnamon and lemon zest? They brighten it up, while a spoonful of jam kicks up the sweet level. Some folks in Italy swap pears for plums or apricots, but the moist homemade feel is consistent everywhere—pretty much.
Across Italy, vegan tart recipes like this are really taking off. And here's the thing, they deliver all the tender comfort of traditional desserts, just plant-based. The crostata ends with a dusting of powdered sugar. And if you're feeling extra, add a dollop of whipped plant-based cream. Can't go wrong.
What makes this vegan pie special? It is super versatile. Serve it at brunch, take it to a potluck, or enjoy a slice with coffee in the afternoon. It's all about balance, like Italian desserts should be—nothing heavy, just real flavors and a light, crumbly texture. For sure.
Anyone looking for an easy vegan dessert that's special, but not overly fancy, will totally get the crostata vibes here. As the jam melts during baking, it mingles with the fruit, creating a gooey, golden finish. Wherever you enjoy it, this vegan crostata brings that cozy, inviting spirit Italian baking is famous for. It's really, truly a tasty experience.
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INGREDIENTS
- For the pastry (for an 8-inch pan)
- Type 1 flour 1.67 cups (200 g) - Approximately 1 2/3 cups (based on 120 g per cup).
- Chestnut flour ½ cup (50 g)
- Vegan butter 7 tbsp (100 g)
- Sugar 6 ½ tbsp (80 g)
- Oat beverage 10 tsp (50 g)
- Baking powder 1 tsp (4 g)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tbsp (5 g)
- Fine salt 1 pinch
- For the filling
- Abate Fetel pears 1.25 lbs (570 g) - to be cleaned
- Apricot jam ½ cup (130 g)
- Cinnamon powder 1 ¼ tsp (3 g)
- Lemon peel 1
- To garnish
- Powdered sugar to taste
- Vegetable cream ½ cup (100 g) - (to be whipped)
How to prepare Vegan tart
To prepare the vegan tart, start with the dough for the vegan shortcrust pastry: in a bowl combine the vegan butter with the sugar 1 and work with a rubber spatula to blend them 2. When you have a creamy mixture, add the Type 1 flour and the chestnut flour 3.
Continue with the cocoa and the baking powder 4, then mix briefly and pour in the oat milk 5. Knead by hand until you get a dough ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about one hour 6.
Meanwhile peel and core the pears; you should obtain about 1 lb of flesh, to be cut into cubes of about 3/8 inch 7. Transfer the pears to a bowl and flavor with grated lemon zest 8 and cinnamon 9.
Mix 10 and set aside. After the resting time, take the pastry back and divide the dough ball into 2 parts, one larger than the other: roll out both portions of dough with a rolling pin using a pinch of flour 11. Transfer the larger base into an 8-inch pan, then pour the jam inside and level it well 12.
Add the pear cubes 13 and cover with the second layer of shortcrust pastry 14. Seal the edges well by pressing with your fingers 15.
Make 4 slits on the surface 16 and bake in a conventional oven preheated to 356°F for about 40 minutes, placing the pan on the lowest rack. Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool completely, then dust with powdered sugar 17. Your vegan tart is ready to be served with a dollop of whipped vegan cream, if desired 18!