Grandma's Tart

Grandma’s Tart is a classic and comforting dessert, very popular in Italy. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 300 g of type 00 flour
• 150 g of sugar
• 150 g of cold butter, cubed
• 1 whole egg and 1 yolk
• 1 pinch of salt
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• Jam (apricot, strawberry, or your choice) or custard, for filling

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
2. Add the cold cubed butter and work with the tips of your fingers to obtain a sandy mixture.
3. Add the whole egg, the yolk, and the grated lemon zest, then knead quickly until a homogeneous dough is formed.
4. Wrap the shortcrust pastry in cling film and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
5. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.
6. Roll out two-thirds of the shortcrust pastry on a lightly floured surface and gently lay it into a buttered and floured tart mold, making sure it adheres well to the edges.
7. Prick the base with a fork, then spread a layer of jam or pour the custard.
8. With the remaining shortcrust pastry, create strips to lay on the surface of the tart, forming a classic lattice.
9. Bake for about 30-35 minutes until the shortcrust pastry is golden.
10. Let cool completely before unmolding and serving.

Curiosity

The tart is a very versatile dessert that lends itself to many variations, one of which is the so-called “Ricotta Tart”, typical of the central and southern Italy, where the shortcrust pastry base is filled with a mixture of sweetened ricotta, sometimes enriched with pieces of chocolate or candied fruits.