Chocolate-Hazelnut (Gianduja) Crostata

Get all the richness of chocolate pie with a far-easier crostata (sort of like an open-faced pie).

Makes
10 servings
Cook Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Active time plus cooling
45 minutes active
Rating
5

The chewy, rich filling for this dessert was inspired by gianduja, a chocolate-hazelnut paste created in Turin, Italy. The crust, made with whole-wheat flour, is simply pressed into the bottom of springform pan; its nuttiness pairs perfectly with the intense filling. If you like, dust the baked crostata with powdered sugar before serving, or top wedges with unsweetened whipped cream or crème fraîche. The crostata is best served the same day, but leftovers can be covered in plastic wrap refrigerated overnight; bring to room temperature before serving.

Tip

Don’t underprocess the hazelnut and sugar mixture. Grinding it until fine and paste-like is key to the filling’s thick, decadent texture.

Ingredients

163
grams (1¼ cups) hazelnuts
65
grams (½ cup) all-purpose flour
35
grams (¼ cup) whole-wheat flour
214
grams (1 cup) white sugar, divided
¼
teaspoon baking powder
Table salt
85
grams (6 tablespoons) cold salted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
1
large egg yolk plus 3 large egg whites
2 ½
teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
4
ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1
teaspoon instant espresso powder

Step 1

Heat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the lowest position. Mist a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.

Spread the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, then toast until deep golden brown, about 10 minutes. Enclose the nuts in a kitchen towel and rub vigorously to remove the skins. Set aside.

Step 2

In a food processor, combine both flours, 53 grams (¼ cup) of the sugar, the baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt. Process until combined, about 5 seconds.

Scatter the butter over the mixture and pulse until it resembles coarse sand, 10 to 12 pulses. Add the egg yolk and ½ teaspoon of the vanilla extract, then process until evenly moistened and clumping together, 20 to 30 seconds.

Step 3

Transfer the dough to the prepared pan; do not wash the food processor. Press into an even layer and prick with a fork about every ½ inch. Bake until golden in the center and slightly darker at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate on 50 percent power, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth and melted. Set aside.

Step 4

In the food processor, pulse the hazelnuts until roughly chopped, about 8 pulses; measure out ¼ cup and set aside. Add the remaining 161 grams (¾ cup) sugar and process until it resembles wet sand and sticks to the corners of the workbowl, about 2 minutes.

Scrape the bowl. Add the egg whites, the remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, the espresso powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Process until smooth, about 10 seconds. Add the chocolate and process until incorporated, another 10 seconds, scraping the sides as needed.

Step 5

Spread the hazelnut-chocolate mixture in an even layer on the crust, then sprinkle the reserved chopped nuts around the perimeter. Bake until slightly puffed and the edges begin to crack, 20 to 25 minutes.