Crostatine alla Nutella, Nutella Tartlets. A crumbly, light, and buttery pastry with a luscious Nutella filling. I am sure kids and grown-ups alike will fall in love with their delicate texture and delightful flavor.
[First published on May 24, 2015, this post has been updated for pictures and recipe instructions]
These rich and decadent tartlets were my favorite snack as a kid, or of any Italian kid for that matter. A copycat recipe of a tartlet made by a famous brand that almost every Italian household had in their pantry. Recreate the amazing taste of these Nutella tartlets in the comfort of your home. Serve it as individual desserts for a fancy dinner or celebration.
Memories from my childhood
In case I could go back in time to my childhood, I would choose a day that involved a sunny day at the beach, merenda (snack) after a swim, and crostatine with Nutella. The impossible heat, the sticky sand on my feet, the salty taste on my lips. With my shriveled hands from being in the water too long, I grab the chocolate tartlet my mother is handing me. Wet hair dripping down my neck, and wind caressing my tanned body, I bite into the tart, crumbs falling, chocolate melting in the sun, my mother smiling. What a pleasure it was, what a blessed moment.
If moments were crumbs, I would put them in my pockets to help me track my way back home.
Italian Tartlets
Namely, Crostatine is the Italian word for tartlets or little tarts.
These are the ingredients you will need to make them at home:
- flour, all-purpose, or farina 00
- a pinch of salt
- unsalted butter, cold, cubed (better a European-style butter with a high-fat content)
- icing (powdered) sugar
- organic lemon, the zest
- eggs, only the yolks
- a few drops of water, in case the dough seems too dry
- Nutella, for the filling, a couple of tablespoon for each tartlet
Crostatine alla Nutella (Nutella Tartlets) and a crumbly dough
The characteristic of a tartlet, compared to a pie, is to have a delicate, crumbly texture, and this is achieved by using butter, eggs, and sugar. It is not a flaky dough like the one of a pie, and you can actually eat your tartlet without using a plate and fork, yes, a handheld affair.
Tips when rolling the dough
- Firstly, lightly flour a work surface. I use my trusted wood board, the same as when I make homemade pasta.
- Then, flour your rolling pin, as well.
- Next, turn your dough a quarter turn frequently, to achieve a round dough. Turning your dough frequently allows you to see if the dough is sticking at the bottom, and add more flour.
- Lastly, try to be consistent when rolling, using the same pressure on the middle and on the edges of the dough.
Tartlet Pans
I absolutely love my tartlet pans and use them often! They are 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter with removable bottom (Fat Daddio's). Before investing in these, I had smaller tartlet pans (no removable bottom), and I used to place two strips of parchment paper in a criss-cross pattern at the bottom of the tartlet pan to help me take out the tartlets (and avoid breaking them).
- Do you want more ideas to use your tartlet pans? Make these Crostatine with Ricotta, Yogurt, and Berries, or these Spelt flour Jam Tartlets.
Things to remember when making Crostatine alla Nutella (Nutella Tartlets):
- Let the dough come to room temperature (it will be easier to roll).
- Use a round cutter bigger than the circumference of the tartlet pan.
- Place the round disks of dough into each tartlet pans, gently pressing down and on the sides. Place the pans on a tray and let rest in the fridge for 10 minutes. Use the leftover dough to make the lattice top.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Warm-up the Nutella in the microwave or in a bain-marie until runny and smooth.
- Before adding the Nutella to the pastry, poke the bottoms with a fork.
- Cut strips of the leftover dough about ½ inch wide with a corrugated pasta cutter or pizza wheel; arrange them on top of the Nutella in a diamond shape.
If heaven had a flavor
Indeed, if heaven had a flavor it would taste like these tarts. Starting at the crust, so delicate and light it just melts in your mouth in a cloud of crumbs. Then the Nutella, sweet, profound, hugs your soul like there is no tomorrow, and together the duo makes you feel like you are really special!
Sometimes, the simple things in life give you the greatest pleasure.
Enjoy these Crostatine alla Nutella!
PrintCrostatine alla Nutella (Nutella Tartlets)
Crostatine alla Nutella, Nutella Tartlets. A crumbly, light, and buttery pastry with a luscious Nutella filling. I am sure kids and grown-ups alike will fall in love with their delicate texture and delightful flavor.
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 tartlets 1x
Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- a pinch of salt
- 125 g unsalted butter, cold, cubed
- 90 g icing (powdered) sugar
- the zest of 1 small organic lemon
- 2 egg yolks
- a few drops of water if the dough is too dry
- Nutella for the filling
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the sifted flour, a pinch of salt, and the cubed cold butter. Pulse until crumbly.
- Add the sifted icing sugar and pulse.
- Then, add the lemon zest and the egg yolks.
- Pulse until it starts to come together. Add drops of water if too dry. Do not overwork the pastry dough.
- Place the dough onto a work surface, gently knead it together to form a ball, then flatten it into a disk.
- Wrap it in plastic and set it to rest in the fridge for at least half an hour.
- In the meantime, butter 6 round tartlet pans with a removable bottom. If using regular tartlet pans, place two strips of parchment paper in a crisscross pattern (this will help you take the tartlets out of the pan).
- After the resting time, let the dough come to room temperature (it will be easier to roll). Place it on a lightly floured surface, then with a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a ½ cm thickness.
- Using a round cutter, bigger than the circumference of the tartlet pan, cut out 6 round shapes.
- Use the leftover dough to make the lattice top.
- Place the round disks of dough into each tartlet pans, gently pressing down and on the sides. Place the pans on a tray and in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Warm-up the Nutella in the microwave or in a bain-marie until runny and smooth.
- After 10 minutes, take the tartlet pans out of the fridge, poke the bottoms with a fork, and spread a couple of tablespoons of Nutella on the bottom of each.
- To make the lattice top, use a corrugated pasta cutter or a simple pizza wheel. Cut strips of dough of about ½ inch and make the criss-cross pattern (diamond shape) on top of the Nutella.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until light golden brown.
- Let the tarts cool on a rack before serving.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Italian desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
I love baking and kneading dough because it takes me to a happy place in my soul.
Gloria says
Well if it has Nutella in it, it has to be delicious. My kind of tart. Perfect to go with my afternoon latte.
★★★★★
Andrea Howe says
Oh gosh these are so cute and perfect for a special little treat for my kids, who TRULY LOVE nutella! Thanks for sharing such a charming recipe, I can't wait to try it!
Thanks! Oh I bet your kids will love them!
Chef Dennis says
Hmm yum! This crostatine alla nutella recipe is making me drool right now! My wife will surely love this, too!
★★★★★
Oh your wife will truly love them! And I bet you will too.
Amy Nash says
Everything is more fun in miniature! These little tartlets are to die for! My husband is a nutella fanatic and is already asking me to make them again!
★★★★★
Yes, agree, all individual desserts are charming. Great to hear!
Heidy says
Your recipe for crostatine alla nutella was amazing. I made it for the family the other day and everyone enjoyed the amazing flavors and how cute they were. We love mini desserts. Have a great weekend.
★★★★★
There is something about individual, mini desserts, right? Thank so much for trying it!
Helen says
I'm a huge fan of Nutella so this is the perfect pudding for me. This is going to be my treat for tomorrow. I'm very excited to try it.
★★★★★
Excited for you to try! They are amazing, you will love them! Thank you!
amycaseycooks says
Oh these little beauties will be perfect for an afternoon snack with a hot cup of tea. I always have a jar of Nutella on hand :0
★★★★★
Natalie says
Gosh, these little beauties are so tempting. SO delicious. I must save this recipe and give it a try. I bet my family would love this.
★★★★★
Jenny says
These tartlets look so delicious and lovely! I adore Nutella-everything and I am making these asap. My family will go nuts over them!
★★★★★
Tristin says
Nutella is so good, my kids could eat it daily! I am always looking for new ways to use it. These tartlets are adorable and look so tasty.
★★★★★
Jamie says
As a huge fan of nutella, I'm so thrilled that I can make tarts with it! It's great for when I'm craving chocolate!
★★★★★