Fruit desserts are some of my favorites, especially when fruit is in peak season.  They are so delicious and the combination of the almonds and cherries are a winning combination,  A helping of ice-cream is always a welcome addition to this dessert.  I am not sure if you can see in the picture but I used a Williams and Sonoma cherry cut-out to garnish the top of the galette.  They came in a set of 4, including a strawberry, peach and pineapple and I thought they were too cute to pass up!

Serves 8

for crust:

  • 1 1/4 cup of flour (I love Bob’s Red Mill)
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, chilled and diced
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons vodka, cold
  • 2 -4 tablespoons iced water

for filling:

  • 3 cups cherries, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 2  teaspoons almond extract
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  •  slivered  for garnish, optional
  • confectioners sugar sprinkling, optional garnish
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons of cream

Directions:  In a food processor, pulse almonds until finely ground.  Add flour, sugar and salt and pulse to combine.  Distribute diced butter and continue pulsing until mixture resembles a very rough cornmeal.  With the motor running, add vodka and water one tablespoon at a time just until dough begins to gather into a ball and collects in bowl.  Collect dough and shape into a disk.  Refrigerate and wrap in plastic wrap and allow to rest for at least an hour or several hours until chilled.

Preheat oven to 400.  In a medium bowl, place pitted cherries along with sugar, almond extract  and cornstarch together and gently toss to combine.  Lightly flour a large piece of parchment paper and roll out dough in a 14 inch circle.  Place fruit mixture in the middle leaving a 1 1/2 to 2 inch border around the edge.  Fold edges toward center.  Transfer galette with parchment to a rimmed baking sheet. Whisk egg yolk with cream and brush edges of pastry with mixture.  I recommend refrigerating the crostata at this point for about 10 minutes, or placing in your freezer for about 5 minutes.  This will help it retain its integrity in the baking process, especially if it is warm outside.  Bake for 35-45 minutes until crust is golden and cherries are releasing their juices.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Garnish with slivered almonds and lightly dust with confectioners sugar if using.   Slice in wedges and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice-cream if desired.  Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia is also a great option! Enjoy!