What is Pastafrola?
While we may not know the exact origin of pastafrola, the consistency of it is similar to pastry dough, and can be used to make a wide variety of sweet tart desserts. Pasta frolla’s main ingredients are usually flour, sugar, and eggs. A traditional pastafrola also has a distinct criss-cross pattern on top of the filling.
You can make a large batch and freeze it raw, then take your pastafrola out to thaw once you’re ready to use it again. This is a great way to be able to save some for later so you don’t have to make it twice in a row. We love how versatile pastafrola can be, and today, we are sharing our favorite pasta frolla recipes. If you’ve never had pastafrola desserts before, prepare to be amazed!
1. Hazelnut Pasta Frolla Heart Cookies
These yummy cookies would rival any Valentine’s day treat. They look similar to sugar cookies, and once you decorate them with sprinkles they look so good! The best part is, you only need six simple ingredients to make the pastafrola cookie mix. Along with the Nutella spread to frost the cookies, you will need hazelnuts. These hazelnuts will then be finely ground and incorporated into the dough. A stand mixer will be your best friend when making these cookies, so if you don’t have one, ask to borrow one from a neighbor, friend, or a family member.
For the best results, you will have to refrigerate your cookie dough before cutting them out into hearts, and then quickly freeze them right before cooking them so that they will retain their shape. This recipe gives you the perfect excuse to spend quality time to teach your children and other family members about how to make these unique cookies.
Get the full recipe and directions from Cooking with Nonna
2. Italian Christmas Cookies
According to this recipe, it can double as a pie crust, so whatever you have leftover from a holiday pie can be turned into these lovely cookies. We are thrilled to share this one with you because it is just in time for the holidays.
For any leftover cookies, you can store them in an airtight container or plastic bag. These will keep well when refrigerated for up to a week. If you need to freeze them, these cookies may also be stored in a freezer and will keep for up to 2 months. You can flavor the cookie dough however you like. Some ideas include orange zest, lemon zest, or ground cinnamon. Any way you want to flavor the dough, we know this delicious treat will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
Get the full recipe and directions from An Italian in my Kitchen
3. Pasta Frolla Jam Cookies
Here’s yet another delicious cookie recipe. This looks similar to a thumbprint cookie and you can use whatever kind of jam you like. If you want, you can add a different kind of jam to each cookie so you will end up with a variety of flavored cookies. Popular jams include grape, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, and apricot. Depending on your tastes, you can simply use store-bought jam or make your own batch at home.
As you roll out the dough, you have complete freedom to choose the thickness that you want your cookies to be. One batch of this recipe can make up to 48 cookies depending on the thickness you choose. This dough becomes very soft and pliable once you start working with it, which means it is easy to execute these stunning cookies. The dusting of powdered sugar on top will make them taste that much sweeter when you serve these.
Get the full recipe and directions from A Family Feast
4. Jam Tart with Olive Oil Crust
This recipe is interesting because instead of butter that is typically used in pastafrola doughs, this one uses olive oil instead. If you are someone who loves to save precious time in the kitchen, you are in luck. This dough is extremely pliable and can be pressed into a pan without having to be rolled out beforehand. All you need is your hands to form the dough into a tart pan.
Any leftover dough can be used to make fun cut out shapes to put on top of your dessert before it’s baked. This particular recipe author cut out different sized stars but you can do other things like candy canes, Christmas trees, or even snowflakes depending on how you want it to look for the holidays. This recipe makes the perfect consistency since the tart crust will end up crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Get the full recipe and directions from The Hungry Bites
5. Crostata (No Butter Pasta Frolla Recipe)
This is yet another way to make a variation of pastafrola using simple ingredients, but with no butter. One ingredient this recipe calls for is safflower oil and there is no kneading required for this dough. The author, Maria, tells her readers to roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick for the best results. She also uses a tart pan with a removable bottom to make it easy to remove the dessert from the pan once you are ready to serve. We like how instead of a stand mixer, she uses a food processor to blend the crostata dough together.
Get the full recipe and directions from She Loves Biscotti
6. Chocolate Pastafrola
Chocolate lovers will drool over this dessert! If you decide to make it, it will pretty much end up like a hand pie since they are cut into squares before serving. This recipe uses a combination of all purpose flour and fine semolina flour to make the dough. Be sure to plan ahead for this recipe as you have to allow it to rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes to an hour before you actually form it into a pan and bake it.
If you want to make a homemade chocolate praline spread for this dessert, it is simple to do. All you will need is some sugar, lemon juice, hazelnuts, dark chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and cream.
Get the full recipe and directions from Akis Petretzikis
7. Pasta Frola Quince Tart
This recipe tastes equally as good as it looks. You will be using a dulce de membrillo for this tart. Membrillo is a dense jelly like paste that is made from the fruit of a quince tree. Once cooked, it almost tastes like a cross between an apple and a pear and the color takes on a coral hue. The recipe also calls for pineapple preserves and raspberry jam too but if you want the membrillo to really stand out, the pineapple and raspberry flavors can be left out altogether.
Get the full recipe and directions from The Spruce Eats
Now that you’ve learned about pastafrola, we encourage you to try making some of these yummy desserts. Who knows? Maybe one of these recipes will be such a hit that a new holiday tradition will come out of it.
if you liked these recipe, we recommend checking out our favorite tiramisu torte recipes post.
