This classic strawberry galette will quickly become your favorite summery treat! It’s an easy and very forgiving bake, perfect with any seasonal fruits or berries!

Classic Strawberry Galette: Your Go-To Summer Dessert

Welcome, fellow food lovers! As we glide into June, it’s hard to believe how quickly the first half of the year has flown by. With May now a distant memory, our thoughts turn to the warmth of summer and, more importantly, the bounty of its seasonal produce. And what does summer truly herald if not the arrival of those juicy, sweet, and utterly delightful berries? To celebrate this vibrant season, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that perfectly encapsulates summer’s charm: a Classic Strawberry Galette.

Embrace the Season with Fresh Berries

There’s an undeniable magic in using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and strawberries, with their vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor, are stars of the summer. This Strawberry Galette isn’t just a dessert; it’s an homage to summer’s simple pleasures, offering a rustic yet elegant way to enjoy the season’s finest fruits. Much like my beloved Strawberry Pavlova and the savory Summer Tomato Galette, this recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss, making it an ideal choice for any summer gathering or a quiet afternoon treat.

Understanding the Humble Galette

If the term “galette” sounds unfamiliar, let me demystify this wonderful creation for you. Originating from France, where it’s pronounced “gah-let,” or known as “crostata” in Italian, a galette is essentially a flat, free-form tart or pie made from a single crust of shortcrust dough. Unlike traditional pies that require precise crimping and a top crust, galettes are celebrated for their rustic, imperfect charm. They are incredibly versatile, capable of holding both sweet and savory fillings, adapting effortlessly to whatever seasonal fruits or vegetables you have on hand.

Think of a galette as the relaxed, easy-going cousin to a formal pie. It offers all the deliciousness of a fruit pie—the flaky crust, the sweet, tender fruit filling—but with a significantly simpler preparation process. This forgiving nature makes galettes perfect for beginner bakers or anyone looking for a quick and satisfying dessert without the intimidation of pie crust techniques. The beauty of a galette lies in its simplicity; it truly is hard to mess up, making it a stress-free addition to your baking repertoire.

Essential Ingredients for Your Galette

One of the best aspects of making a strawberry galette is the minimal list of ingredients required. You’ll likely have most of them in your pantry already! For the crust, you have a couple of options. For ultimate convenience, a store-bought, ready-made shortcrust pastry will work beautifully and save you time. However, if you prefer the satisfaction of a homemade crust (and trust me, it’s worth it!), you’ll need a simple combination of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, a pinch of salt, cold butter, and ice-cold water. These basic components come together to create a wonderfully flaky and tender base.

For the star of our show, the filling, you’ll need fresh, ripe strawberries. While strawberries are the focus of this recipe, feel free to substitute with any of your favorite seasonal fruits or berries—peaches, blueberries, apples, or a mix of all! A touch more granulated sugar and a hint of vanilla will enhance the fruit’s natural sweetness. For an elevated flavor profile, I love to add a small pinch of freshly ground black pepper and a few basil leaves to the strawberry filling. While entirely optional, these additions introduce an unexpected layer of complexity and freshness that beautifully complements the strawberries. The subtle spice of pepper and the aromatic notes of basil truly make this galette unforgettable.

Crafting the Perfect Galette Dough

The secret to a truly flaky and tender galette crust lies in keeping your ingredients, particularly the butter and water, as cold as possible. This is a non-negotiable step for success! I highly recommend placing your diced butter in the freezer for about 10 minutes before you begin. For the water, pour the required amount into a measuring jug or cup and add a few ice cubes. Measure the exact amount of ice-cold water just before you incorporate it into the dry ingredients. Maintaining a low temperature for the dough prevents the butter from melting too soon, ensuring those distinct pockets of butter that create a wonderfully flaky texture.

To make the crust, begin by combining the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Next, add the super cold, diced butter. Using your fingertips, a pastry blender, or a fork, quickly work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pieces of butter still about the size of small peas. This chunky texture is key to flakiness. Gradually add the ice-cold water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just begins to come together. Be careful not to overmix; overworking the dough develops gluten, leading to a tough crust. Once it forms a cohesive mass, gently gather the dough, roll it into a ball, then flatten it into a thick disc. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour. This chilling period is crucial as it allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, making the dough easier to roll and ensuring a tender, flaky baked crust.

Preparing Your Luscious Strawberry Filling

While your dough chills patiently in the refrigerator, it’s the perfect time to prepare the star of our show: the luscious strawberry filling. Begin by gently washing and hulling your fresh strawberries. Slice them or cut them into quarters, depending on their size and your preference for texture. Place the prepared strawberries in a medium bowl. Sprinkle them generously with granulated sugar and mix in the vanilla bean paste (if using). The sugar will work its magic, drawing out the natural juices from the strawberries. These released juices are liquid gold – full of concentrated strawberry flavor and perfect for drizzling over the baked galette for an extra burst of sweetness and moisture. Set the fruit aside and allow it to macerate while the dough finishes chilling.

Assembling Your Rustic Masterpiece

Once your dough has had sufficient time to chill and firm up, it’s time for assembly. Lightly flour your work surface and your rolling pin to prevent sticking. Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it out into a circle approximately 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter. Don’t stress too much about achieving a perfect circle; the rustic, free-form nature is part of the galette’s charm! However, if you desire a more uniform shape, you can place a dinner plate over the rolled dough and gently trim around its edge with a knife. Carefully transfer the rolled dough onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. This parchment paper is essential for easy transfer and cleanup.

Now, for the filling: spoon the prepared strawberries into the center of the dough, making sure to leave about a 5 cm (2-inch) border all around the edge. Remember to reserve the delicious juices that the strawberries have released – you’ll want those later! Once the fruit is nestled in the center, gently fold the edges of the dough over the strawberries, creating a free-form crust. Press the folds gently to seal them, ensuring the juices stay contained during baking. This creates the signature open-faced, rustic look of a galette.

Baking to Golden Perfection

With your beautiful galette assembled, it’s ready for its journey to golden perfection in the oven. To achieve that rich, inviting golden-brown glaze, brush the exposed dough with an egg wash (a beaten small egg). This not only adds a beautiful color but also contributes to a slightly crispy finish. For an extra touch of texture and sweetness, generously sprinkle some granulated sugar over the egg-washed crust. This sugar will caramelize during baking, creating a delightful crunch.

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) fan-assisted, or 200°C (400°F) conventional, and bake the galette for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is beautifully golden brown and the strawberries are soft and bubbly. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning. Once baked, carefully remove the galette from the oven. While still warm, you can drizzle it with some of those lovely reserved strawberry juices. This reintroduces moisture and a concentrated burst of strawberry flavor. For those adventurous palates, a small pinch of freshly ground black pepper sprinkled over the strawberries is highly recommended; it provides a subtle warmth that enhances the fruit’s sweetness. You can also scatter a few fresh basil leaves on top after baking for an aromatic finish. Allow the galette to cool slightly on the baking tray before serving. It’s delicious on its own, but also heavenly topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a simple sugar glaze.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

This classic strawberry galette is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. For a traditional dessert experience, a scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream melting over the warm fruit and flaky crust is simply divine. A dollop of freshly whipped cream also provides a lovely contrast in texture and temperature. If you prefer a simpler finish, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a quick drizzle of a basic lemon or vanilla glaze can elevate its appearance and taste.

Beyond the classic, don’t hesitate to experiment with variations. As mentioned, fresh basil adds an unexpected herbaceous note that pairs beautifully with strawberries. A sprinkle of balsamic glaze after baking can also introduce a sophisticated tang. For other fruit options, consider a mixed berry galette, a peach galette, or an apple galette in the fall. The beauty of the galette lies in its adaptability – a true canvas for seasonal flavors.

Tips for Galette Success

• **Keep it Cold:** This cannot be stressed enough. Cold butter and ice-cold water are paramount for a flaky, tender crust. Consider freezing your diced butter for 10-15 minutes before mixing.
• **Don’t Overwork the Dough:** Mix the dough just until it comes together. Over-kneading develops gluten, resulting in a tough crust.
• **Chill Time is Key:** The refrigeration step allows the butter to firm up and the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to roll and ensuring a superior texture. Don’t skip it!
• **Embrace Imperfection:** Galettes are meant to be rustic. Don’t strive for a perfectly symmetrical circle or perfectly folded edges. The charm is in its homemade look.
• **Prevent a Soggy Bottom:** Ensure your fruit is not overly wet. The macerating step helps draw out some excess liquid, which you should reserve and not add back into the galette before baking. A thin layer of breadcrumbs or ground almonds spread on the dough before adding fruit can also absorb extra moisture.
• **Storage:** Leftover galette can be stored at room temperature for a day or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven for a few minutes to crisp up the crust.

📖 Classic Strawberry Galette Recipe Card

Simple and easy recipe for rustic galette, perfect with any seasonal fruits or berries. This dessert is ideal for any beginner bakers as it’s incredibly forgiving and almost impossible to mess it up!

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 1 hour 35 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Keyword: galette, strawberry crostata, strawberry tart, sweet tart

Servings: 6 people

Author: Anna Wierzbinska

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 190 g all-purpose flour
• 50 g granulated sugar (plus 1 teaspoon extra for sprinkling)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 120 g cold butter (diced)
• 60 ml ice-cold water
• 1 small egg (beaten, for egg wash)

For the filling:

• 400 g fresh strawberries (sliced or cut into quarters)
• 30 g granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (optional)
• 1 small pinch of freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. **Prepare the filling:** In a medium bowl, gently mix the sliced strawberries with 30g granulated sugar and vanilla bean paste (if using). Set aside to allow the strawberries to release their juices.
2. **Prepare the crust:** In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 50g granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, diced butter. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
3. Gradually add the ice-cold water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix. Gather the dough into a ball, flatten it into a thick disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
4. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) fan-assisted, or 200°C (400°F) conventional. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
5. **Roll the Dough:** On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a circle about 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter. If desired, use a dinner plate to trim the edges for an even shape. Carefully transfer the dough circle to the prepared baking tray.
6. **Assemble the Galette:** Spoon the macerated strawberries (reserving any released juices) into the center of the dough, leaving a 5 cm (2-inch) border around the edges. Gently fold the dough border over the fruit, pressing lightly to seal the edges.
7. **Bake:** Brush the folded dough with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle with the reserved 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar for a crispy, golden crust.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the fruit is tender and bubbly.
9. **Serve:** Remove from the oven. If desired, drizzle with the reserved strawberry juices and sprinkle with a small pinch of black pepper and fresh basil leaves. Allow the galette to cool slightly on the baking tray before slicing and serving warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Please note that all my recipes are developed and tested in metric grams. I recommend that you use digital scales for more accurate results. I have provided a conversion to US customary in the recipe but please note that I haven’t tested using this method.

Video

A video tutorial for this recipe is available on our platform.

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Final Thoughts & Connect With Me

Thank you for joining me on this culinary journey today! I truly hope you enjoy making and savoring this Classic Strawberry Galette as much as I do. It’s a wonderful reminder that sometimes, the simplest recipes yield the most delightful results. If you try this recipe, or any other from my collection, please let me know your thoughts. Your feedback and creations inspire me!

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