Forget Apple Pie: An Easier Thanksgiving Dessert Bobby Flay Recommends

While turkey and stuffing may be the centerpieces on a Thanksgiving table during the main course, almost everyone knows that the meal isn't complete without a sweet finish. And no other type of dessert is more appropriate for this holiday than pie, including one filled with tender, sweet apples. While you can get top-ranking apple pies from a grocery store, making your own can feel much more satisfying and give you bragging rights. However, assembling one from scratch can be an ordeal. Luckily, chef Bobby Flay has a much easier solution: Make a crostata instead.

A crostata is a type of Italian tart that is traditionally made with pasta frolla, a dough whose ingredients typically include flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, although recipes can differ. It's a versatile dessert that can have many different fillings, including one containing ricotta that's one of Rick Steves' favorite desserts in Italy. The form of a crostata is equally varied, as it can be made in a tart pan or free-form, and it's this latter style that Flay prefers.

In an Instagram post, Flay shared, "My tarts, pies and cakes are going to have that 'rustic' look no matter what ... a [crostata] is supposed to feel that way so it's my go-to move!" And if you feel the same way, you should give this dessert a spin. The biggest advantage it has over a traditional pie is its simplicity. All you need to do is place the dough on a baking sheet, add your apples to the center, and fold up the crust over the edges of the filling to hold everything together. Your dough doesn't even need to be a perfect circle, and there's no need for a top crust.

A crostata is simpler to make than many pies, but there's still a little bit of technique and preparation involved in assembling one. While pasta frolla is the traditional crust, you're not bound to using it, and even your favorite all-purpose pie crust recipe can work to bake a rustic apple crostata for Thanksgiving. You can also opt to use premade pie crust from the supermarket if making it from scratch is a little too time-consuming, especially if you have a litany of other dishes to prepare for the holiday. When assembling your crostata, you want to make sure that your crust remains cold but is still pliable.

Now comes time for the filling. Since a crostata is a flatter riff on a pie, you'll want to make sure to thinly slice your apples and not make a huge mound — about 2 inches high is enough. Also, make sure to leave about a 2-inch border between the filling and the edge to give you enough crust to fold over your apples, and create some rough pleats here and there to help contain the filling. Remember that the look of this bake is rustic, so nothing needs to be perfect.

You can also add other things to your crostata filling to give it a little extra pizzazz, including cranberries, golden raisins, or walnuts. Seasonings like Chinese five-spice can add layers of dimension to your rustic apple crostata, too, and a little liqueur can take this dessert to the next level. You can also replace the apples with other fruits, including pears, to bring an unexpected element to the Thanksgiving table.