Sunday, 31 July 2022

Strawberry Galette

This fresh strawberry galette uses sweetened strawberries that are wrapped in a beautiful rustic buttery pastry and baked to perfection. Strawberry galette is a much easier version of a pie, and it will become your new favorite strawberry dessert!

Fresh berry desserts just have a way of capturing happy childhood memories for me. I loved when my mom would make this delicious fruit pizza, and my kids love when I make these fun cheesecake stuffed strawberries. And if you’re looking for a beautiful cake to make for anyone that loves berries, I highly recommend this cake!

Top view of baked strawberry galette on a marble board. Fresh whole and halved strawberries scattered beside the galette.

What Is Strawberry Galette?

I can’t stop thinking about this incredible dessert! The combination of the flaky sweet crust with vine-ripened strawberries. My tastebuds were so happy when I took my first bite, and I’m so excited for you to make it.

This French-inspired tart starts with a delicious crust, and then it is filled with sweetened sliced strawberries. This recipe is so simple and straightforward that you’ll want to make a galette for every fruit. Any dessert that starts with my flaky pie crust is a crowd pleaser, like my chocolate pie or my new favorite cookie pie.

Ingredients Needed For Strawberry Galette

The simplicity of this easy strawberry galette recipe is what makes it easy to whip up for a perfect spring or summer dessert. The ingredients needed are basic everyday ingredients you most likely have on hand. Most of the time, I just need to make sure I have strawberries in my garden or stop at the store and grab some! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

For the Crust:

  • All-purpose flour: Create a perfect homemade crust starting with all-purpose flour.
  • Salt: Because you are adding salt to the dough, make sure your butter is unsalted.
  • Granulated Sugar: A sweet pastry crust is the best base for a fruit dessert!
  • Unsalted Butter:  Cold unsalted butter is a must! Make sure your butter is very cold and cubed. This is important to achieve a flaky crust!
  • Ice Water: Cold ice water keeps the dough chilled for rolling out and is a must when making your own dough for a strawberry galette.
  • Egg Yolk: One egg yolk is whisked for the egg wash.
  • Water: You’ll be whisking water with the egg yolk for the egg wash.
  • Turbinado Sugar:  Turbinado sugar is needed for the topping and adds a sweet texture to dessert crusts.
  • Apricot Jam: A little apricot jam brushed on top gives the berries a nice beautiful shine!

For the Filling:

  • Fresh Strawberries: In-season juicy strawberries make this galette unforgettable.
  • Lemon Juice: Lemon juice balances out the flavors
  • Granulated Sugar: The sugar helps break down the juices in the strawberries and creates a sweet mixture.
  • Cornstarch: This will help thicken the juices from the strawberries, so your strawberry galette doesn’t get soggy.
6 photos showing how to make a strawberry galette. First photo of dough mixed in a glass bowl. Second photo of dough formed into a ball. Third photo of dough rolled out with a rolling pin. Fourth photo of strawberries added and crust being wrapped up around the berries. Fifth photo of the egg wash being brushed on the crust. sixth photo of finished assembled galette ready to go into the oven on a baking sheet.

How to Make Strawberry Galette

I walk you through the whole process of making this delicious strawberry galette, so you have nothing to worry about! I promise you. It is easier than pie and so fun to make. And I much prefer making a fruit-filled galette before a pie any day!

For the Crust:

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients/ Cut in Butter: In a medium bowl whisk the flour, salt, and sugar together. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut in with a pastry cutter until the butter is pea sized.
  2. Add Water/Form Dough: Slowly add the cold water and stir with a fork until the dough begins to come together. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and use your hands to bring the dough together in a disk.
  3. Wrap and Chill: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes while you prepare the filling.

For the Filling:

  1. Combine Strawberries and Lemon Juice: Add the sliced strawberries and lemon juice to a large bowl.
  2. Make Cornstarch Mixture/ Coat Strawberries: In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch. Then, pour it over the strawberries and stir to coat evenly and then set it aside.

Assembly:

  • Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Roll Out Dough: Remove the dough from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a 12-15 inch circle, depending on how thick you like your crust.
  • Add Strawberries/Fold Dough: Arrange the strawberries in the center of the dough, leaving about a 2-inch border of dough around the edge. Fold the dough over the strawberries, pinching and pleating to create the free-form edge. This free-form edge is quite forgiving, and you can pinch and tear pieces of dough to make it look how you would like.
  • Make Egg Wash: In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk and water together to make the egg wash. Use a pastry brush to brush the crust with the egg wash and then sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
  • Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the crust is nice and golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow the galette to cool completely.
  • Brush on Jam: Before serving, heat a tablespoon of apricot jam in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before using a pastry brush to brush the hot jam over the top of the strawberries, giving them a nice shine.
  • Serve: Enjoy the strawberry galette warm or at room temperature. I also love it topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
Close up and top view of a slice of galette being served. Fresh strawberries garnished on the side.

Tips For Making the BEST Galette

Follow my tips for your Pinterest perfect-looking strawberry galette! It’s much more forgiving than a traditional pie and is an impressive dessert full of rich flavor! Use these great tips to ensure the best result each time you make your galette!

  • Use Cold Ingredients: Working with very cold butter and very cold ice water will help your crust be nice and flaky. I like to dice my butter and then throw it in the freezer for about 30 minutes before starting the preparation of the crust. You can even put the measured-out cold water in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes to get it even colder.
  • Don’t Work Dough Too Much: If you knead your dough too much, gluten will develop. This will result in a dense, shriveling crust. I like to use a pastry cutter to make my dough, but feel free to use a food processor if you prefer. A food processor will help you achieve the pea size dough. Just be careful not to over-mix the dough. 
  • Don’t Overfill: One difference between a galette and a pie is the amount of fruit in the filling. Pies are typically stuffed full of fruit, whereas galettes bake more evenly when there is an even layer of fruit. Avoid overstuffing and then if you have too much filling in the crust, leave any extra berries out.
  • Apricot Glaze: This is an optional step, but adding the apricot glaze to the top of the strawberries will take your galette over the top and give it that wow factor for presentation. Also, a little lemon zest on top would be delicious and lovely for serving!
A closeup view of two slices cut out of the whole strawberry galette. Two scoops of ice cream are on top of the galette and starting to melt.

Storing Leftovers

Strawberry galette is just as good the next day as it is fresh! I even make it a day in advance to save time when I have dinner guests.

  • Room Temperature: My favorite way to store leftovers of this galette (if there is any left over!) is on a plate or baking sheet covered tightly with plastic wrap. It will keep for about 3-4 days at room temp.
  • In the Refrigerator: You can extend the shelf life of this galette by storing it in the fridge instead of on the counter. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap on a plate or baking sheet. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 6 days. Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or enjoy cold.
A slice of strawberry galette on a gray plate topped with a scoop of ice cream, and garnished with fresh strawberries on the side. A view of the remaining galette is pictured in the distance.
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Strawberry Galette

This fresh strawberry galette uses sweetened strawberries that are wrapped in a beautiful rustic buttery pastry and baked to perfection. Strawberry galette is a much easier version of a pie, and it will become your new favorite strawberry dessert!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword easy desserts, Fourth of July, fruit galette, Spring, strawberry galette
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Chill Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 8 People
Calories 320kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
  • ¼ cup ice water
  • 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
  • 2 tablespoons water (for egg wash)
  • Turbinado sugar (for topping)
  • Apricot jam (for glaze)

Filling

  • 1 ½ pounds fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

Crust

  • In a medium bowl whisk the flour, salt, and sugar together. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut in with a pastry cutter until the butter is pea sized.
  • Slowly add the cold water and stir with a fork until the dough begins to come together. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and use your hands to bring the dough together in a disk.
  • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes while you prepare the filling.

Filling

  • Add the sliced strawberries and lemon juice to a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch. Pour over the strawberries and stir to coat evenly. Set aside.

Assembly

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Remove the dough from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a 12-15 inch circle, depending on how thick you like your crust.
  • Arrange the strawberries in the center of the dough, leaving about a 2-inch border of dough around the edge. Fold the dough over the strawberries, pinching and pleating to create the free-form edge. This free-form edge is quite forgiving, and you can pinch and tear pieces of dough to make it look how you would like.
  • In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk and water together to make the egg wash. Use a pastry brush to brush the crust with the egg wash and then sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the crust, is nice and golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow the galette to cool completely.
  • Before serving, heat a tablespoon of apricot jam in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before using a pastry brush to brush the hot jam over the top of the strawberries, giving them a nice shine.
  • Enjoy the galette warm or at room temperature. I also love it topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 575IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg


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Saturday, 30 July 2022

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

If you love orange creamsicles, you’re going to LOVE these cookies! They’re soft, buttery, and loaded with orange zest and white chocolate chips.

Making homemade cookies is the best reason to turn on your oven in the summer! Try these strawberry chocolate chip, lemon ricotta, and blueberry cookies next!

A stack of 4 creamsicle cookies.

Homemade Orange Creamsicle Cookies Recipe

I have one heck of an awesome cookie recipe with you today. Ever had a 50/50 bar? AKA a dreamsicle bar? The orange-vanilla variety of ice cream bar? If you know what I’m talking about then you are probably drooling a little bit right now because they are amazing! They’re a classic summer treat and taste even better in cookie form.

Well these orange creamsicle cookies? They’re pretty much like the non-frozen version of a 50/50 bar. Orange and vanilla plus chunks of white chocolate…. these are so incredible and absolutely perfect for summertime! They are the best way to wrap up a backyard BBQ or a long day in the sun. Perfectly buttery and zesty, your family won’t be able to get enough! Let’s get baking!

Ingredients Needed

As long as you’ve got some fresh oranges on hand, the rest of the ingredients are super simple! You probably have all of them in your pantry right now, so nothing’s stopping you from making a batch! You can thank me later.

  • Flour: All-purpose flour works just fine!
  • Baking Soda: Helps your cookies rise properly.
  • Salt: This will help enhance the flavor of your entire batch of cookies.
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and makes your creamsicle cookies moist and soft.
  • Sugar: I used both white and brown sugar here!
  • Egg: Binds all of the ingredients together.
  • Vanilla Extract: Helps deepen the flavor of your cookies.
  • Orange Zest: Adds that classic orange flavor! You’ll need the zest of 1-2 oranges here. I always recommend fresh orange zest for the best flavor, but orange extract works too.
  • White Chocolate Chips: A must for creamy, chocolatey goodness!

How to Make Creamsicle Cookies

These orange creamsicle cookies are so easy to make! They are just as easy as making storebought cookies but taste a million times better. You’ve got to make them and see for yourself!

  1. Preheat Oven, Prepare Flour Mixture: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
  2. Prepare Butter Mixture: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and orange zest and mix well.
  3. Combine: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until all ingredients are incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips.
  4. Shape: Dust hands with flour, then shape 2-3 tablespoons of cookie dough into a ball (doesn’t need to be a perfect ball, just shape it a bit) and place on baking a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, placing dough balls about 2-3 inches apart on the sheet.
  5. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, then allow to cool on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
4-photo collage of cookies being prepared and shaped.

Tips for Making Homemade Cookies

Here are a few simple ways to make sure your homemade creamsicle cookies turn out soft, chewy, and delicious every time!

  • Underbake: I always take my cookies out of the oven when the centers are still slightly soft. They’ll cook for a few more minutes on the cooling rack. This trick helps prevent your cookies from getting overcooked.
  • Keep the Oven Closed: I know it may be tempting to open the oven door and check on your cookies, but in doing so you let out all of the hot air needed to cook them thoroughly. Use the oven light to check on them instead!
  • Use Lemon: Want your cookies to taste like lemon bars instead? Swap out the orange zest for lemon.
Top-down view of 7 cookies on a cooling rack.

Storing Leftover Creamsicle Cookies

These orange creamsicle cookies are a dream! If you have some left over, here’s how to keep them tasting fresh and delicious for the rest of the week! You’re going to love having them around to snack on.

  • At Room Temperature: In an airtight container, your creamsicle cookies will last for 1 week.

Note: For that just-baked effect, pop leftover cookies in the microwave for 15 seconds or until warm and ooey-gooey!

Closeup of a creamsicle cookie torn in half.
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Orange Creamsicle Cookies

If you love orange creamsicles, you're going to LOVE these cookies! They're soft, buttery, and loaded with orange zest and white chocolate chips.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cookie recipes, cookies, orange creamsicle cookies
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings 24 Cookies
Calories 238kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest 1-2 oranges
  • 2 cups white chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a large bowl cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and orange zest and mix well.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until all ingredients are incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips.
  • Dust hands with flour, then shape 2-3 tablespoons of cookie dough into a ball (doesn’t need to be a perfect ball, just shape it a bit) and place on baking a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, placing dough balls about 2-3 inches apart on the sheet.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, then allow to cool on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 69mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 253IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg


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Greek Chicken Bowl

Greek marinated chicken, fresh cut veggies, hummus, tzatziki sauce…all your favorite Greek flavors together in one bowl! You are going to love this Greek chicken bowl of goodness that transports you to the Mediterranean.

I love making Greek-inspired meals, and everyone looks forward to Greek night. Try making this easy chicken recipe or this fresh pasta salad for your next potluck! Greek dishes are a delicious addition to your weekly dinner lineup, and I make it easy with my slow cooker chicken recipe.

Top view of two greek bowls garnished with lemon slices and chopped parsley on the side.

What Are Greek Chicken Bowls?

Greek chicken bowls are all your favorite Greek flavors combined into one bowl. Juicy Greek-marinated grilled chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, red onion, hummus, feta cheese, and tzatziki sauce on a bed of brown rice. Such a delicious and nutritionally balanced dinner idea!

If you really want to go all out, you wow your dinner guests by making some of the bowl ingredients from scratch! I love love love this perfect naan bread that can be cut up and served like pita bread. Or you could make the best homemade hummus and feta dip that I think would be delicious in these bowls.

What Goes In A Greek Chicken Bowl?

Fresh ingredients are the beauty of a Greek chicken bowl. I like to meal prep the chicken ahead of time, making dinner time a breeze. All of the ingredients can be prepped in advance.

  • Chicken Souvlaki: Making this delicious recipe ahead of time makes these bowls assemble quickly and easily.
  • Brown Rice: Any kind of rice or grain works in these bowls as a base.
  • Cucumbers: English cucumbers are my favorite cucumbers to use.
  • Grape Tomatoes: Slice the tomatoes in half to make eating easier.
  • Red Onion: Slice or dice the red onion here. It adds great flavor!
  • Kalamata Olives: I LOVE kalamata olives. Make sure the pits are removed.
  • Hummus: Store-bought makes it easy!
  • Tzatziki sauce: You can buy premade tzatziki sauce at the store. However, I have a great recipe I linked here and below in the recipe card.
  • Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese is so delicious! It also adds great texture to the bowls.
  • Lemon: Because freshly squeezed lemon brings every dish to life!
  • Parsley: Garnish with minced fresh parsley for presentation and added flavor! Fresh herbs are always a must.

How To Make Greek Chicken Bowls

Making Greek chicken bowls is an easy dinner recipe, and you will love how quickly they can be made. Combining your dinner ingredients all together in a bowl is so fun! As a result, you will want to make all of your meals a one-bowl dinner!

  1. Prepare the Chicken and Tzatziki Sauce: Prepare and grill the chicken souvlaki and tzatziki sauce recipes ahead of time before you assemble the bowls. It can be done a few days ahead of time, making this an easy and fast weeknight meal.
  2. Cut the Veggies/Warm the Rice: Cut the cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and olives. Also, warm the rice before assembling the bowls.
  3. Assemble the Bowls: To assemble, place one cup of rice in each bowl. Then, divide the rest of the ingredients between each bowl. After that then you will layer on the cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, olives, hummus, crumbled feta cheese, and tzatziki sauce.
  4. Add the Chicken: Top with the prepared chicken souvlaki recipe cut into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Garnish: Garnish with fresh-cut lemons and minced parsley leaves.
  6. Serve: Serve and then enjoy it with a side of pita bread if you desire!
Photo of Greek chicken bowl ingredients in individual bowls. Also pictured is grilled chicken souvlaki on a skewer.

Variations

Everyone enjoys a meal served in a bowl because they can make it their own. Guests can mix and match ingredients how they like. Here are a few ideas to help you think outside the box and be creative with your ingredient options.

  • Try Different Grains: Switch up the grains in the Greek chicken bowl by using a base of any rice, orzo pasta, or quinoa. And if you really want to get authentic, Greek cuisine often uses cooked barley, which would be delicious!
  • Add More Veggies: I love to add more vegetables to the bowls because it helps me sneak in more fiber. Bell peppers and/or zucchini would be delicious in these bowls. Also, you can grill the veggies or serve them fresh! You can also make a simple cucumber salad ahead of time to speed up assembly.
  • Make It Low Carb: If you’re trying to cut back on carbohydrates, then these Greek chicken bowls are delicious on a bed of cauliflower rice. Or you can assemble your bowl on top of a bed of romaine lettuce, which is basically a salad. This makes your bowl low-calorie as well!
Close up photo of Greek chicken bowl in a white stone textured bowl garnished with pita slices and a lemon wedge. A fork lifting out chicken is also pictured.

Leftovers

I like to prepare the ingredients for my Greek chicken bowls at the beginning of the week in bulk. This way, I have a delicious lunch ready to make whenever!

  • Chicken: In an airtight container, your cooked chicken will last for up to 5 days stored in the fridge. You can serve cold or reheat. Be sure to check that the internal temperature of your chicken has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit if reheating.
  • Vegetables: As a general rule of thumb, I will keep my chopped vegetables no longer than 4 days in the fridge.
  • Rice: Cooked rice will last in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store in an airtight container.
Print

Greek Chicken Bowl

Greek marinated chicken, fresh cut veggies, hummus, tzatziki sauce…all your favorite Greek flavors together in one bowl! You are going to love this Greek chicken bowl of goodness that transports you to the Mediterranean. 
Course Dinner, lunch
Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword Healthy
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 911kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 recipe chicken souvlaki
  • 2 cups brown rice, (any grain works)
  • 1 cup English cucumbers, sliced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives
  • 1/4 cup hummus
  • 1/4 cup tzatziki sauce
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • Lemon, for garnish
  • parsley, minced, for garnish

Instructions

  • Prepare and grill the chicken souvlaki and tzatziki sauce recipes ahead of time before you assemble the bowls. It can be done a few days ahead of time making this an easy and fast weeknight meal.
  • Cut the cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and olives. Also, warm the rice before assembling the bowls.
  • To assemble, place one cup of rice in each bowl. Divide the rest of the ingredients between each bowl. Layer on the cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, olives, hummus, crumbled feta cheese, and tzatziki sauce.
  • Top with the prepared chicken souvlaki recipe cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Garnish with fresh cut lemons and minced parsley leaves.
  • Serve and enjoy with a side of pita bread if you desire!

Nutrition

Serving: 2bowls | Calories: 911kcal | Carbohydrates: 160g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 1018mg | Potassium: 888mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 995IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 244mg | Iron: 5mg


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