Bonjour! I’m Amélie Leclair, and today I’m excited to share with you my recipe for a Summer Berry Galette. One of the great things about this dessert is how versatile it is, making it perfect for any occasion, from a fancy dinner party to a casual picnic in the park. The galette is bursting with the sweet and tart flavors of different berries, all wrapped in a flaky, buttery crust that’s sure to satisfy any dessert lover’s cravings!
Amélie grew up in a small town in southwestern France, where her passion for cooking was fostered by her family’s love of seasonal and local ingredients. She moved to Canada as a young adult to pursue her studies in graphic design and now works as a freelance artist.
Amélie Leclair currently resides in Canada and grew up in France.
As a native of France, where we take our cuisine very seriously, I’ve always been passionate about cooking and baking. Growing up, I learned how to use fresh, seasonal ingredients and create simple yet flavorful dishes that could bring my family and friends together. That’s why I love this Summer Berry Galette so much – it’s a recipe that celebrates the natural flavors of different berries while also being accessible to anyone, no matter their skill level in the kitchen.
Galette is a French word that refers to a type of pie or flat cake that’s made with a single crust and can be filled with a variety of sweet or savory ingredients. While the recipe for a galette can vary depending on the region or the chef’s preferences, it’s often associated with rustic, home-style cooking and the use of whatever ingredients are available. In fact, one of the joys of making a galette is that you can experiment with different fruits, spices, and even herbs to create your own unique flavor combinations. And since the crust is relatively easy to make and shape, you don’t need to be a pastry chef to master this recipe!
What you need
This Summer Berry Galette is my new favorite dessert recipe! What makes this galette so special is the combination of different mixed berries that create a delicious flavor complexity. The crust is flaky, yet buttery, and is carefully filled with juicy mixed berries that are perfectly sweet and tart. One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s quite easy to make and doesn’t require any fancy pastry skills. Just a handful of common ingredients such as flour, butter, and sugar, and some mixed berries, and voila! You have a beautiful and tasty dessert to impress your guests with! The recipe’s several steps are easy to follow, including making the crust, preparing the filling, filling up the crust, and baking the galette. Serve the galette warm or cold, with some whipped cream or ice cream, and you will have a fantastic Summer dessert in no time.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour – The base for the crust of the galette, substituting with whole wheat flour will make the crust denser.
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness to the crust and helps it become flaky. Can be substituted with vegan butter for a vegan version.
- Granulated sugar – A little bit of sweetness to the crust of the galette.
- Salt – Enhances the flavor of the crust.
- Ice water – Helps to bring the dough together; making it easier to handle.
- Mixed berries – Use a combination of blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries to build flavor complexity and depth.
- Cornstarch – Helps to thicken the berry juices without watering down the crust.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a hint of sweetness and smoothes out the berry flavor.
- Egg – Used to brush the crust for a shiny finish.
- Turbinado sugar – Adds a bit of crunch to the crust and a touch of sweetness.
Utensils:
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Pastry brush – Can be substituted with a piece of clean cloth or even your fingers, but a brush makes it easier to get an even coating.
Mixed Berries
Berries are some of my favorite fruits, and I especially love mixed berry desserts. Berries are packed with nutrients and antioxidants, making them a healthy choice. In my opinion, using a mix of berries is the way to go when baking a Summer Berry Galette because it creates a more complex flavor profile. For example, raspberries are tart, while blackberries are sweet. When you combine the two, you end up with a sweet and tart combination, making it more interesting to your palate. Not to mention, mixed berries give the galette a beautiful and colorful appearance.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a common ingredient used in many dishes, but it’s not usually the star of the show. In this recipe, though, it plays an important role. Cornstarch is used to thicken the juicy berry mixture so that it doesn’t make the crust of the galette soggy. It gives the filling a slightly thicker and syrupy texture that’s more appealing and easier to handle. Not to mention, it’s a great ingredient for those who have dietary restrictions because it’s gluten-free and vegan. It’s also a very affordable ingredient that can be found in most grocery stores.
What to serve it with?
For me, there’s nothing better than serving a slice of my Summer Berry Galette warm, with a dollop of whipped cream on top. The creamy sweetness of the whipped cream complements the tartness of the berries in the galette so perfectly. It’s a classic pairing that always reminds me of summers spent in my grandmother’s garden, picking berries and making desserts together. Of course, if you’re feeling more indulgent, you could also serve the galette with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which would create a delightful contrast of hot and cold, sweet and tangy flavors. No matter what you choose, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this versatile dessert just as much as I do!
Summary
Mmm, I can practically taste the sweet and juicy flavors just thinking about this delicious Summer Berry Galette! I hope you’ve enjoyed discovering the recipe with me today, and that you’ll give it a try in your own kitchen soon. When you do, I’d love to hear about what kind of berries you used, or any other variations or tweaks you made to the recipe. So feel free to leave a comment below and let’s compare notes! In the meantime, happy baking and bon appétit!
Here’s the recipe:
Summer Berry Galette
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- cutting board
- Pastry Brush
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 4-6 tablespoons Ice water
- 2 cups Mixed berries
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 Egg
- 1 tablespoon Turbinado sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the crust - In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and salt. Cut butter into small cubes and add to the bowl. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to break the butter into the flour until the mixture becomes crumbly. Add 4-6 tablespoons of ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and knead until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. - Make sure the butter is very cold, and handle the dough as little as possible. The key to a flaky crust is the chunks of butter in the dough that will melt in the oven and create pockets of air.
- Make the filling - In a separate bowl, mix together the berries, remaining sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Set aside. - Make sure the fruit is dry before mixing it with the cornstarch and sugar. You can wash and pat dry the fruits with a paper towel.
- Roll the dough - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the dough into a 12-inch circle and transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. - Flour your work surface generously and use a rolling pin to roll the dough evenly. To transfer the dough without tearing, fold it in half and then in half again, then place it on the baking sheet and unfold it.
- Add the filling - Pour the berry mixture onto the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges. Gently fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pleating as you go. - Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fruit to the center of the dough, leaving any collected juices behind. The fruit should be arranged in a circular pattern.
- Bake the galette - Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush the edges of the dough with it. Sprinkle the edge with turbinado sugar. Bake the galette in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Serve hot or cold. - You can use any leftover egg to create an egg wash for other recipes. A pastry brush works better when it comes to brushing the egg onto the dough edges than your fingers.
