Classic French Almond Tart

Baked Almond Tart

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Prep: 2 hrs 5 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 2 hrs 50 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings

The combination of almonds in a soft cake-like filling encased in pastry is such a winner. A baked almond tart is straightforward to make yet creates a classic in taste and in the French kitchen. 

This almond tart recipe makes a caramelized, delicately crunchy tea time treat and with a dollop of fresh or Chantilly cream served turns this into a winning dessert. 

There are many variations of this dessert, especially a tarte aux pommes which includes apples. 

Ingredients

Pastry:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 7 tablespoons (3 1/2 ounces) cold unsalted butter

  • 3 tablespoons ice water

Almond Filling:

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 15 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

  • 1 tablespoon almond liquor, such as amaretto

  • 1 cup sliced almonds

Steps to Make It

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and salt. Using a pastry cutter, large-tined fork, or a food processor on pulse setting, cut the chilled butter into the flour until it resembles coarse sand with a few pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. Sprinkle the cold water onto the mixture and toss gently a few times, just until it forms a ball that holds together.

  2. Separate the dough into two balls, flatten slightly into thick disk shapes, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for several hours before working with it.

  3. Preheat an oven to 375 F. Roll and trim the dough to make a circle large enough to fit a 10-inch fluted tart pan. Fit the circle into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Line the line the dough with pie weights or dried beans and bake it for 15 minutes. Remove the pie weights and bake the shell for an additional 5 minutes. Set aside the pastry shell, still in the tart pan, to cool.

  4. In a medium saucepan set over low-medium heat, stir together the cream and sugar until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the salt, vanilla extract, almond extract, and almond liquor. Once the flavorings are incorporated, stir in the sliced almonds combined.

  5. Pour the warm almond filling into the prepared pastry and bake it for 30 to 35 minutes until it turns golden brown and the filling is set.

  6. Allow the tart to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Serve at room temperature, or chill in the refrigerator before serving. Serve with a good ice cream or cream as above. 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
380 Calories
24g Fat
37g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories 380
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 24g 31%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 48mg 16%
Sodium 236mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 14%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 58mg 4%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 141mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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