When I was a professional baker, I made so many of these tarts I could have whipped up one in my sleep. Still, the recipe remains a favorite I go back to again and again. The rich, creamy almond filling, known as frangipane, is a tasty complement to the juicy sweetness of ripe pears, and though it may take you a while to perfect the shape of its rustic crust, it always tastes great.
Ingredients
FOR THE DOUGH:
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour, chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes
- 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup ice water
FOR THE FRANGIPANE:
- 1 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
FOR THE PEAR FILLING:
- 3 ripe Bartlett or Anjou pears (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, cored, and each cut into 12 slices
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
FOR FINISHING THE TART:
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Sugar for sprinkling
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Make the dough. In a food processor, pulse the flour, butter, and salt until the butter is reduced to pea-size pieces, about 7 or 8 times. Pour the ice water in a steady stream through the lid opening, pulsing the processor 6 to 8 times as you do so. Do not pulse the mixture after all the water has been added (the dough should be dry and crumbly).
- Place the mixture on a cool work surface. With the heel of your hand, mash it against the counter until it comes together and forms a rough dough. Shape it into a 1/2-inch-thick disk and wrap it in plastic. Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.
- Next, make the frangipane. In a food processor, grind the almonds and sugar into a fine meal. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse in short bursts until well blended. Set the mixture aside.
- For the filling, toss the pears with the sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Taste the filling, add more sugar if desired, and set it aside.
- Heat the oven to 425°. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 16-inch round, rotating it after each roll to prevent sticking. If needed, lightly dust with flour as you roll. Fold the dough in half twice and transfer it to a parchment-lined cookie sheet. (Place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes if it becomes warm and hard to handle.)
- Unfold the dough and spread the frangipane in an 8-inch circle in the center. Add the pears, arranging them in an even layer on top of the frangipane. Fold the sides of the dough over the pears, pleating the edges as you go.
- Brush the dough with the egg wash and sprinkle it with sugar. Cut the tablespoon of butter into small pieces, then scatter them over the entire tart. Reduce the oven temperature to 400° and bake the tart in the lower third of the oven until the bottom is brown and crispy and the top is golden, about 40 minutes. Cool the tart for about 30 minutes before serving it warm, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if you like. Serves 10.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (one slice): Calories 440 ● Total Fat 25 g (38% DV) ● Saturated Fat 13 g (65% DV) ● Cholesterol 87 mg (29% DV) ● Sodium 132 mg (5% DV) ● Total Carbohydrate 47 g (16% DV) ● Fiber 4 g (16% DV) ● Sugars 25 g ● Protein 7 g (14% DV)
Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Food , Recipes
