This almond and orange tart is an elegant and flavorful dessert, perfect for any occasion. The crisp buttery base provides a perfect foundation for the creamy almond and orange filling, enriched with the zest of fresh oranges for a bright and citrusy kick. Topped with crunchy sliced almonds and a dusting of powdered sugar, this tart offers a wonderful balance of textures and flavors. It’s simple to prepare yet impressive, making it an ideal dessert to serve at family gatherings, dinner parties, or as a special treat for yourself.
Why You'll Love This Recipe:
This tart combines the rich, nutty flavor of almonds with the refreshing brightness of orange zest, making it a delightful treat for any palate. The buttery crust is easy to make, while the almond-orange filling is rich and creamy without being overly sweet. The addition of sliced almonds on top adds a satisfying crunch, contrasting beautifully with the soft, velvety filling. Plus, it’s a versatile dessert that can be made ahead and refrigerated, perfect for serving at a party or as a light dessert after a meal.
Perfect Occasion:
This almond and orange tart is perfect for any event where you want to impress your guests with a refined yet easy-to-make dessert. It’s ideal for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or afternoon tea gatherings. Its bright citrus flavor makes it especially suitable for spring and summer events, but its richness allows it to shine during cooler months as well. Serve it as a light yet indulgent dessert after dinner, or enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea.
Decoration Tips:
For an elegant presentation, dust the top of the tart with a generous amount of powdered sugar just before serving. You can also garnish with a few extra orange zest curls for a pop of color and aroma. For a touch of indulgence, serve each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The golden, crunchy almonds on top provide a beautiful contrast against the powdered sugar, giving this tart a bakery-worthy look.
Ingredients (for a 26 cm tart pan):
For the Base:
- 180g cold butter, cubed
- 60g powdered sugar
- 300g all-purpose flour
- 1g salt
- 50g egg (about 1 egg)
For the Filling:
- 100g room temperature butter
- 100g powdered sugar
- 100g almond flour
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 100g egg (about 2 eggs)
- 20g all-purpose flour
- 112g heavy cream
- 150g sliced almonds
Instructions:
For the Base:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and work it into the dry ingredients with your fingers until it forms a crumbly mixture with irregular butter chunks.
- Add the egg and gently press the dough together without kneading it too much. The dough should be slightly uneven in texture.
- Roll the dough out to about 6mm thickness between two sheets of parchment paper. Make sure the dough is slightly larger than your tart pan so it can cover the sides.
- Remove one sheet of parchment and place the dough into the tart pan. Remove the second sheet and gently press the dough into the pan. Trim the excess dough with a knife.
- Freeze the dough for 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 200°C (390°F).
- Once chilled, place a crumpled piece of parchment over the dough and fill the tart shell with dried beans or rice to weigh it down.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the parchment and weights, and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
For the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add the almond flour and orange zest, mixing until combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the all-purpose flour and heavy cream until the filling is smooth and well combined.
- Pour the filling into the pre-baked tart shell and spread it evenly. Top with the sliced almonds, covering the entire surface.
- Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is firm to the touch.
- Let the tart cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Dust with powdered sugar for a finishing touch. Enjoy!