Embrace the charm of French patisserie with this Classic French Almond and Apple Tart, featuring a richly spiced sweet dough base filled with a luscious almond cream and topped with beautifully arranged apple slices. Each component of this tart—from the delicately flavored dough to the creamy filling and the crisp, caramelized apples—comes together to create a dessert that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Why You'll Love This Recipe: This tart is a celebration of textures and flavors, blending the soft sweetness of apples with the deep, comforting notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. The almond cream adds a nutty richness that complements the fruit perfectly, while the sweet dough provides a firm yet tender crust. It's a sophisticated dessert that balances traditional French baking techniques with the simple pleasure of homemade pastry.
Perfect Occasion: Ideal for a range of occasions, this tart shines at dinner parties, holiday gatherings, and special family meals. It's also a fantastic choice for afternoon tea or as a show-stopping dessert at a brunch buffet. Serve this tart at any event where you want to impress your guests with your baking prowess and a taste of French culinary tradition.
Decoration Tips:
- Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern starting from the edge to the center for an elegant presentation.
- Brush the top of the apples with apricot jam after baking for a glossy finish.
- Sprinkle the tart with powdered sugar or cinnamon before serving for extra sweetness and spice.
- Garnish with toasted almond slices or whipped cream for an additional layer of texture and flavor.
- Serve each slice on a plate with a sprig of mint or a dollop of crème fraîche for a refreshing contrast.
Ingredients:
- For the Sweet Dough (Pâte Sucrée):
- 250g flour
- 125g soft butter
- 1 beaten egg
- 75g icing sugar
- 30g almond powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 sachet vanilla sugar
- For the Almond Cream:
- 40g almond powder
- 40g soft butter
- 40g sugar
- 40g egg (about 1 small egg)
- 10g flour
- 1 small jar apple compote
- 4-5 Gala apples, washed
- Prepare the Dough:
- Mix icing sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla sugar, and almond powder with the soft butter using your fingertips until the mixture becomes sandy.
- Gradually add the beaten egg to form a dough.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Roll and Prep the Dough:
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface.
- Fit the dough into a buttered and floured tart pan. Prick the bottom with a fork and freeze for 1 hour.
- Bake the Tart Shell:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the tart shell for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden.
- Make the Almond Cream:
- Cream the soft butter with sugar, then mix in the egg. Stir in the almond powder, flour, and apple compote until smooth.
- Assemble the Tart:
- Spread the almond cream over the pre-baked tart shell.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into quarters. Arrange the apple slices over the almond cream.
- Dot with small pieces of butter and sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Final Baking:
- Bake for about 60 minutes at 180°C (350°F), or until the apples are caramelized and the filling is set.
Enjoy this delightful Almond and Apple Tart, a perfect combination of classic flavors and elegant presentation, sure to transport you straight to a French café!