This French Peach Tart (A La Frangipane) is an elegant and delicious dessert featuring a buttery, flaky crust, luscious almond cream filling (frangipane), and juicy, caramelized peaches. The combination of sweet peaches and nutty almond cream creates a perfect balance of flavors, making it a crowd-pleasing treat for any occasion. Whether you serve it warm or chilled, this tart is a classic French pastry that’s sure to impress!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Crust:

1 ½ cups (150g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup (80g) confectioners’ sugar
1 ½ sticks (150g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into ½-inch cubes
¼ cup cold water

For the Almond Cream Filling (Frangipane):

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
⅔ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup ground almond meal
1 large egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For the Topping:

4 peaches, sliced into wedges

Directions

Prepare the Tart Crust:
- Lightly grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet or tart pan with butter.
- In a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle water over the mixture and pulse until just moistened and crumbly.
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead a few times until it forms a ball. Flatten into a disk, roll out into an 8 to 10-inch circle, and press into the prepared skillet or tart pan.
- Refrigerate while preparing the almond filling.
Make the Almond Cream Filling (Frangipane):
- In a stand mixer or bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until creamy.
- Mix in almond meal, vanilla extract, and egg until smooth.
- Add flour and mix until well combined.
Assemble the Tart:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread the almond cream filling evenly over the chilled tart crust.
- Arrange peach slices evenly over the filling, pressing them slightly into the frangipane.
Bake:
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the crust is golden, the filling is set, and the peaches are lightly caramelized.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing.
Serve & Enjoy:
- Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with honey.

Nutrients (Per Serving – Approximate)

Calories: 350 kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 23g
Sodium: 120mg

This classic French Peach Tart is a delicate, buttery, and fruit-filled dessert that’s perfect for a summer gathering, brunch, or tea-time treat. Enjoy the rich almond flavor paired with juicy peaches in every bite! 🥧🍑✨

A Brief History of Frangipane

The origin of frangipane is deeply rooted in French and Italian culinary traditions. It is believed to have been named after the 16th-century Italian nobleman, Marquis Frangipani, whose family was famous for creating a highly fragrant almond-scented cream. In modern pastry, frangipane refers to a rich, almond-flavored cream that typically consists of butter, sugar, ground almonds, eggs, and flour. This smooth, flavorful cream is commonly used in tarts and pastries.

In the case of this French Peach Tart, the frangipane filling acts as a luscious base that complements the sweet and tart peaches. The richness of the almond cream balances out the natural sweetness of the peaches, creating a dessert that is both decadent and refreshing.

The Perfect Crust: Buttery, Flaky, and Light

The crust of the French Peach Tart is just as important as the filling and topping. Made with a combination of all-purpose flour, butter, and confectioners’ sugar, this dough creates a crisp and delicate base. The key to achieving the perfect texture is using cold butter and water, which help the dough to maintain its flakiness and tenderness during baking.

Unlike traditional pie crusts, which can sometimes be tough or dense, the crust in this tart is light, buttery, and melts in your mouth. The addition of powdered sugar also enhances the sweetness of the crust, making it the ideal counterpart to the almond cream and peaches.

The dough is pressed into a tart pan or skillet, which not only allows for an even baking process but also gives the tart a rustic, homey feel. Refrigerating the dough before adding the filling ensures that the crust holds its shape and doesn’t shrink or become soggy during baking.

Peaches: Sweet, Juicy, and Caramelized

The star of this tart is undoubtedly the peaches. Their natural sweetness and juiciness make them the perfect fruit for this dessert. When arranged on top of the frangipane filling, the peaches become tender and slightly caramelized during the baking process, adding a beautiful golden hue to the tart.

The caramelization process deepens the flavor of the peaches, giving them a rich, syrupy sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the nutty frangipane. Fresh, in-season peaches are ideal for this recipe, as they bring a burst of summer flavor to each bite. However, if fresh peaches are unavailable, you can opt for canned or frozen peaches, making this dessert versatile throughout the year.

The Frangipane Filling: Creamy, Nutty, and Irresistible

The frangipane filling is the heart of this tart, offering a smooth, rich texture that pairs perfectly with the peaches and crust. The almond meal gives the cream a slightly grainy texture, which contrasts nicely with the silky filling. The frangipane is sweetened with granulated sugar and flavored with vanilla extract, making it fragrant and indulgent.

What makes frangipane so special is its ability to provide a delicate sweetness while complementing the fruit toppings. The creaminess of the filling enhances the tart’s flavor profile, while the ground almonds offer a nutty richness that rounds out the dish. Frangipane is also versatile—while it works beautifully with peaches in this recipe, it can also be paired with other fruits like pears, apples, or berries for variation.

Baking the Tart: Achieving the Perfect Balance

Baking the French Peach Tart requires careful attention to ensure that the crust is golden and crisp while the frangipane filling remains smooth and creamy. The tart should be baked at 400°F (200°C), which ensures that the crust becomes golden brown and flaky while the frangipane filling sets and firms up.

It is important to allow the tart to cool slightly before slicing, as this gives the frangipane time to firm up completely and prevents the filling from spilling out. The result is a sliceable, firm tart that holds together beautifully but remains soft and moist inside.

Serving and Enjoying the Tart

The French Peach Tart is a dessert that is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat. It can be served warm or at room temperature, depending on your preference. For an extra touch of elegance, you can dust the tart with powdered sugar just before serving or drizzle it with a bit of honey for added sweetness.

This tart is perfect for special occasions, whether you’re serving it at a dinner party, a summer gathering, or as a special treat for a holiday. Its refined flavors and stunning appearance make it an impressive dessert that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Nutritional Benefits of the French Peach Tart

While the French Peach Tart is undeniably a treat for the senses, it also offers several nutritional benefits thanks to its wholesome ingredients. The almond meal in the frangipane filling provides a healthy dose of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, while the peaches contribute vitamins, antioxidants, and natural sugars.

The tart crust, made with all-purpose flour and butter, provides essential carbohydrates and fats. Though it’s a rich dessert, the use of fresh fruit and almonds makes it a more balanced option compared to other indulgent pastries, offering a combination of energy-providing nutrients that satisfy both the sweet tooth and the body’s nutritional needs.

Making the Tart Ahead of Time

If you’re looking to prepare the French Peach Tart in advance, it can be assembled and baked a day ahead of time. Simply store the tart in the refrigerator and allow it to cool completely before serving. If desired, you can reheat it slightly in the oven before serving to restore the crust’s crispness.

This makes the tart an excellent choice for entertaining, as you can prepare it the day before and have a fresh, show-stopping dessert ready when your guests arrive.

Conclusion: A Classic French Dessert

The French Peach Tart (A La Frangipane) is a sophisticated, flavorful dessert that combines the sweetness of peaches with the nutty richness of almond cream and the crispness of a buttery crust. Whether served for a holiday celebration, a summer party, or as an everyday treat, this tart offers an elegant and delightful way to enjoy fresh peaches in a new, decadent form.

The tart’s versatility—paired with peaches or other seasonal fruits—ensures that it can be enjoyed year-round. Its combination of textures and flavors, from the smooth almond filling to the tender caramelized peaches, guarantees that every bite will be a satisfying experience. Try this classic French dessert today, and delight in the perfect blend of buttery crust, creamy filling, and juicy fruit that makes this tart a timeless favorite.

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