This Raspberry Almond Tart features a melt-in-your-mouth, buttery crust, perfectly complemented by a smooth almond filling and a vibrant layer of raspberry jam. It’s both visually stunning and bursting with flavors that will captivate anyone who tastes it.
Perfect for a summer gathering or an elegant dessert to end a dinner party, this tart brings a balance of sweetness and nuttiness in every bite. Its beautiful presentation makes it a showstopper, while its simplicity keeps it accessible for home bakers. The raspberry topping adds a fresh burst of flavor, making this dessert as delicious as it is beautiful.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1/4 cup powdered sugar
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
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1 egg yolk
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2 tablespoons ice water
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1 cup almond meal
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 large egg
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1/2 cup raspberry jam
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1/2 cup fresh raspberries (for topping)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a tart pan and set aside.
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In a food processor, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Add the egg yolk and pulse again. Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
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Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Press the dough into the tart pan, covering the bottom and sides evenly. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork.
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Blind-bake the crust for 15 minutes, then remove the pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes until golden.
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In a medium bowl, mix almond meal, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and egg to make the filling. Pour the almond mixture into the baked tart shell.
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Bake the tart for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and lightly browned on top.
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Allow the tart to cool completely. Spread raspberry jam evenly over the top and garnish with fresh raspberries.
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Slice and enjoy!
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Kcal: 250 kcal | Servings: 8 servings
Why You’ll Love This Tart
What makes this Raspberry Almond Tart stand out from other desserts? First, its versatility. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, this recipe is relatively simple yet yields impressive results. The smooth almond filling is easy to prepare, and the combination of textures—from the crumbly crust to the creamy filling and juicy fruit—creates a delightful experience in every bite.
This tart also strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and lightness. It’s sweet enough to satisfy your cravings without being overwhelming. The fresh raspberries offer a natural tartness that cuts through the richness of the almond filling, making every slice feel refreshing and delightful.
Moreover, the Raspberry Almond Tart is versatile enough to suit different occasions. It’s a great addition to a brunch spread, a delightful dessert for an afternoon tea, or a show-stopping finale at a dinner party. Whether served on a special occasion or a simple weekend gathering, this tart is sure to impress your guests and become a crowd favorite.
The Almond Meal: Key to a Rich and Flavorful Filling
The almond meal, or ground almonds, is the star ingredient in the filling. It provides a unique, smooth texture that contrasts wonderfully with the crisp tart crust. The use of almond meal not only adds richness and depth to the tart but also makes it a gluten-free dessert option for those with dietary restrictions. The almonds lend a natural sweetness and a depth of flavor that enhances the overall profile of the tart.
Almond meal also contributes to the tart’s luxurious, creamy texture. When combined with the egg, sugar, and flour, it forms a delicate custard-like filling that holds its shape but melts in your mouth. This creates a perfect balance between the lightness of the tart crust and the richness of the filling.
Additionally, almonds are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and protein, making this dessert a little bit healthier than many traditional sweet treats. While it’s still a dessert to enjoy in moderation, you can feel good about indulging in something that offers more than just a sugar rush.
The Role of Fresh Raspberries
Raspberries are the perfect fruit to top this tart. Their bright color adds visual appeal, while their natural tartness provides a pleasant contrast to the sweet almond filling. Fresh raspberries are full of antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, making them not just delicious but also a nutritious addition to the tart.
The fresh raspberries also release a burst of juiciness as you bite into them, which pairs beautifully with the almond filling. This combination of textures—the soft filling, the crunchy crust, and the juicy raspberries—creates a layered sensory experience that makes every bite of this tart a joy. When layered with the raspberry jam, the fruit’s tartness and the sweet jam’s richness work together to create a balanced flavor profile that is neither too sweet nor too tangy.
Perfecting the Tart Crust
The crust is another essential element of this Raspberry Almond Tart. It serves as the foundation for the almond filling and fresh raspberries. For the best results, it’s important to use cold butter in the dough, as this helps to create a flakier, more tender crust. The addition of powdered sugar ensures a slightly sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture that complements the richness of the almond filling.
One of the key techniques for making the perfect tart crust is blind-baking. Blind-baking means pre-baking the crust before adding the filling. This step ensures that the crust stays crisp and doesn’t become soggy once the almond filling and raspberry jam are added. It’s important to bake the crust until it’s lightly golden, as this will give it a beautiful color and enhance its buttery flavor.
How to Customize the Tart
While this Raspberry Almond Tart is delicious as is, there are many ways to customize it to suit your tastes or dietary preferences. If you prefer a nuttier flavor, you could experiment with using different nut flours, such as hazelnut or walnut meal, in place of the almond meal. This would give the filling a unique flavor twist while maintaining the tart’s rich, creamy texture.
For a gluten-free version, ensure that you use a gluten-free flour blend for the crust, as the rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free due to the use of almond meal. You can also make this tart dairy-free by swapping the butter for a plant-based alternative, like coconut oil or a dairy-free butter substitute.
If you love a stronger raspberry flavor, you could incorporate a raspberry purée into the filling itself or fold in a few more fresh raspberries for added texture and burst of flavor. Alternatively, you can replace the raspberry jam with another fruit preserve, such as strawberry or apricot, for a different flavor profile. This versatility makes the Raspberry Almond Tart adaptable to a wide range of preferences and occasions.
Serving and Storing the Raspberry Almond Tart
Once the tart is baked and cooled, it’s time to serve! This Raspberry Almond Tart is best served at room temperature or slightly chilled. The almond filling is smooth and creamy, and the tartness of the raspberries shines through beautifully. For an extra touch of elegance, you can dust the top with powdered sugar just before serving, or even add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
When it comes to storing leftovers, the tart can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. If you want to freeze the tart, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 1 month. Thaw the tart in the fridge overnight before serving.
Conclusion
The Raspberry Almond Tart is a delightful dessert that is perfect for anyone who loves a combination of fruity and nutty flavors. With its buttery, flaky crust, smooth almond filling, and vibrant raspberry topping, this tart is sure to be a hit at any gathering. The best part is that it’s relatively easy to make, even for novice bakers, and the result is a show-stopping dessert that will impress guests and leave everyone asking for the recipe.
Whether you’re serving it at a special celebration or simply enjoying it with a cup of tea, the Raspberry Almond Tart is a dessert that will elevate any occasion. With its balance of sweetness and tartness, rich texture, and stunning appearance, it’s no wonder that this dessert is a timeless favorite among home bakers and pastry chefs alike.
This recipe provides a great opportunity to experiment with flavor combinations and customization, making it adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs. So why not give it a try? You may just find that it becomes your new favorite go-to dessert!