The Apple Frangipane Tart is a dessert of French origin that's delightful in appearance and delectable in taste. It has a crisp and light sweet tart crust filled with almond custard, topped with thinly sliced apples, and then glazed for a perfect finish.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Named after a 16th-century nobleman known for producing a perfume that smelled like bitter almonds, frangipane is used in many popular desserts. The Bakewell Tart and the Galette de Rois are two of the most famous. If you like tarts and French desserts, try my classic baked lemon tart or my creme anglaise. For another delicious apple dessert option, try my apple galette recipe.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this apple frangipane tart
- Make-ahead dessert - This tart recipe's shelf life makes it a great dessert option for special occasions. You can make it a few days ahead of time and store it on the counter or in the fridge.
- Various serving options - The tart can be served warm or cold, making it a perfect dessert for a summer or winter party.
- Versatile dessert - Different combinations of fruits and nuts can transform this into a whole new dessert every time.
- Beautiful presentation - the dessert will wow your guests and make an attractive centerpiece at any dessert table.
Ingredient notes
- Almonds - I like to use homemade almond meal for this recipe. It gives the frangipane tart more flavor. The slivered almonds are used as a topping at the end.
- Eggs - Combining whole eggs and egg yolks perfectly balances the frangipane custard. The yolks make the filling rich and creamy, while the whites help provide the necessary structure and prevent it from getting too dense.
- Sugar - Regular granulated sugar is used for the filling, and a dusting of powdered sugar is used to finish the tart at the end.
- Butter - Unsalted Kerrygold butter is best for this tart.
- Apples - I like tart granny smith apples for this recipe.
- Jam - I often use whatever jam I have to create the glaze. Fig, orange, and lemon are a few favorites.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and recipe instructions.
Substitutions & variations
- Make a low-carb version - Bake a crustless version of the frangipane, topped with your favorite fruit in small cups or a muffin tin.
- Try an alternative presentation - You can present your tart any way you want. Make it a traditional rose tart, or layer the apples in a different design.
- Use a different type of apple - For a change in flavor, try this recipe with Gala or Honeycrisp apples.
- Try the tart with different nuts - Change it up and use hazelnuts, pistachios, or walnuts to make the custard.
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the sweet tart crust, line it with parchment and pie weights, and par-bake it in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Then follow the below steps to prepare the filling and finish the apple frangipane tart.
First step - Cream the butter and sugar. Add the almonds, sugar, essence, and eggs, and blend well using a stand mixer.
Second step - Dust the bottom of your par-baked crust with 2 tablespoons of almond meal. This will prevent it from getting soggy.
Third step - Pour in the prepared almond custard, layer with thinly sliced apples in a pattern of your choice, and bake as per instructions.
Fourth step - Remove the tart from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before adding the glaze. Top with the slivered almonds, wait until the tart is completely cool, and add the powdered sugar.
Tips for making the best apple frangipane tart
- Add egg wash to the crust edges - This helps create a seal for the crust and adds a nice golden-brown glossy finish.
- Bake at moderate heat - It's best to bake the tart at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook it for longer. This allows the custard to bake fully without the surface getting too brown.
- Cool before you glaze and add toppings - The tart must be cooled to room temperature before adding the glaze, almonds, and powdered sugar.
- Grind the almonds at home - I've tested this recipe using store-bought and homemade almond meals and highly recommend taking the extra 5 minutes to make your own.
- Cut the apples 1/16 inch thick - For the best texture and presentation, slice the apples very thin.
Recipe FAQS
Frangipane is a custard filling made with almonds, while marzipan is an almond-flavored icing dough. The flavors are similar, but the textures are different.
For the custard filling to be creamy, the ingredients must be at room temperature and incorporated in a specific order. Always cream the butter and sugar first, followed by the almond meal, essence, and eggs.
To freeze the tart, first, blind-bake the crust and then freeze it. Once it's frozen and can't get soggy, pour the filling in and freeze it. Thaw in your fridge overnight, add fruit, and bake per the instructions below.
You can store the tart at room temperature for 2-3 days, refrigerate it for up to a week, and freeze it for up to 3 months.
Other recipes you may like
If you decide to try this recipe, Please don't forget to leave a rating and comment below! If you take a picture, tag me on Instagram! Thank You!
Apple Frangipane Tart
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup almond meal (see notes)
- 2 tablespoon almond meal
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 granny smith apples (see notes)
- 2 tablespoon slivered almonds
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
The Glaze
- 2 tablespoon jam (see notes)
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Blind-bake the tart crust with weights for 15 minutes. (see notes)
- Cream the butter and sugar using an electric mixer.
- Add the almond meal and flour and mix well.
- Add the vanilla and almond essence, along with the whole eggs and egg yolks, and mix till you have a smooth batter.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of almond meal on the crust to ensure it will not get soggy. (see notes)
- Pour the prepared almond custard into the crust.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/16-inch thin slices. Arrange them in circles, starting from the outside and working your way into the center.
- Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 40-45 minutes, until the custard puffs up and the top is a golden brown.
The Glaze
- Prepare the glaze by heating all the ingredients in a small saucepan until you have a thick, syrupy consistency. (see notes)
- Once the tart has cooled, glaze it, sprinkle with the almonds, and then sprinkle with the powdered sugar.
Leave a Reply