Almond Pear Tart

 

This is a new favorite for us.  We had it for Easter brunch and Mother's Day brunch. It was perfect for both.

Almond Pear Tart

serves at least 8 

 

1 pie crust (we like Smitten's all butter flaky but store bought is ok too) 

 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 large egg
1 tsp almond extract
1 cup almond flour
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
2 medium pears, sliced thinly

 
2 Tbsp powdered sugar for dusting on top of the finished tart, optional

Preheat oven to 375F.  Roll out your tart dough into an 11 inch circle about 1/4 inch thick, and fit it into a  10-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Set the crust in the fridge or freezer while you make the filling. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or with electric beaters or even your food processor), cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the salt, egg, and almond extract and mix well to combine. Add the almond flour and the all purpose flour and mix until combined. Spread the almond mixture evenly into the bottom of your pie shell. Add the sliced pears on top of the almond filling, arranging them any way you like. Place tart pan on a cookie sheet (just in case). Bake for about 35 minutes. The filling should be puffed up and golden brown. Tent with foil if it's browning too quickly.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar.

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Almond Bars

 We love almond anything.  That rich almond flavor that reminds you of maraschino cherries is just so irresistible.  These bars are perfect for satisfying even the most serious of almond cravings... and they are super easy too.

Almond Bars

(makes an 8x8 pan)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
big pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup cold, unsalted butter, diced (this is one stick plus a half stick)
8 oz almond paste (not almond pastry filling, make your own from King Arthur)

If you make your own almond paste, dont bother to clean the food processor completely after you are finished.

Preheat the oven to 350, and line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper to create a paper hammock of sorts.

In a bowl (or your food processor), combine the flour, sugar, salt, and vanilla.

Add the butter and mix until crumbly (dont over mix)

Put the crumbs into the prepared pan (reserving 1 cup of the crumbs for the topping), and press firmly against the bottom of the pan.

Crumble the almond paste with your hands over the crust. Sprinkle the reserved 1 cup of crumbs over the almond paste.

Bake the almond bars on the center oven rack for about 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.

Set the pan on a cooling rack and cool completely before lifting the bars out by the parchment paper and cutting into bars or rush the process and remove from the pan so it can cool faster.