Apple And Almond Custard Tart Recipes

Steps:

• Make crust: In a small bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder; set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and almond extract; beat until combined. With mixer on low, add flour mixture; mix just until combined.
• Using an offset spatula or table knife, spread dough in a 9-inch removable bottom tart pan, evenly covering bottom and sides. Freeze for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees, and make filling: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 1/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and lemon zest; mix until combined. With mixer on low, add flour and then cream; mix just until smooth (do not overmix). Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, toss apple with lemon juice; arrange evenly in tart pan over chilled dough. Spread filling over apple; sprinkle with almonds and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Place tart pan on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until golden and set, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 6. Roll the pastry on a lightly floured surface until just thicker than a £1 coin. Use to line a 23cm deep tart tin, allowing the spare pastry to hang over the edges. Line the tart with greaseproof paper and baking beans, then bake for 15 min until golden around the edges. Remove the beans and continue to cook for 5 mins until the base in golden brown. Remove the tart from the oven and leave to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 160C/ fan 14C/gas 3.
• Meanwhile, tip the sugar into a large frying pan over a high heat. Cook the sugar until it dissolves, bubbles and caramelises. Carefully tip the apple wedges into the caramel and toss until coated. Splash in the brandy, if using, then cook the apples for 2-3 mins until just starting soften and the caramel has dissolved in the apple juices.
• Turn off the heat and remove the apples to a bowl. Pour the cream into the pan then, holding a sieve over the pan, strain in any juices from the apples. Gradually whisk the caramel sauce into the beaten yolks. Arrange the apples over the base of the tart, pour over the custard, then bake for 40 mins until the custard is just set. Leave the tart to cool, then use a knife to cut away the spare pastry and neaten the edges.

Steps:

• First, make the pastry. Using a free-standing mixer fitted with a beater attachment (or an electric hand whisk and large bowl), mix the butter and sugar until smooth and pale. Reduce the speed, slowly add the flour, then just before it's fully combined, add the egg yolk and mix briefly until smooth (if the pastry is dry add 1 tsp cold water). Remove the pastry from the bowl, wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge overnight, or for at least 1 hr.
• For the frangipane, cream the butter and icing sugar in a freestanding mixer or with an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs one at a time, then fold in the almonds and calvados and beat for 3 mins more. Chill until needed.
• Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3. Roll out the pastry on a well-floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Gently press the pastry into either a 23cm tart ring on a baking sheet or a 23cm fluted tart tin (the pastry may crack - patch up any holes with leftover pastry). Trim the edges neatly, then chill in the fridge for 20 mins.
• Stand the tart tin (if using) on a baking sheet, then spoon in the frangipane and smooth with the back of the spoon, leaving a 0.5cm gap at the top. Peel and core the apples, then cut into 4mm slices using a mandolin or knife across the width of the apple so there's a hole in the middle of each slice. Arrange the apples on top of the frangipane. Sieve a good layer of icing sugar on top, then bake for 1 hr-1 hr 15 mins or until the apples are caramelised and the frangipane is cooked (use a skewer to check). Leave to cool for 30 mins before serving.
• Next make the Chantilly. Whip the double cream and icing sugar to soft peaks, then add the Calvados and vanilla seeds, and whisk again until the mixture holds its shape. Chill in the fridge until you are ready to serve with the tart.