French Fig Tart Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare the crust: In a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sea salt on medium speed for about 1 minute. Scrape down sides of bowl and paddle with a rubber spatula and add confectioners' sugar. Combine with butter at low speed. Once incorporated, scrape down bowl and paddle. Add almond flour and vanilla extract and combine at low speed.
• Gradually add egg and a quarter of the flour (scant 1/2 cup or 55 grams). Beat at low speed until just incorporated. Scrape down bowl and paddle. Gradually add remaining flour and mix just until dough comes together, stopping from time to time to scrape in any mixture adhering to sides and bottom of bowl. Do not overbeat. Dough should be soft to the touch.
• Separate dough into two equal portions. Gently press each portion into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle. Double-wrap airtight in plastic wrap. Refrigerate one dough portion for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight; chill or freeze the second portion for another use.
• Very lightly butter a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. (You should not be able to see the butter.) On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 10 1/2-inch circle, 1/4 inch thick. Dust work surface and dough often, and work quickly so dough remains cold. Gently roll dough over lightly dusted rolling pin and transfer to pan, gently easing it in and trimming the top edge. Chill uncovered for at least 1 hour, preferably longer.
• Prepare the tart: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Sift together almond flour, confectioners' sugar, cornstarch and flour into a medium bowl.
• Place butter, salt and vanilla and almond extracts in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle and beat 1 minute at medium speed. Scrape down bowl and paddle, and add almond flour mixture. Beat at medium speed for 1 minute, until incorporated. Stop, scrape down bowl and paddle, then turn on machine and gradually add egg. Add rum and beat at medium speed until egg and rum are incorporated.
• Remove tart shell from refrigerator and place on a baking sheet. Using a fork, pierce rows across surface of crust, about 1 inch apart. Scrape almond cream onto crust and, using a small offset or rubber spatula, spread evenly over crust.
• Place in oven and bake 40 minutes, until crust and almond cream are golden brown and the tip of a knife comes out clean when inserted into cream. Remove from oven and let cool for 40 minutes on a rack.
• Using a small spatula, spread fig jam over surface of tart in an even layer.
• Remove stems from figs. Cut small and medium figs into quarters, large figs into sixths or eights. Arrange in concentric circles, starting with the rim, with the stem end down. Slices should angle upwards. If not serving right away, refrigerate. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375*F.
• Cut 6 figs into 3/4" slices, set aside.
• In food processor, process nuts until fine.
• Sift flour and 1/2 cup sugar together.
• Add nuts, and pulse to combine.
• Add egg white, egg, butter, brandy(or apple cider), and lemon zest. Combine.
• Add batter to figs and mix thoroughly.
• Spray four 3 3/4" tart pans with nonstick spray.
• Divide batter evenly among pans.
• Cut remaining figs lengthwise into 5 or 6 slices each.
• Arrange slices over each tart.
• Place tart pans on a baking sheet.
• Bake until tarts are set and golden brown, about 40 minutes.
• Remove and cool.
• Sprinkle with sugar.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Tip the flour, butter and a pinch of salt into a food processor, and pulse the mixture a few times until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and orange zest and pulse again. Add the vanilla, egg yolk and 1 tbsp cold water, then pulse until the mixture just comes together into a dough. Press the dough into a ball with your hands, then roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it's large enough to line a 22cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Use it to line the tin, pressing it into the sides, then prick the base all over with a fork and chill for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, prepare the frangipane. Put the butter in a medium bowl and beat with an electric whisk until creamy, then add the sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the almonds and flour.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and put a baking tray in the oven to heat up. Spoon the frangipane into the chilled pastry case and smooth the top using the back of a spoon. Arrange the figs, cut-side up, in a circle pattern, pushing them down gently into the frangipane.
• Carefully transfer the tart to the hot baking tray in the oven, and bake for 1 hr-1 hr 10 mins (cover with foil after 40 mins if it's browning too quickly), or until the figs are tender and a skewer inserted into the frangipane comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin.
• While the tart cools, make the glaze. Mix the orange zest and juice, the sugar and 1 tbsp water together in a small pan, bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5-10 mins until syrupy. Remove the tart from the case, transfer to a plate, and brush with the glaze.