Peach Frangipane Tart: A Dreamy Blend of Summer Fruit and Almond Cream

Peach season brings with it a bounty of golden fruit bursting with sweet, juicy flavor. While many enjoy fresh peaches on their own, baking them into desserts enhances their richness and depth. One particularly elegant dessert that highlights the peach’s natural beauty is the Peach Frangipane Tart. This tart marries the delicate almond cream known as frangipane with luscious, ripe peaches in a flaky crust—creating a dessert that’s as impressive in flavor as it is in appearance.

If you’re looking for a refined yet approachable dessert that captures the essence of summer, this Frangipane Tart Recipe is your answer. In this article, we’ll explore the history of frangipane, walk through how to make a Peach Frangipane Tart, and discover how variations such as Frangipane Bars ou un Peach Custard Pie compare. Let’s dig into this luscious world of peach baking et find the perfect tart flavors to wow your guests—or just treat yourself.

What is Frangipane?

Before diving into the recipe, let’s understand what frangipane is. Frangipane is a creamy filling made from ground almonds, sugar, butter, and eggs. It’s commonly used in tarts, galettes, and other French-inspired pastries. Its smooth texture and nutty taste pair beautifully with fruits like apples, cherries, and of course, peaches.

Though sometimes confused with marzipan, frangipane is softer and less sweet. Its origins date back to Italy and France, where it became a staple in traditional patisserie. The classic Frangipane Recipe serves as the base for many desserts, and when paired with peaches, it elevates the flavor profile with a balance of richness and brightness.

Why Choose a Peach Frangipane Tart?

There are many options when it comes to peach baking, from cobblers to crisps. However, a Peach Frangipane Tart offers a unique blend of elegance and taste. Here’s why:

1. Visual Appeal: The golden slices of peach arranged atop the almond filling create a stunning presentation.
2. Flavor Harmony: The buttery crust, nutty frangipane, and juicy peaches create a delightful symphony of taste.
3. Texture Contrast: From the flaky crust to the creamy filling and tender fruit, each bite offers layers of texture.
4. Polyvalence: This tart can be made with fresh, frozen, or even canned peaches, depending on what’s available.

Whether you’re serving it at a dinner party, afternoon tea, or simply enjoying a slice with your morning coffee, this tart delivers on all fronts.

Peach Frangipane Tart Recipe

Let’s walk through how to make this show-stopping dessert from scratch.

Ingrédients

For the Tart Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 egg yolk
• 2-3 tbsp cold water

For the Frangipane Filling:

• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (100g) almond flour (finely ground almonds)
• 2 gros œufs
• 1 c. à thé d'extrait de vanille
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour

For the Peach Topping:

• 3–4 ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
• 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp apricot jam (for glazing)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Tart Crust

1. In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Add cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add egg yolk and pulse a few times.
4. Gradually add cold water until the dough comes together.
5. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Blind Bake the Crust

1. Roll out chilled dough and fit it into a 9-inch tart pan.
2. Prick the bottom with a fork.
3. Line with parchment and fill with pie weights or dried beans.
4. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes. Remove weights and bake for another 5-7 minutes.
5. Let cool slightly before adding filling.

Step 3: Make the Frangipane Filling

1. Beat the softened butter and sugar until creamy.
2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well.
3. Mix in almond flour, all-purpose flour, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Spread the frangipane evenly over the cooled crust.

Step 4: Add the Peaches

1. Toss peach slices with lemon juice (and sugar if desired).
2. Arrange slices in a circular pattern over the frangipane.
3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–45 minutes, or until the frangipane is set and lightly golden.

Step 5: Glaze and Serve

1. Heat apricot jam with 1 tsp water until smooth.
2. Brush over the warm tart to give it a glossy finish.
3. Cool before slicing.

Flavor Variations and Tart Flavors

The beauty of this Peach Tart Recipe lies in its flexibility. While peaches shine here, other fruits can be just as delightful:

• Plums: A bit more tart, they create a lovely contrast with the sweet frangipane.
• Cherries: Their rich color and flavor add depth.
• Nectarines or Apricots: Close relatives of peaches, they bring a similar sweetness with a slightly firmer texture.

For more adventurous tart flavors, try adding:

• Almond extract: Boosts the nutty profile of the frangipane.
• Cardamom or Cinnamon: Adds warm spice notes.
• Lemon zest: Brings freshness and brightness.

Other Frangipane Desserts to Explore

If you fall in love with this dessert (and you probably will), consider exploring other treats that use the versatile frangipane filling.

Frangipane Bars

Frangipane Bars are a great handheld variation of the tart. Made in a rectangular pan and sliced into squares, they’re ideal for potlucks or picnics. You can use the same almond cream base and top it with peach slices or jam for a simplified version of the tart.

You can even layer them with multiple fruits—berries, figs, or poached pears—and finish with a crumble topping for added texture. Frangipane Bars are highly adaptable and travel well, making them perfect for bake sales and brunch spreads.

Peach Custard Pie vs. Peach Frangipane Tart

While both desserts celebrate the peach, a Peach Custard Pie is softer and more pudding-like. It uses an egg and milk-based custard instead of frangipane. The texture is more silky than nutty. If you’re looking for something richer and more textured, the frangipane tart is the better choice.

The custard pie often includes a traditional pie crust and benefits from a cooling period to set properly. Spices like nutmeg and cinnamon often accompany the custard, creating a warm, nostalgic flavor. Still, it lacks the almond complexity that frangipane provides.

Frangipani Pie Recipe

Though often confused due to the name, a Frangipani Pie Recipe is a Southern American dessert, typically made with a custard base and coconut, and bears no relation to frangipane. It’s important to differentiate between the two—one is European almond cream, the other is a completely different style of pie.

Frangipani Pie usually includes sweetened condensed milk, shredded coconut, and sometimes meringue. Its rich, tropical profile contrasts with the nutty sophistication of a Frangipane Tart.

Baking Tips for the Perfect Peach Frangipane Tart

• Use ripe but firm peaches: Overripe fruit may become mushy during baking.
• Don’t skip blind baking: This keeps the crust crisp under the moist frangipane.
• Let it rest: Allow the tart to cool before slicing to help the filling set.
• Serve with whipped cream or crème fraîche for added indulgence.

Bonus tip: Chill the tart slightly before serving. It enhances the almond flavor and makes for cleaner slices.

Make Ahead and Storage

• Prenez de l'avance: The tart dough and frangipane filling can be prepared a day in advance.
• De stockage: The tart keeps well at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refrigerate for longer storage and gently reheat if desired.
• La congélation: While best fresh, the baked tart can be frozen for up to a month.

When freezing, wrap the tart tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in a low oven before serving.

Pairing and Presentation Ideas

This elegant tart pairs beautifully with:

• A glass of dessert wine like Muscat or Sauternes.
• Hot beverages like Earl Grey tea or espresso.
• A scoop of vanilla or almond ice cream.

Garnish with toasted almond slices, a dusting of powdered sugar, or fresh mint leaves to elevate presentation.

For a rustic look, bake the tart in a free-form galette style. Or use mini tart pans for individual servings, perfect for dinner parties.

Conclusion: The Elegance of Peach Frangipane

L' Peach Frangipane Tart is more than just a dessert—it’s a celebration of summer’s finest fruit and classic French technique. With a balance of textures and flavors, it transforms simple ingredients into an exquisite creation.

Whether you’re exploring different tart flavors, trying your hand at Frangipane Bars, or seeking alternatives like a Peach Custard Pie, the core frangipane recipe is your gateway to endless dessert possibilities.

So the next time you’re inspired by a basket of ripe peaches, remember this Frangipane Tart Recipe. It’s a dish that never fails to impress—and might just become your signature summer dessert.