Looking for a show-stopping dessert to impress your family and friends? This easy homemade tart features a delicious frangipane filling and sweet rhubarb on a buttery crust, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner treat, save for later and make it tonight

Rustic Rhubarb Frangipane Tart – Beautiful and Delicious

Introduction

The combination of rhubarb and frangipane in a tart is a match made in heaven, offering a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors that will impress your friends and family. This rustic tart is not only beautiful but also incredibly delicious, making it perfect for any occasion, from a casual dinner party to a special celebration. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make, using everyday ingredients that you might already have in your pantry. With its flaky pastry crust, rich frangipane filling, and tender rhubarb topping, this tart is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Why This Works

• Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of rhubarb, frangipane, and pastry provides a perfect balance of flavors and textures, and the ingredients are easily accessible at most supermarkets.
• Ease of preparation: Despite its impressive appearance, this tart is relatively easy to prepare, requiring only a few ingredients and some basic kitchen equipment.
• Impressive results with minimal effort: The rustic nature of the tart means that it’s forgiving if you’re not a perfect pastry chef, and the end result is sure to impress your guests with its beautiful presentation and delicious flavors.

Key Ingredients

The key ingredients in this recipe include fresh rhubarb, ground almonds, confectioners’ sugar, unsalted butter, eggs, and all-purpose flour. You’ll also need some salt and vanilla extract to enhance the flavors. For the pastry crust, you can use a store-bought puff pastry or make your own using flour, butter, and water. If you can’t find fresh rhubarb, you can substitute it with frozen or canned rhubarb, although the flavor and texture might be slightly different. Similarly, you can replace the ground almonds with other nuts like hazelnuts or walnuts if you prefer.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Transfer the pastry to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and trim the edges to fit.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the ground almonds, confectioners’ sugar, and salt. Add the unsalted butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to work it into the almond mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Step 3: Spread the frangipane mixture evenly over the pastry crust, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Arrange the fresh rhubarb on top of the frangipane in a decorative pattern, leaving some space between each piece to allow for even cooking.
4. Step 4: Fold the edges of the pastry crust up over the rhubarb, pressing gently to seal. Brush the pastry with a little bit of milk or beaten egg for a golden glaze. Bake the tart for 40-50 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the rhubarb is tender. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before serving.

Handy Tips

• Make sure to chill the pastry crust in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent it from shrinking in the oven.
• Don’t overmix the frangipane mixture, as this can cause it to become tough and dense.
• Use a variety of rhubarb that’s sweet and tender, such as ‘Crimson Wine’ or ‘Canada Red’, for the best flavor and texture.

Heat Control

To achieve the perfect golden brown pastry crust, it’s essential to control the heat in your oven. Bake the tart at 375°F (190°C) for the first 20-25 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F (180°C) for the remaining 15-20 minutes. This will help the pastry cook evenly and prevent it from burning. Keep an eye on the tart during the baking time, as the cooking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your tart.

Crunch Factor

The crunch factor in this tart comes from the flaky pastry crust and the tender rhubarb topping. To achieve the perfect crunch, make sure to bake the pastry crust until it’s golden brown and crispy, and don’t overcook the rhubarb, as this can cause it to become soft and mushy. You can also add some chopped nuts or seeds to the frangipane mixture for extra crunch and texture.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

• Use a pastry brush to apply a little bit of water to the edges of the pastry crust before folding them up over the rhubarb. This will help the pastry stick together and create a neat, tidy edge.
• Don’t be afraid to get creative with your rhubarb topping. You can arrange the rhubarb in a decorative pattern, such as a spiral or a lattice, or simply scatter it evenly over the frangipane mixture.
• To make the tart more impressive, you can add some fresh flowers or herbs to the top of the tart before serving. Edible flowers like violas or pansies work well, as do fresh herbs like mint or rosemary.

Storage Tips

• The tart can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 months.
• To reheat the tart, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake it in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry is crispy and the filling is warm.
• It’s best to store the tart in an airtight container, such as a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, to keep it fresh and prevent it from drying out.

Gift Packaging Ideas

This tart is perfect for gifting to friends and family, especially during the spring and summer months when rhubarb is in season. To package the tart, simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in a decorative tin or box. You can also add some fresh flowers or herbs to the top of the tart for a beautiful and fragrant presentation. Consider adding a gift tag or card with a personal message, such as a recipe or a note about the ingredients and baking time.

Flavor Variations

• 🌟 Different spices: Try adding some ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the frangipane mixture for a unique and aromatic flavor.
• 🌟 Creative toppings: Instead of using rhubarb, try using other fruits like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. You can also add some chopped nuts or seeds to the frangipane mixture for extra crunch and texture.
• 🌟 Ingredient swaps: Replace the ground almonds with other nuts like hazelnuts or walnuts, or use a different type of sugar like brown sugar or honey. You can also use a different type of pastry crust, such as a gluten-free crust or a crust made with coconut oil.

Troubleshooting

• Texture problems: If the pastry crust is too dense or tough, try adding a little bit more water to the dough. If the frangipane mixture is too thick, try adding a little bit more egg or butter.
• Ingredient replacements: If you can’t find fresh rhubarb, try using frozen or canned rhubarb. If you don’t have ground almonds, try using other nuts like hazelnuts or walnuts.
• Over/undercooking signs: If the pastry crust is too brown or crispy, it may be overcooked. If the rhubarb is too soft or mushy, it may be overcooked. Keep an eye on the tart during the baking time and adjust the cooking time as needed.

FAQs

• Can I freeze it? Yes, the tart can be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Is it gluten-free? No, the tart is not gluten-free, as it contains wheat flour in the pastry crust. However, you can try using a gluten-free flour blend to make a gluten-free crust.
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can double the recipe to make a larger tart. Simply multiply the ingredients and adjust the baking time as needed.

Conclusion

This rustic rhubarb frangipane tart is a delicious and impressive dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With its flaky pastry crust, rich frangipane filling, and tender rhubarb topping, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the recipe and try out different flavor variations and ingredient swaps. And remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process of baking and sharing this beautiful and delicious tart with your friends and family.