ALMOND TARTS

Almond Tarts image

Provided by Marian Burros

Categories dessert

Time 2h30m

Yield 2 tarts

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups unbleached flour
16 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons ice water
Few drops almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups sliced almonds, about 6 ounces
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Salt to taste
Few drops almond extract
2 teaspoons Grand Marnier

Steps:

To make two crusts, in a large bowl, combine the sugar and flour.
Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture has the texture of coarse meal.
Using a fork, toss the mixture while adding the water, almond and vanilla extracts. Toss just until the pastry holds together.
Divide the pastry in half and press into two nine-inch tart pans. Chill for one hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Bake the crusts for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack. Press down any crust that puffs up.
To make the filling, in a large bowl, mix all the remaining ingredients. Let stand in a warm place for 20 minutes to dissolve the sugar.
Pour the filling into the prepared crusts and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the tops brown and caramelize. Turn the tarts several times during baking to brown evenly.
Remove from the oven and cool on a rack. Serve at room temperature with whipped cream, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 766, UnsaturatedFat 22 grams, Carbohydrate 71 grams, Fat 51 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 26 grams, Sodium 403 milligrams, Sugar 43 grams, TransFat 1 gram