Almond Tart

Ingredients

Pastry

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into bits
• 1 tablespoon water, with
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract

Filling

• 1 cup sliced blanched almond
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup cream
• 1 teaspoon orange-flavored liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   For pastry: Blend flour, sugar and butter until it resembles coarse meal.

2. 2

   Add water with vanilla and almond extract and form dough into a ball.

3. 3

   Press dough into a 9 inch flan/tart pan and chill for 1 hour.

4. 4

   Preheat oven to 390°F.

5. 5

   Line with wax paper or foil and fill with pie weights or beans.

6. 6

   Bake pastry in lower third of preheated oven for 7 minutes.

7. 7

   Remove pie weights and paper and bake 3 minutes longer, or until golden.

8. 8

   Let cool.

9. 9

   For filling: Combine well almonds, sugar, cream, liqueur, almond extract and salt; let stand 15 minutes.

10. 10

    Pour into pastry shell and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until top is browned and caramelized.

11. 11

    Let cool before serving.

12. 12

    Serve with whipped cream, if you wish.