It’s apricot season! So instead of gnawing on those leathery dried wannabes in the raisin aisle, we can actually sink our teeth into the real deal! Apricots on their own are wonderfully tangy and aromatic, but stick them in a pastry shell with some sweet preserves and crunchy almonds and you’ve taken them to an entirely new level. This Apricot Almond Tart is jammy, rubbly and the perfect balance between puckery and sweet. Best of all, it’s so easy — I made two!
My Mom has been making this dessert for years and I’d never gotten a piece! She’d fix it for her friends or for company, but strangely I was never around when this tart made an appearance. Coincidence? I think not! I’m pretty sure she’s been holding out on me knowing that once I tried it, there was no going back. She’s right. I’m doomed!
I made two tarts because my Mom and I were hosting a joint dinner party last weekend. We were having 20 or so people and wisely hired a private chef to make our paella main course while we handled the Sangria, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Mom made two absolutely stellar almond cakes, which I promise to share with you soon. I was debating a few other desserts to make, when she mentioned this one — the one that I’d always heard about, but never tried. Finally – it was my turn! I stocked up on Apricots from Costco and she e-mailed the recipe to me.
I used ready made pie-crusts ’cause you know I hate to make pastry – but if you’ve got a good recipe and technique – have at it. Par bake the crust in a tart pan with a removable bottom. (I used one round and one square). Pulse the almonds a few times in a food processor until you achieve fine crumbs — but not powder.
Blanch the apricots a few at a time in boiling water for just 10-20 seconds. Plunge them into cold water to stop the cooking and use a sharp paring knife to peel away the skins. Slice them in half and discard the pit. Now you’re ready to assemble the tart.
Spread the bottom of the pastry with apricot preserves. If they’re really lumpy or have big chunks of apricot in them, you may want to pulse it in the food processor. ( I used Publix brand and they were the perfect consistency for spreading.)
Then evenly sprinkle the jam with the almonds and arrange the apricots on top in concentric circles for the round pan or rows if you’re using a square or rectangular tart pan.
Sprinkle the apricots with sugar and dot with bits of butter and bake. I could tell from the aroma that it was going to be wonderful — and oh, it was! The apricots are tart and sweet at the same time. The almonds add a satisfying crunch. I could have eaten the whole thing myself, but there was that whole dinner party thing… damn guests. Next time, I’m not sharing.
- 1 9 inch pie crust
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves
- 3/4 cup slivered almonds
- 7-9 apricots
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter cut into small pieces
- special equipment: 9" tart pan with removable bottom
- Preheat the oven to 450°.
- Roll out the pie crust to about 10 1/2-11" and carefully fit it into the tart pan, pressing the bottom and sides firmly. Use a fork to prick the bottom of the pastry so that it doesn't bubble up during the par baking. Place in the hot oven and bake for 10-11 minutes or until lightly browned. (Note, if you're oven has hot spots be sure to rotate the pan so it doesn't get too dark on one side.
- After removing the pastry, reduce the oven temperature to 375°.
- Place the almonds in a mini prep food processor and pulse several times until the almonds are finely chopped, but not ground to powder. Set aside.
- Assemble an ice bath by filling a large bowl with equal part ice and water, set aside. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and add 2-3 apricots, simmer for 20 seconds and transfer immediately to the ice bath to cool. Continue with the rest of the apricots. Peel the apricots with a sharp paring knife, slice in half and remove the pits. Set aside.
- Spread the apricot jam evenly in the bottom of the tart shell. Sprinkle with the almonds and arrange the apricot halves, cut side down over the almonds. Sprinkle evenly with the sugar and dot with bits of butter.
- Bake until apricots are tender about 50 minutes to one hour. Cool on a rack.
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How gorgeous is this!!!
Thank you – it’s truly spectacular!
Lisa, this is an absolutely gorgeous tart. Everything from scratch is the way to go!
Thanks Peter! – I cheated on the pie crust — I suck at pastry — but the rest of it is from scratch!
This is one gorgeous tart. I love that you used apricots.
Glad you like it! — it is quintessential summer!
Oh my!! Absolutely gorgeous tart, and I love the flavor combo here too!!
Thank you Shinee! It’s really wonderful!
Wow, this would be a showstopper for brunch! I’m sure the flavors are amazing and it looks absolutely gorgeous!
Oh – yes, absolutely perfect for brunch! It’s not too heavy, either.
This tart looks so good! I haven’t made a tart in forever, but since apricots are in season (and I love to eat them with everything) I might have to start baking again! 😀
Glad I could provide inspiration, Krysten!
What a beautiful dessert! I don’t even have a tart pan but I think this might motivate me to get one!
Oh – get a tart pan Kathi! They are so versatile! And make this tart, cause it’s just too good not to!
I can NEVER find good apricots around here, but I just got a membership to Costco. I need to stock up like you did, this tart looks wonderful!
Costco will change your life!
Not only is this a beautiful looking dessert…but I’m pretty sure that if I make it, I’d eat the entire thing in under an hour. And that’s alright by me! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
If you eat the whole thing, I won’t tell!
I LOVE the smell of apricots. They take me right back to my grandmother’s kitchen, she always had a bowl of them on the counter and it always smelled like apricots. I just picked some up and have been trying to think of what to do with them, PLUS I am obsessed with tarts and pies, so this looks like the perfect thing to make 🙂
Please let me know how you like it!
This looks gorgeous! I am so focused on peaches (they are growing in my backyard) that I’ve completely overlooked the apricot. I’m adding some of these to my grocery list.
Glad you like it Renee! I’ve added this to my annual “must make” summer dessert list!
This is the best thing I have seen today..loved the recipe. Pinned it.
Thanks Priya! I’ll be making it again soon!
Loved the recipe and the blog! Pictures are awesome, thanks for sharing.
I appreciate you saying so, Kimberly!
I need to try this!!
Yes. Yes, you do!
This looks both delicious and elegant! What a beautiful desert that would be perfect for ANY spread. Your pictures are beautiful as well. Thank you for sharing! Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
I’m loving the apricot and almonds combo! I haven’t had apricots in a long time. I need to try this recipe.
Get some good apricots and let me know how you like it!
This tart looks amazing – so pretty! And almond and apricot are such a classic combination of flavors. I wish I had a slice now.
If you have apricots, it doesn’t take long to make
This tart looks so good!! I love it!!
This looks wonderful! My grandmother used to make apricot tart! Yummy!
Wow. This is so beautiful Lisa! I never really ate many apricots but this would definitely have me tempted.
Oh my word.. this is the most delicious looking thing I’ve seen all day!!! As soon as we get apricots at our farmers markets.. I’m making this!!! (With pre-made pie crust.. I am soooo not a pastry chef!)
That’s the beauty of this tart – you don’t have to be a pastry chef!
This tart is gorgeous! I love how easy it is. When I make this dessert, I’ll have to make two also, so there’s plenty to go around. Perfect for spring entertaining!
Thanks Alyssa! It is great for Spring! Enjoy!
Your photos are so gorgeous! I’m kind of the weirdo who isn’t a huge fan of apricot (I know!) but I love the idea of the tart… do you think it would work with peaches or nectarines?
I don’t see why not – peaches sound perfect to me!
Oh your tart reminds me of my grandmothers tarts which she would make for us all. The tart would be gone in less then 2 minutes and she would make at least 3 of those. Big family! Your tart makes me want to take a bite right now.
To be compared to your grandmother’s is a big compliment! Thank you! I hope you enjoy it Helene!