This rustic Peach Almond Tart is a simple and quick dessert using this season's ripe and juicy peaches. Buttery puff pastry is filled with almond cream and then topped with fresh peaches.
Roll out a sheet of puff pastry into a 14 x 14-inch square. Cut 1-inch strips along each side of the pastry square. Place the strips on top of the rolled-out puff pastry to form a frame. Cover with plastic and return to the refrigerator while making the almond filling and preparing the fresh peaches.
In a small bowl, mix the egg, softened butter, almond flour, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth. Set aside.
Toss the peeled peaches with 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. Toss the peaches and set them aside
Remove the prepared puff pastry and spread the almond cream just inside the pastry frame. Mound the fresh peaches on top of the almond cream.Bake in a pre-heated 425℉ oven for 20 minutes then reduce the temperature to 400℉ and continue to bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and the peaches are beginning to bubble a bit. Remove from oven. Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tip: If using purchased puff pastry, use 2 sheets of puff pastry. Place one sheet on top of the other and roll the pastry out together. The added sheet of puff pastry will create more layers of flakey delicious crust.
I prefer puff pastry that is made with butter because of the flavor and the melt-in-your-mouth feel that butter gives the pastry. But any puff pastry that is available at your local grocer will work great for this recipe. I made my own rough puff pastry using Erin McDowell's recipe from her book "The Book On Pie". (This link will take you to Erin's YouTube video with step-by-step instructions for this easy rough puff)
The key to any puff pastry is to keep it cold!
To peel or not to peel? That's completely up to you. I love the added color the peel gives the peaches as they bake. However, I don't love eating peach peel on my baked goods. So I always peel, but you don't have to. It is an added time-consuming step. You choose!