Treat guests over for Christmas to this frangipane, fig and orange tart. It's delicious at the end of a family feast, or simply served for afternoon tea
Instructions
1
Tip the flour, butter and a pinch of salt into a food processor, and pulse the mixture a few times until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and orange zest and pulse again. Add the vanilla, egg yolk and 1 tbsp cold water, then pulse until the mixture just comes together into a dough. Press the dough into a ball with your hands, then roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it’s large enough to line a 22cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Use it to line the tin, pressing it into the sides, then prick the base all over with a fork and chill for 30 mins.
2
Meanwhile, prepare the frangipane. Put the butter in a medium bowl and beat with an electric whisk until creamy, then add the sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the almonds and flour.
3
Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and put a baking tray in the oven to heat up. Spoon the frangipane into the chilled pastry case and smooth the top using the back of a spoon. Arrange the figs, cut-side up, in a circle pattern, pushing them down gently into the frangipane.
4
Carefully transfer the tart to the hot baking tray in the oven, and bake for 1 hr-1 hr 10 mins (cover with foil after 40 mins if it’s browning too quickly), or until the figs are tender and a skewer inserted into the frangipane comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin.
5
While the tart cools, make the glaze. Mix the orange zest and juice, the sugar and 1 tbsp water together in a small pan, bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5-10 mins until syrupy. Remove the tart from the case, transfer to a plate, and brush with the glaze.
