Kalamazoo-Inspired Cherry and Almond Tart
A delicate tart featuring a buttery crust filled with almond frangipane and topped with fresh Michigan cherries for a perfect balance of nutty and fruity flavors. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, cold and cubed, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp cold water
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 1/2 cups Kalamazoo cherries, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- for dusting powdered sugar (optional)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a food processor, pulse 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 8 tbsp cold unsalted butter, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 3 tbsp cold water and pulse until dough starts to come together. Form into disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out chilled dough on floured surface to fit a 9-inch tart pan. Press dough into pan evenly and trim edges.
- Step 3: In a bowl, beat 6 tbsp softened unsalted butter with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until creamy. Mix in 1 large egg and 1 tsp almond extract until smooth, then fold in 3/4 cup almond flour.
- Step 4: Spread almond filling evenly into tart shell. Arrange 1 1/2 cups pitted and halved Kalamazoo cherries on top, cut side up. Sprinkle 1/4 cup sliced almonds over the cherries.
- Step 5: Bake tart for 40-45 minutes until filling is set and crust is golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Step 6: Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kalamazoo-Inspired Cherry and Almond Tart take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Kalamazoo-Inspired Cherry and Almond Tart?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Kalamazoo-Inspired Cherry and Almond Tart?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Kalamazoo-Inspired Cherry and Almond Tart for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Kalamazoo-Inspired Cherry and Almond Tart?
French desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
