Cherry Almond Tart – A Rustic Dessert with Elegant Flavor

In the world of refined desserts, few can rival the charm and balance of a cherry almond tart. With its buttery, crisp crust, fragrant almond filling, and vibrant cherry topping, this dessert strikes a beautiful harmony between rustic comfort and sophisticated flair. It’s the kind of tart that wouldn’t look out of place at a countryside brunch or the final course of a refined dinner party. It’s simple, but each bite carries a depth of flavor that speaks to quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation.

This tart brings together two ingredients that were made for each other: tart-sweet cherries and nutty, slightly floral almonds. The combination is timeless, especially popular in European pastry, particularly French and Italian traditions. The almond base—often a frangipane made with ground almonds, butter, and eggs—serves as a rich, velvety cushion for the juicy cherries, while the crisp pastry shell anchors it all together.

Let’s explore the full flavor story of this showstopping tart and guide you through crafting it at home, step-by-step.

Why You’ll Love This Cherry Almond Tart

Naturally Elegant – It’s visually stunning with minimal effort. The deep red cherries nestled in golden almond filling create a striking presentation.
Flavor Balance – Sweet, nutty, and tart flavors are beautifully balanced in every bite.
Seasonal and Adaptable – Make it with fresh cherries in summer or frozen/preserved ones year-round.
Make-Ahead Friendly – The tart can be made in advance, making it ideal for entertaining.

The Components of a Perfect Cherry Almond Tart

There are three key layers that make up this dessert:

The Crust: Buttery and crisp, often a pâte sucrée or shortcrust pastry. It needs to be strong enough to hold the filling but tender enough to melt in your mouth.
The Almond Filling: A creamy, custard-like layer made from ground almonds (almond flour), butter, sugar, and eggs. This frangipane filling bakes into a rich yet light texture that complements the fruit perfectly.
The Cherries: Fresh or frozen, sweet or tart – cherries bring a juicy brightness that cuts through the richness of the almond layer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Tart Crust:

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 egg yolk
2–3 tbsp cold water
Pinch of salt

For the Almond Filling (Frangipane):

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
1 cup almond flour
2 large eggs
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for added structure)

For the Cherry Topping:

2 cups pitted fresh cherries (or thawed frozen cherries, drained)
1–2 tbsp sugar (optional, depending on cherry sweetness)
1 tsp lemon juice
Slivered almonds for garnish (optional)

Making the Tart – Step by Step

1. Prepare the Crust
In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and cut them in using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the egg yolk and cold water gradually until the dough just comes together. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and press it into a 9-inch tart pan. Trim the edges and chill again while preparing the filling.

2. Make the Almond Filling
In a bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the almond flour, all-purpose flour (if using), almond extract, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Spread the almond filling evenly over the chilled crust.

3. Add the Cherries
Toss the cherries with sugar and lemon juice if they need a touch of sweetness or brightness.
Scatter them evenly over the almond filling, pressing some slightly into the frangipane and leaving others on top for visual appeal.
Sprinkle with a few slivered almonds for texture and a rustic look.

4. Bake the Tart
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the tart for 35–45 minutes, or until the almond filling is golden and puffed, and the crust is lightly browned.
Allow to cool in the tart pan for 15–20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures the filling sets properly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Add a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche for a luxurious finish.
Dust with powdered sugar for a classic touch.
Drizzle with a cherry glaze or reduced cherry syrup for extra indulgence.

Expert Tips for Success

Use Quality Almond Flour: Blanched almond flour gives the smoothest texture and best flavor.
Don’t Overwork the Crust: Handle the dough gently to ensure a tender texture.
Blind Baking (Optional): For a crisper bottom, partially blind bake the crust before adding filling.
Let It Cool Fully: Frangipane sets as it cools, so be patient before slicing.
Flavor Enhancements: Try adding orange zest to the filling or a touch of kirsch or amaretto to the cherries for an adult twist.

Choosing the Right Cherries

Fresh Cherries: Use sweet varieties like Bing for a rich, syrupy flavor, or tart cherries for contrast.
Frozen Cherries: Make sure to thaw and drain well to prevent sogginess.
Preserved Cherries: Jarred morello cherries or amarena cherries can add complexity and sweetness.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This tart stores beautifully and can even be made in stages.

Make-Ahead Dough: The tart crust dough can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge or frozen for longer.
Fully Baked Tart: Store covered at room temperature for a day or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: The fully baked tart can be frozen. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil and thaw overnight in the fridge.

Variations You’ll Want to Try

Cherry Pistachio Tart: Substitute part of the almond flour with ground pistachios for a rich, nutty variation.
Mixed Berry Almond Tart: Swap out cherries for a medley of berries—blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries pair beautifully with almond.
Chocolate Cherry Almond Tart: Add a thin layer of dark chocolate ganache to the crust before adding almond filling for a decadent twist.
Mini Tartlets: Use a mini tart pan or muffin tin to create individual servings perfect for parties.

Cherry Almond Tart – A Dessert That Feels Like Art

There’s something deeply satisfying about baking a dessert that not only tastes exquisite but looks like it belongs in a bakery window. The cherry almond tart delivers both. Its flavor is classic, its texture luxurious, and its presentation stunning with minimal fuss.

This tart is for those moments when you want to impress without feeling overwhelmed. It’s ideal for special occasions, yet simple enough to make on a quiet weekend when you’re craving something special. Every element — from the crisp pastry to the velvety almond base and juicy fruit — works together to create a slice of dessert perfection.

Whether you’re serving it with coffee after dinner, bringing it to a gathering, or simply indulging in a midweek treat, this cherry almond tart offers a celebration of flavor in every bite. It’s a dessert that lingers in memory — delicate, rich, and endlessly satisfying.