Cherry Frangipane Tart Recipe

This Cherry Frangipane Tart combines flaky homemade rough puff pastry with luscious almond frangipane and glossy sweet cherries for an irresistible bakery-style dessert. Featured on Flour Power with Jessica McGovern, this elegant tart recipe delivers buttery layers, nutty almond richness, and vibrant fruit flavor in every bite.

Perfect for dinner parties, brunches, holidays, or afternoon coffee gatherings, this cherry tart recipe balances classic French pastry techniques with approachable homemade baking. The sweet cherry topping and rich almond filling create a stunning dessert that tastes as beautiful as it looks.

The Inspiration

This Cherry Frangipane Tart combines flaky homemade rough puff pastry with luscious almond frangipane and glossy sweet cherries for an irresistible bakery-style dessert. Featured on Flour Power with Jessica McGovern, this elegant tart recipe delivers buttery layers, nutty almond richness, and vibrant fruit flavor in every bite.

Perfect for dinner parties, brunches, holidays, or afternoon coffee gatherings, this cherry tart recipe balances classic French pastry techniques with approachable homemade baking. The sweet cherry topping and rich almond filling create a stunning dessert that tastes as beautiful as it looks.

Ingredients

Rough puff pastry

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) flour
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• ½ cup (120 ml) cold butter, cubed
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) cold water

Frangipane

• 1 cup (240 ml) ground almonds
• ½ cup (120 ml) butter, room temperature
• ½ cup (120 ml) sugar
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) almond extract
• ¾ cup (180 ml) flour
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
• 1 lb (454 g) fresh sweet cherries, pitted
• 4 tablespoons (60 ml) cherry jam
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cherry liqueur
• Mint, for decorating

Method

• Let’s get baking!

For rough puff pastry

• Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Add cubed butter to flour mixture and cut up cubes while inside the bowl using two knives, or a pastry cutter, until they begin to combine with the flour and start to resemble coarse crumbs. Drizzle a few tablespoons of water into the bowl and work together with your fingers, or using a fork, adding more water as needed, until the dough comes together.
• Turn dough onto the counter. Flatten into a square, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Take dough out of fridge and roll out into a large square. Fold up the bottom third, then fold up again. Roll out. Repeat. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes to overnight.

For the frangipane

• Pour ground almonds in a bowl.
• Add butter and sugar and whip to combine.
• Add eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract and whip to combine.
• Add flour and salt and fold to combine thoroughly.
• Set aside.

To finish

• On a lightly-floured surface, roll out pastry to fit a 10-inch (25 cm) tart pan.
• Press pastry into the tart pan. Trim off excess pastry.
• Spread the frangipane over the tart shell, covering the bottom evenly.
• Bake in a 350 F (175 C) oven for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• Let tart cool.
• Place cherries on top, covering the surface. Warm up the cherry jam. Stir cherry liqueur into the jam. Brush the mixture over the cherries. Scatter mint leaves on top.

Serving Suggestions

This Cherry Frangipane Tart is an exceptional dessert for holidays, dinner parties, brunches, and elegant afternoon gatherings. Serve it slightly chilled or at room temperature to fully appreciate the buttery pastry and soft almond filling.

Pair the tart with freshly whipped cream, vanilla bean ice cream, or crème fraîche for a luxurious finishing touch. Its nutty almond flavor also pairs beautifully with espresso, cappuccino, dessert wines, or sparkling rosé.

For entertaining, serve thin slices on decorative dessert plates garnished with extra cherries and mint sprigs. The glossy fruit topping and golden pastry create an eye-catching centerpiece perfect for celebrations and special occasions.

This tart also works wonderfully as part of a dessert buffet alongside other fruit pastries, French-inspired desserts, or seasonal baked goods.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Frangipane Tart recipe is a beautiful celebration of classic French pastry flavors, combining flaky rough puff pastry, rich almond filling, and sweet glossy cherries into one unforgettable dessert.

Jessica McGovern’s elegant approach on Flour Power transforms simple ingredients into a bakery-worthy tart that feels both refined and comforting. The balance of buttery pastry, nutty frangipane, and fresh fruit creates layers of flavor and texture that make every slice memorable.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, a weekend brunch, or a sophisticated dessert table, this Cherry Frangipane Tart delivers stunning presentation and irresistible flavor every time.