It's gluten-free, it's just sweet enough, and this sour cherry almond tart is an easy dessert to make for your next get-together!
I made this gluten-free sour cherry almond tart recently, simply because I had picked up a jar of sour cherries on a whim. They're not an ingredient I use often, but I was thinking ahead to creating colourful Christmas desserts and those richly coloured cherries caught my eye. It was fun to experiment with them and create this tart--three times!
This gluten-free Sour Cherry Almond Tart needs only three simple steps.
- Make the crust and bake it. It's a delicious mix of almond flour and oat flour.
- Make the filling by heating the cherry juice with cornstarch until thickened, then adding it to the cherries.
- Make the crunchy topping by toasting almonds with a little egg white and sugar in the oven.
I used a jar of pitted sour cherries in a light syrup, so I didn't add any extra sugar to the filling. Denis and I don't like desserts that are overly sweet, so this tart was just right for us. The crust has a subtle sweetness and the flaked almonds are sweet, so leaving the filling slightly tart was the perfect contrast. If you prefer your dessert to be sweeter, you can add one or two tablespoons of sugar to the cherry juice while you heat it.
But it certainly isn't necessary.
Then simply assemble, slice and serve! This tart is delicious as is. No ice cream or whipped cream necessary!
As with all gluten-free desserts, be sure to line the bottom of your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. I used an 13 x 4 inch oblong pan with a removable bottom, but a 9-inch round pan will work, too.
Gluten Free Sour Cherry Almond Tart
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup Superfine almond flour, packed
- 1 cup oat flour, gluten-free, if necessary
- ¼ cup butter or coconut oil, melted
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup
Filling
- 2 cups jarred, pitted sour cherries plus 1 ¼ cups juice from the jar (1-19 oz (540 ml) jar (*see note below)
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
Topping
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon beaten egg white
Instructions
For the Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 13" x 4" oblong tart pan with a removable bottom with parchment paper and grease the sides. Alternatively, use a 9" round tart pan with a removable bottom, line and grease.
- Combine superfine almond flour and oat flour and stir in melted butter (or coconut oil) and maple syrup until well blended. Transfer to tart pan.
- Press firmly into the bottom of the pan and up the sides, as evenly as you can. Prick all over with a fork. This will allow the steam to escape and prevent the crust from puffing up while it bakes.
- Transfer to oven and bake for 16 - 18 minutes or until golden. Edges will begin to brown slightly. Remove. Cool.
For the Filling
- Drain the cherries, saving the juice and put the cherries in a medium bowl. Measure ¼ cup juice and whisk it with the cornstarch in a small saucepan. Add the remaining 1 cup cherry juice. Bring to a boil and cook for about 30 seconds after it boils, whisking constantly until mixture is thick and glossy. Remove from heat and add the almond extract.
- Add the mixture to the cherries and gently fold until combined. Fill the baked tart shell.
- Combine the sliced almonds with the sugar and 1 tablespoon egg white, (not the whole egg white). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread mixture out in a single layer. Bake, stirring half way through, for about 10 minutes or until almonds are lightly browned. Let cool, then break into small pieces. Arrange around the edge of the tart. Serve!
Notes
- I used a jar of sour cherries in light syrup. This dessert was definitely sweet enough for me. If you prefer your dessert to be sweeter, you can add one or two tablespoons of sugar to the cherry juice while you heat it.
- You can easily make your own oat flour by grinding rolled oats in a high-speed blender. Remember to measure the oat flour after grinding, not before.
Denise Labadie Snell
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!!
Thank you. I will be trying more of your recipes!!!
Elaine
Thanks so much, Denise! Happy to hear you enjoyed this tart. Thanks so much for commenting.
Tammy
Should this be stored on the counter or refrigerator and for how long will it stay in your experience?
Elaine
Hi Tammy,
It will be fine on the counter for a day or so. For longer storage, I would refrigerate it as the almond flour crust may get a little soft. Thanks for your question!
Tammy
Any suggestions on using fresh sour cherries as there will be no liquid?
Flavour & Savour
Hi Tammy,
That's a great question, especially now during cherry season! I haven't tried this recipe with fresh cherries, but this is what I would suggest: I think you would have to increase the amount of fresh cherries. Start by whisking 1/2 cup sugar (or more, depending on how sweet you want your dessert to be) with 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/4 to 1/2 tsp almond extract. Add 4 cups of fresh cherries, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and continue to cook until the mixture is thick. Then transfer to the baked crust, add the almond topping and cool. As I mentioned, I haven't tried it with fresh cherries, but it should work. Let me know! Thanks for your question.
Tammy
Thanks! I’ll let you know.
maryanne
I used fresh sour cherries. Absolutely delicious- just added about1/4 cup of sugar to the filling. Biggest pain was pitting all those cherries, but it was well worth it. Rave reviews from friends with whom I shared this beautiful and tasty desert .
Elaine
Happy to hear that!
Colleen
Such a beautiful tart! We canned some sour cherries that were given to us this summer. (I didn't know you could buy them in a jar!) Now I know what to use some of them for. 🙂
Flavour & Savour
I'm sure home-canned sour cherries would be even better!
Gabrielle @ eyecandypopper
Oh. my! This looks so good, and I love all the real ingredients! Although whipped cream isn't necessary, I could see myself adding a dollop of coconut whipped cream on top! haha 🙂
Flavour & Savour
Thanks! This is a crust recipe I'll use over and over. It was so easy, and it turns out beautifully every time. And yes, a little dollop of whipped coconut cream is always welcome . . .
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
What a beautiful tart! You might know that I have a "mild obsession" for tarts (and scones 😉 ) . This one made with almond and oat flour looks beautiful! We have so many sour cherries in the freezer, plus we made sour cherry jam, sour cherries in syrup and in brandy. Needless to say, we love them 😉 . Perfect counterpart to a delicious, sweet tart.
Flavour & Savour
Maybe it was because I've been reading your beautiful blog for so long that I picked up that jar of cherries on a whim! if so, thanks for the inspiration!