A flan for the seasons

serves
10
A flan for the seasons
Robyn Lea
A flan for the seasons

"A year-round classic that works with practically any stone fruit, berries or even rhubarb. Fruit in season is always preferable. Try sliced apples, pears or poached quinces, wedges of fresh fig or apricot.” – Oliver Edwards and Brianna Smith

This recipe is best suited to a 23cm loose-bottomed tart pan. Place all pastry ingredients, except water, in the freezer for 10 minutes before beginning.

Recipe by Oliver Edwards and Brianna Smith. This is an edited extract from A Heide Harvest by Alice Crowe and Maximilian, published by Thames & Hudson Australia, AUD $64.99. Photography by Robyn Lea.

Ingredients (14)

  • Stone fruit, berries or any seasonal fruit (enough to cover top of tart)
  • Icing sugar, to dust
  • Yoghurt or creme fraiche, to serve

Shortcrust pastry

  • 70g spelt flour
  • 130g plain flour, plus extra, to dust
  • 150g unsalted butter
  • 2¼ tbs iced water

Frangipane

  • 150g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature
  • 150g caster sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (or 1 tsp vanilla-bean paste or extract)
  • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
  • Finely grated zest of 1 orange
  • 155g almond meal

Don't forget you can add these ingredients to your Woolworths shopping list.

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Method

  • 1.
    For the pastry, combine flours, butter and a pinch of fine salt in a food processor. Process until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. With the motor running, gradually add iced water until dough forms a ball. Tip dough onto a bench lightly dusted with flour and gently roll into a ball. Press into a disc, wrap in plastic or beeswax wrap. Refrigerate for 20 minutes (see recipe notes).
  • 2.
    Roll dough out on a sheet of baking paper to a circle slightly bigger than the pan. Dust with a small amount of extra flour if sticky. Pick up pastry disc with the baking paper, drape over the pan with the paper facing up, then gently peel back paper and press pastry into pan. Use a knife to trim pastry to 1cm above edge of pan, and prick base with a fork every few centimetres. Line pastry case with baking paper and fill with pastry weights or rice. Chill in fridge or freezer for 20 minutes.
  • 3.
    While pastry chills, preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced.
  • 4.
    Blind-bake pastry case straight from fridge or freezer for 15 minutes, rotating halfway, then remove weights and paper and bake for 5 minutes more. Let cool completely before filling.
  • 5.
    For frangipane, cream butter and caster sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla seeds and zest, then fold in almond meal. Chill until ready to use.
  • 6.
    Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced.
  • 7.
    Spoon frangipane into cooled pastry case, gently spreading evenly to just below the rim. If needed, cut off any ragged pastry edges with a small serrated knife. Cover frangipane with fruit. Bake for 15 minutes. Rotate pan and bake for 15 minutes more, or until golden brown and centre is springy to touch. Cool, then dust with icing sugar.
  • 8.
    Serve with yoghurt or creme fraiche.
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Recipe Notes

Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 1 month. The flan is best enjoyed on the day of baking, but will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

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