Skip to main content

Scotch Almond Tart

This recipe came from Mark Zink, who holds the distinction of being the only male pastry chef we ever had at Bayona. This tart is plenty nutty (no offense, Mark!) and richly flavored, thanks to an abundance of almonds. Just after baking, the tart gets a dousing of scotch while it’s still warm—an unusual, aromatic, and delicious twist.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 8 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 eggs
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 Sweet Tart Crust (p. 340)
6 ounces whole blanched almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 ounces scotch whiskey
Whipped cream, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into a bowl, let cool a few minutes, then whisk in the eggs, one at a time, thoroughly incorporating each one. Whisk in the melted butter, vanilla, and salt and refrigerate at least 1 hour (this can be made up to several hours in advance).

    Step 2

    Prepare the crust, using a 9-inch tart pan, and bake (see instructions pp. 340–41). After removing it from the oven, lower the temperature to 325°F.

    Step 3

    Place the almonds in the warm crust. Pour the cooled filling over the nuts and use a rubber spatula to spread it until the almonds are evenly coated.

    Step 4

    Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until firm. Remove the tart from the oven and drizzle the scotch evenly over it. Allow the tart to cool, then serve at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

From Crescent City Cooking by Susan Spicer Copyright (c) 2007 by Susan Spicer Published by Knopf. Susan Spicer was born in Key West, Florida, and lived in Holland until the age of seven, when her family moved to New Orleans. She has lived there ever since, and is the owner of two restaurants, Bayona and Herbsaint. This is her first cookbook. Paula Disbrowe was the former Cowgirl Chef at Hart & Hind Fitness Ranch in Rio Frio, Texas. Prior to that, she spent ten years working as a food and travel writer. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Food & Wine, and Saveur, among other major publications.
Read More
Like Greek lemon potatoes and gochujang chicken stir-fry.
This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Chicken breasts reach their full potential in this spicy, saucy stir-fry with blistered green beans.
Thinly sliced and cooked hot and fast, pork tenderloin is the juicy, cook-quicking weeknight champion of this vegetable-heavy stir-fry.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Add a bag of potato chips and you've got yourself a party.
Like fattoush salad and strawberry shortcake roll.