Frangipane Food

FRANGIPANE

Steps:

• Combine almond paste, sugar, egg and egg yolk in mixing bowl. Beat with paddle on medium speed until smooth. Add butter in 3 additions; beat until light. Lower mixer speed to low; beat in flour until absorbed.
• WATER ICING: Combine sugar and liquid in a small saucepan and stir to a creamy consistency. Heat to luke-warm over low heat, stirring constantly. Apply warm; reheat if necessary.

FRANGIPANE

Steps:

• Combine the almond cream ingredients and in a pastry bag with a large opening (no tip) and set aside. Halve the puff pastry and roll each into an 8 1/2-inch circle, 1/8 inch thick.
• Place 1 of the circles on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Pipe a 5-inch diameter mound of almond cream in the center of the circle. The mound should be about 1-inch high. Prepare the egg wash: Whisk together the egg yolks, whole egg, and milk in a small bowl until well combined.
• Lightly brush the remaining 1 1/2-inch rim of the pastry circle with the egg wash. Place the second circle of puff pastry over the first. Gently press against the sides of the almond cream mound to remove any trapped air. Seal the edges of the 2 layers by pressing the top edge into the bottom edge. Use a sharp knife to give the circle a fluted edge like a flower. Use a sharp knife to pierce a 1/2-inch slit in the top layer at the center. This will allow steam to escape during baking. To make the classic pattern in the top, use a sharp knife to score a curved line that begins at the top of the mound and ends at the bottom of the mound. Repeat this line every 1/2 inch around the circumference of the mound, but be careful not to cut through the top layer and into the almond cream. Lightly brush the top with egg wash.
• Let the frangipane rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour before baking. (At this point, you can wrap the frangipane well in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Let it thaw in the refrigerator or in your backpack before baking.) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake until it begins to brown slightly, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze: Stir together the corn syrup and water.
• Remove the frangipane from the oven and brush it well with the corn syrup mixture. This adds sweetness, enhances the color, and gives it a crispy crust. Continue to bake until well risen and evenly browned, about another 20 minutes. The baked frangipane should be flaky and tender, and the almond cream center still moist. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. The frangipane is best when served while it is still slightly warm. Use a serrated knife to slice it.

FRANGIPANE: ALMOND CREAM

Steps:

• When you are ready to use it, fill your pastries, tart, or tartlets and bake.

FRANGIPANI CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° with rack in middle.
• Grease and flour a small cake pan.
• With electric mixer on low speed, blend almond paste, sugar and butter.
• Continue mixing, adding eggs one at a time.
• Mix on high until batter is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Sift in the cake flour.
• Gently fold into batter until just blended.
• Spread batter evenly into pan.
• Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden and inserted toothpick comes out clean.

APPLE FRANGIPANE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round springform pan.
• Beat 1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons softened butter, almond paste, and 1 cup sugar at low speed with a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until smooth, light, and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in vanilla bean paste; add eggs, 1 at a time, and beat until completely combined after each addition. Gently fold in flour and salt with a rubber spatula until just combined.
• Spoon mixture into the prepared springform pan. Arrange apples slices over top of batter; brush apples with melted butter and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Bake in the preheated oven until browned and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Remove sides of pan and cool completely, about 1 hour. Dust top of cake with powdered sugar and sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds.

FRANGIPANE

Steps:

• 1. If using whole or sliced almonds, grind them in the food processor as finely as possible without turning them into a paste. Set aside.
• 2. Using the stand mixer or a medium bowl and the handheld mixer, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes if using a stand mixer or 3 to 4 minutes if using a handheld mixer, or until light. Add the ground almonds or the almond flour and beat on medium speed for 1 minute, or until thoroughly incorporated. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Or, use a medium bowl and a wooden spoon; creaming the butter and sugar will take 4 to 5 minutes and incorporating the nuts or almond flour will take about 1 1/2 minutes.
• 3. With the mixer on low speed or with the wooden spoon, beat in the eggs until blended. Add the all-purpose flour, vanilla, and salt and beat just until combined. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 weeks. If refrigerated, let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before using. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before using.