Delicious & Versatile Peach Tart Recipe: Gluten-Free (or Not) Perfection
For anyone who believes gluten-free desserts lack flavor or texture, prepare to be delightfully surprised. This exceptional peach tart challenges that notion, proving that a truly delicious dessert doesn’t have to compromise on taste or dietary needs. We’re not simply offering a “Gluten-Free (or Not) Peach Tart” as a confusing choice; rather, we’re highlighting its incredible versatility. This recipe is designed to deliver outstanding results, whether you opt for a gluten-free crust or a classic all-purpose flour base. The key lies in choosing your preferred flour and, of course, selecting the most succulent, end-of-season peaches to create a truly unforgettable treat.
As the summer draws to a close, peaches reach their peak sweetness and juiciness, making them the ideal fruit for this magnificent tart. Their natural sugars caramelize beautifully during baking, creating a luscious filling that perfectly complements the rich, buttery crust and crumb topping. This recipe celebrates the simplicity of fresh, seasonal ingredients combined with an effortlessly easy baking method, ensuring a delightful dessert experience for everyone at your table.
Crafting Your Perfect Tart Crust: Gluten-Free or Classic
The journey to this delectable peach tart begins with its foundation: the crust. This is where your personal preference truly shines, as you decide on the type of flour to use. For those embracing a gluten-free lifestyle, I highly recommend Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour. It’s a fantastic blend that behaves very much like traditional all-purpose flour, making gluten-free baking straightforward and successful. If gluten isn’t a concern, feel free to use your favorite all-purpose flour; the results will be equally magnificent. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability, ensuring a perfect tart no matter your choice of flour.
Beyond the flour, another delightful element to consider for your crust is the flavoring. This particular crust boasts a distinctive almond flavor, which creates an exquisite pairing with the sweet, baked peaches. The subtle nuttiness enhances the fruit’s natural sweetness, adding a layer of sophisticated taste. However, if almond isn’t your preference, or if you have an allergy, there’s a simple and equally delicious alternative: swap the almond extract for pure vanilla extract. Vanilla will provide a classic, comforting aroma and taste that is universally loved, ensuring your peach tart is perfectly tailored to your liking. This small adjustment allows for significant customization without compromising the tart’s overall charm.
Effortless Prep: One Bowl, No Mixer Required!
One of the most appealing aspects of this peach tart recipe is its incredible simplicity. You’ll love that the entire crust comes together in just one bowl, eliminating the need for any stand mixers or elaborate equipment. All you truly need are a trusty fork to combine the initial ingredients and your hands to bring everything together. This hands-on approach is not only satisfying but also ensures you have perfect control over the dough’s consistency. Once mixed, the dough is gently transferred to your 10-inch tart pan. Using your fingertips and the palm of your hand, you’ll press and smooth it out evenly across the bottom, then gently push it up the sides to align with the pan’s edge. This technique ensures a uniformly thick crust that will bake beautifully and hold your delicious peach filling.
For this recipe, I typically use a 10-inch tart pan, which provides the perfect size and a classic presentation with its fluted edge and removable bottom. However, don’t let a lack of a specific size hold you back! This forgiving recipe works wonderfully in a slightly larger or smaller tart pan. Just remember to adjust your baking time accordingly; a smaller tart might bake a bit faster, while a larger one might need a few extra minutes. The key is to watch for visual cues of doneness, as described in the instructions.
Even if you don’t own a tart pan at all, you can still enjoy this incredible dessert! A standard pie plate makes an excellent substitute. While you won’t achieve the distinctive fluted edge that a tart pan provides, your peach creation will still be undeniably delicious. The rustic charm of a pie plate presentation is equally appealing, and the taste will be just as heavenly. Furthermore, this recipe is a dream come true for busy bakers: there’s absolutely no blind-baking required for the crust. Simply press the dough into the pan, and it’s ready for the peaches – a true time-saver that we can all appreciate!
Once your crust is perfectly formed, it’s time for the star of the show: the peaches! Carefully arrange the sliced peaches in an overlapping concentric circle over the dough. Start from the outer edge and work your way inward, ensuring a beautiful, even layer. One fantastic tip for this tart is that there’s absolutely no need to peel the peaches. Leaving the skin on not only saves you a significant amount of prep time but also contributes to the baked tart’s charmingly rustic look. The peach skin softens beautifully during baking, adding a subtle, delightful texture and a vibrant pop of color to each slice. This makes the tart not only easier to prepare but also more visually appealing and texturally interesting.
Creating the Irresistible Crumb Topping
The final essential component of this incredible peach tart is the irresistible crumb topping. This sugary, salty, and buttery mixture adds a wonderful contrast in texture and a burst of flavor that truly elevates the entire dessert. Just like the crust, preparing the crumb topping is wonderfully simple and requires minimal cleanup. All the ingredients are combined in a single bowl, and your hands are your best tools to achieve the perfect crumbly texture.
For those making a gluten-free version of this tart, remember to maintain consistency by using your preferred gluten-free flour here as well. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour works just as effectively in the topping, ensuring the same delicious result. Start by combining the sugar, flour, salt, and very cold butter. Cold butter is crucial for achieving that desirable crumbly texture, as it prevents the butter from melting too quickly into the dry ingredients.
To prepare the crumb topping, combine the sugar, flour, and salt in a bowl. If your peaches are particularly juicy, an extra tablespoon of flour can be added to help absorb excess moisture and ensure the topping remains delightfully crisp. Next, add the very cold, unsalted butter. You can either use your fingertips to pinch the butter into the dry ingredients, working until the mixture resembles fine granules with some tiny pebbles scattered throughout, or you can opt for a pastry blender to quickly incorporate the butter. The goal is to achieve this mix of textures, which will bake into a wonderfully crunchy and golden-brown topping.
Once your crumb mixture is ready, sprinkle it generously over the beautifully arranged peach slices. At first, it might appear as though there’s an overwhelming amount of topping, a snowy mountain covering the fruit. However, trust the process! As the tart bakes, this abundant shower of topping will transform into glorious, shiny, thick bubbles of goodness, lovingly coating and caramelizing the slightly charred fruit slices beneath. The aroma alone will be enough to make your mouth water, and the final result will be a perfectly balanced sweetness and texture.
Bake your tart for approximately 40 to 45 minutes in a hot oven. You’ll know it’s perfectly done when the crumb topping has transformed into those shiny, thick, bubbling pockets of caramelized goodness, and the crust around the edges is beautifully golden brown. Once baked, it’s crucial to cool the tart on a wire rack. This allows air to circulate underneath, preventing the bottom crust from becoming soggy and ensuring a perfectly crisp finish. While tempting to dig in immediately, allowing it to cool properly ensures structural integrity and optimal flavor development.
This peach tart is exquisite served both warm and at room temperature, making it a versatile dessert for any occasion. For an extra touch of indulgence, consider serving it with generous dollops of freshly whipped cream. The cool, airy cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, fruity tart. Alternatively, a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream melting slightly over the warm peaches is an absolute dream. The cold ice cream complements the warm fruit and crumb topping, creating a truly decadent experience. For a simpler finish, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds an elegant touch.
Almost time to dig in to your Gluten-Free (or Not) Peach Tart…
Once your beautifully baked peach tart is out of the oven, patience is key! Be sure to give your tart ample time to cool on a wire rack before attempting to remove the sides of the tart pan. This cooling period is essential for the crust to set properly and prevent any crumbling. Typically, letting it cool for at least 30-60 minutes will ensure it’s firm enough to handle and slice cleanly.
Of course, this peach tart is absolutely divine when served while still slightly warm, allowing the sweet peach juices and buttery crumb topping to shine. Imagine a slice of this golden-brown perfection, perhaps with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream melting lazily over it? Or for a lighter, yet equally luxurious touch, a dollop of freshly whipped cream would be a magnificent accompaniment. The choice is yours, and either option promises a delightful culinary experience that will leave everyone craving another slice. This versatile dessert is perfect for a casual family gathering, a special dinner party, or simply as a comforting treat on a cozy evening. Its ability to cater to different dietary needs without sacrificing flavor makes it a true crowd-pleaser and a valuable addition to your recipe repertoire.
gluten-free (or not) peach tart
Adapted from a recipe by Amanda Hesser of FOOD52
You choose whether this should be gluten-free or not by using your flour of choice. Just be sure to use those delicious end-of-season peaches.
Ingredients
Peach Tart
-
1 1/2
cups
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour (262 grams)
(or regular all-purpose flour) -
1/2
teaspoon
kosher salt -
1
teaspoon
granulated sugar -
1/4
cup
neutral vegetable oil -
1/4
cup
olive oil -
2
tablespoons
whole milk -
1
teaspoon
pure almond extract
(or pure vanilla extract) -
3
large peaches, pitted & cut into 1/2″-slices
(about 25 ounces)
Crumb Topping
-
3/4
cup
granulated sugar -
2
tablespoons
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour
(or regular all-purpose flour) -
1/4
teaspoon
kosher salt -
2
tablespoons
very cold unsalted butter
Instructions
Peach Tart
-
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
-
In a mixing bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stirring enables the salt and sugar to sift the flour, so you don’t need to sift it in advance. In a small bowl, whisk together the oils, milk and almond extract. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture and mix gently with a fork, just enough to dampen; do not overwork it. Then, transfer the dough to a 10-inch tart pan (you can use a slightly smaller or larger one, if needed), and use your hands to pat out the dough so it covers the bottom of the pan, pushing it up the sides to meet the edge. This will work if you pat firmly and confidently, but not if you curl your fingertips into the dough. It should be about an 1/ 8-inch thick all around; trim and discard excess dough.
-
Starting on the outside, arrange the peach slices overlapping in a concentric circle over the pastry; fill in the center in whatever pattern makes sense. The peaches should fit snugly.
Crumb Topping
-
In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the butter. (If your peaches are especially juicy, add 1 tablespoon additional flour.) Using your fingers, pinch the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly, with a mixture of fine granules and tiny pebbles.
-
Sprinkle the pebbly butter mixture over top of the peaches (it will seem like a lot). Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until shiny, thick bubbles begin enveloping the fruit and the crust is slightly brown. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or room temperature, preferably with generous dollops of whipped cream or scoops of vanilla ice cream.
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Love Peaches? Explore More Delicious Peach Recipes!
If you’ve fallen in love with the sweet, juicy goodness of peaches in this tart, you’re in for a treat! Peaches are incredibly versatile and can be transformed into a myriad of delightful desserts and even savory dishes. Here are a few more peach-inspired recipes to keep the summer flavors alive: