By Mark Bittman
- Total Time
- 20 minutes
- Rating
- 4(5,070)
- Notes
- Read community notes
This flourless, crustless tart is rich, moist, sweet and and prepared almost entirely on the stovetop (with the exception of a few minutes spent under the broiler to crisp the top). It is the ideal decadent breakfast, a new twist on the classic coffeecake or last-minute dessert.
Featured in: Cake, Tart, Frittata: Call It the New Baking
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Ingredients
Yield:4 servings
- 4eggs
- ½ to ¾cup sugar (according to personal taste)
- Pinch of salt
- ½cup ground almonds
- ½cup cream
- ½cup sliced almonds, more for garnish
- 1lemon, zest and juice
- 2tablespoons butter
- Powdered sugar, for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
483 calories; 32 grams fat; 13 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 13 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 41 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 36 grams sugars; 12 grams protein; 108 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Step
1
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine eggs, sugar, salt, ground almonds, cream, sliced almonds, lemon zest and juice.
Step
2
Melt butter in an 8-inch ovenproof skillet over low heat; when foam has subsided, add almond mixture to pan, tilting pan to distribute batter evenly. Continue to cook tart on stovetop until edges just begin to set, then put pan in oven and finish cooking, about 10 to 15 minutes more.
Step
3
When tart is done, put it in broiler for about a minute or until just golden on top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and sliced almonds. Serve.
Ratings
4
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5,070
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Cooking Notes
Joan
A review on something you haven't made isn't that helpful.
Elisa
We made this with 1.5 cups of almond meal and 3 eggs - that's when the texture of the batter looked to be the right consistency. Also added some blueberries to the batter. After stovetop, cooked it for about 25 minutes in the oven until it was firmly set. Came out beautifully. Delish!
Katherine
I am an accomplished cook. I followed the directions to a T, using a frying pan of the correct diameter and not attempting to increase amount of ingredients at all. The tart completely fell apart when I attempted to remove it from the pan (and not in simply a minor way). It looked awful, but tasted good. I will not make this recipe again. It needs a major revision.
SEP
I made this with some alterations to overcome some of the problems other commenters have had. I mixed everything except the sliced almonds in a blender to make sure that it was well-mixed (to avoid scrambled egg texture/taste) and then stirred in the almonds last. I used half and half instead of full cream (to avoid the failure to set). I used a non-stick oven-safe pan so it did not stick. I also added a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Too lemony, but generally quite good! I think it needs salt.
Caroline
This delicious cake is known as a Tarta de Santiago all across the north of Spain. It is served at every meal in cafes and stenciled designs are made by placing a paper cut-out over the top, then sprinkling powder sugar. Thanks for publishing!
Leah
Tried to get a more firm texture by adding first a 1/2 cup more of almond meal, then a second 1/2 cup when the batter didn't feel right. In all, 1.5 cups of almond meal. It came our more firm (like a tart or heavier cake) and less like an egg dish that others have described. It could be sectioned without falling apart too. I would serve this as a brunch dish among other options, or as an afternoon treat with coffee or tea. I used only 1/2 cup of sugar and it was still plenty.
Marney
I made it with refrigerated canned coconut milk - the thick part, and it was delicious. With the lemon flavoring as the predominate flavor followed by almond, coconut is not a flavor you notice. Also, I added a splash of almond extract to bring up the almond flavor. I'll definitely do this again.
Jo L.
I did just about everything wrong on this one--and I'm keeping my mistakes! (1) No cream (didn't read the recipe carefully), so I used 1/2 cup of 2% Greek yogurt and cut the lemon juice by 1/2. I did use the 3/4 C. sugar. (2) Husband needed help "right now!" during the broiler portion, so the top looks like crème brulee, not "just golden." Got it easily out of the Cousances (Le Creuset) pan with a metal spatula, after cutting it into 6ths. Yum.
WB
This is an informal cake, not a bakery cake with candles and fondant and tiers. It's something you make at the last minute to follow a lazy lunch. Nothing fancy. But SO delicious. You can substitute lemon with clementines or oranges. You can use pecans instead of almonds. You can add a little bit of cinnamon or vanilla. I've even used cornmeal or semolina instead of the almond meal! Some things are supposed to look homemade.
Diana
I actually made two substitutions almond milk for the cream and Splenda for the sugar. It turned out excellent. My husband who has cancer is on a low carb/ low sugar diet so with the substitutions I made can actually have this as a dessert. We both really liked it! Thank you
Karen H.
I have made this recipe twice in two different frying pans, one stainless with a copper bottom and one all aluminum. In both cases, I could not get the cake out of the pan without cutting it in triangles first. You might try a non stick pan if it is oven-safe-- or serve it in the frying pan for a rustic look.
Both times, I used a 10" pan instead of the 8" pan noted in the recipe and I increased the ingredients by half. In other words, use 1 1/2 times the recipe for a 10" pan.
Elizabeth
Followed directions exactly. Crushed sliced almonds with a mortar and pestle for the ground almonds, which kept them somewhat more roughly textured. Left in the oven on the longer end of the time ranges listed. Based on other cooks' comments about the tart being difficult to get out of the pan, I chose to turn the oven off and leave skillet in the oven while I was gone for about an hour. Returned and removed skillet and let cool before transferring to a plate. Not eggy and no problems.
Donna
I just made this and it is very good. More like a pudding though the almonds give it a nice texture. I baked it like a german pancake...preheated the cast iron pan in a 400 degree oven then added butter til it melted and the egg batter. The batter sets up quickly around the edges so I just returned it to the oven for the 15 minutes. 1/2 cup of sugar was perfect and let the lemon come through. Very nice.
Margaux Laskey, Staff Editor
I've updated the recipe to include a range (1/2 to 3/4 cup), but in general, on our recipes, follow the written recipe and think of the video as a demo. I hope that helps!
Tom Provost
I did this in my 8" cast iron and it was excellent. I was worried as the batter seemed too "liquidy" but the tart was just lovely. I'll probably lemon it up next time. One note: I made it with only pantry ingredients. I had almond flour, not fresh ground almonds. While almond flour is just ground almonds and it turned out well, I think next time I will do the almonds ground fresh as it might give the tart a slightly coarser texture. Really enjoyed it, as did everyone else!
liliane
This came out beautiful and delicious! I mixed all the ingredients except the sliced almonds in the stand mixer then added the almond. One time I did not have cream so I used a little bit of cream cheese and it worked . Will make again.
deb
Added 3/4 c ground almonds, made in nutra bulletNeeded to cook longer than 15 mins, maybe 5 more
Jay
Then on-stick pan was coated with butter AND cooking spray and the tart still fell apart when I attempted to remove it by placing a dinner plate on it and flipping it over
Kim P
As suggested in previous notes, I used 1 1/2 cups almond flour, three eggs, and half & half instead of full cream. I also used pecans as that’s what I had on hand, and subbed in erythritol for half the sugar.I also do not have an 8” skillet that can go in the oven, so I used a glass casserole dish, 2” high, which I preheated in the 400F oven for 5 minutes, withe the butter. I poured in the batter on top of the foamy butter, and it began to cook immediately! Turned the oven down to 300 after 1s
Vic
Made this and it turned out horrible. I suppose there's a reason good desserts aren't made in 20 minutes.
K Davis
I have been making this for several years and had good results every time. Patience and quality fresh ingerdients are the key. I do use 1/3c heavy cream and whole milk to bring it to 1/2c.half & half would probably suffice.I use the minimum sugar and it is sweet without being cloying. I set the timer and watch closely after it rings. It usually takes a few extra minutes in my kitchen or boat galley
Lourdes
This was a super easy dessert to make that’s not necessarily run of the mill. I combined several suggestions and it came out great and without sticking. Added zest of extra lemon.Added big pinch of salt. Added 1/4 c almond flour. Toasted the 1/2 c of almonds before grinding in mini food processor. Blended all the ingredients in Ninja. Set the edges over a moderate low heat as directed and then baked at 400 for 10 mins (no broiling.)Will absolutely make again.
Jen
This recipe is not a tart at all, it’s really more of a super sweet omelette. I think it’s supposed to be a version of the tarta De Santiago, but am perplexed by the ratio of eggs to ground almonds. I may try it again following the suggestions of others and increase the amount of ground almonds to at least a cup and a half as the taste, aside from the extreme sweetness, was pleasant. The texture and appearance however are very off putting.
Caro
Mods:Sub 1/2 c full fat coconut milk for dairyAdd 2 tsp vanillaMix in blenderHeat pan to 400 degrees in ovenOnce hot, swirl olive oil to cover bottom & 3/4 of sides (instead of butter)Pour custard into hot panBake until middle looks firmish (closer to 30 mins)Finish under broiler per recipe
Anne
Seems 3/4 cup almond flour good to try first.Try heating oven to 400, put pan in to melt butter and add rest of ingredients and bake.Powdered sugar in a design on tip,!
Neil Churches
As an Australian I had problems finding Kosher Salt in Australia; a little research shows any type of salt is fine and specifying Kosher Salt is only an American affectation.Before I am abused for my comments, I can accept larger crystals of salt may be useful in making Confit Duck albeit not essential.
Charles
This is a lame recipe. Fell apart upon serving and I didn’t know what I was eating - a lemon frittata? A lemon soufflé? Doesn’t work for breakfast, dessert, or anything.
Swithin
What's the point of touting the stovetop cooking, if you have to finish with 15 minutes in the oven, followed by a few minutes under the broiler?
Leah
I made this and have been sharing the recipe with everyone! (Especially gluten intolerant folks). Also, took the advice from several comments--less sugar, half and half instead of heavy cream, leave in the oven longer. Thanks for this treasure of recipes, recipe creators and adapters, and for the readers who contribute their own experiences! Happy New Year!
Judy
Loved this. After reading the comments I added about 1/4 cup of almond flour to thicken the batter and it was perfect. Even more lemon would be good. .
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