Pear and apricot frangipane tart recipe
 This recipe uses tinned pears and apricot jam - making it perfect for winter when there's little fresh fruit in season. 300g/10½oz sweet shortcrust pastry125g/4½oz unsalted butter125g/4½oz caster sugar150g/5½oz ground almonds50g/1¾oz plain flour3 free-range eggs, beaten1 tsp vanilla extract75g/2½oz flaked almonds3 tbsp apricot jam2 x 410g/14½oz tins pear halves in fruit juice, drainedwhipped cream, to serve 300g/10½oz sweet shortcrust pastry 125g/4½oz unsalted butter 125g/4½oz caster sugar 150g/5½oz ground almonds 50g/1¾oz plain flour 3 free-range eggs, beaten 1 tsp vanilla extract 75g/2½oz flaked almonds 3 tbsp apricot jam 2 x 410g/14½oz tins pear halves in fruit juice, drained whipped cream, to serve Method Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work surface and use it to line a 27cm/10¾in loose-bottomed, fluted tin. Line the pastry case with baking parchment or aluminium foil and fill with ceramic baking beans (alternatively use uncooked rice or lentils). Bake blind for 15 minutes, then remove the parchment and baking beans and return the pastry to the oven for an extra eight minutes, or until the pastry looks dry and faintly coloured. Set aside to cool.Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/350F/Gas 4.To make the filling, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the ground almonds, flour and eggs. Mix to thoroughly combine. Stir in the vanilla extract and one tablespoon of flaked almonds.Spread the apricot jam on the base of the cooled pastry case. Spread the frangipane mixture over the apricot jam. Use a pallet knife to smooth the filling. Sit the pears on the filling and gently press them down. Scatter over the remaining flaked almonds.Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden-brown.Leave to cool in the tin before serving. Serve with whipped cream. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work surface and use it to line a 27cm/10¾in loose-bottomed, fluted tin. Line the pastry case with baking parchment or aluminium foil and fill with ceramic baking beans (alternatively use uncooked rice or lentils). Bake blind for 15 minutes, then remove the parchment and baking beans and return the pastry to the oven for an extra eight minutes, or until the pastry looks dry and faintly coloured. Set aside to cool. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work surface and use it to line a 27cm/10¾in loose-bottomed, fluted tin. Line the pastry case with baking parchment or aluminium foil and fill with ceramic baking beans (alternatively use uncooked rice or lentils). Bake blind for 15 minutes, then remove the parchment and baking beans and return the pastry to the oven for an extra eight minutes, or until the pastry looks dry and faintly coloured. Set aside to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/350F/Gas 4. To make the filling, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the ground almonds, flour and eggs. Mix to thoroughly combine. Stir in the vanilla extract and one tablespoon of flaked almonds. To make the filling, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the ground almonds, flour and eggs. Mix to thoroughly combine. Stir in the vanilla extract and one tablespoon of flaked almonds. Spread the apricot jam on the base of the cooled pastry case. Spread the frangipane mixture over the apricot jam. Use a pallet knife to smooth the filling. Sit the pears on the filling and gently press them down. Scatter over the remaining flaked almonds. Spread the apricot jam on the base of the cooled pastry case. Spread the frangipane mixture over the apricot jam. Use a pallet knife to smooth the filling. Sit the pears on the filling and gently press them down. Scatter over the remaining flaked almonds. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden-brown. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden-brown. Leave to cool in the tin before serving. Serve with whipped cream. Leave to cool in the tin before serving. Serve with whipped cream.