Say it with me: Fran-zhe-pan or Fran-juh-peyn. Frangipane is just fun to say, don't you think?
Over the past few years, I've developed a minor obsession with the Great British Baking Show, or Great British Bake Off as it's known across the pond. The bakers are lovely and genuine – and please don't tell me what is happening in Season 9 as we're watching another series, and I haven't had a chance to watch.
Really, though...I wish all "competitions" could be done with this much heart. The GBBO is the Ted Lasso of baking competitions. Each week, I get a little teary-eyed when a baker is sent home, and I'm cheering for that week's Star Baker.
What exactly is frangipane?
One of the mysterious concoctions they make each season is frangipane - in some way, shape, or form. Although frangipane is Italian in origin, it will always have a British connotation to me since I first learned of it on the Great British Baking Show.
"The GBBO is the Ted Lasso of baking competitions."
Frangipane is a baked almond cream typically found in tarts, such as the famous Bakewell Tart (I even made a chocolate version for Halloween) or Galette des Rois. It also can be used for applications like croissant filling. If you love almond flavor, you'll love frangipane. The almond scent while it's baking it out of this world!
Frangipane is made with just a handful of ingredients. Because it contains eggs, it must be baked.Baked, frangipane is creamy and moist.And almond-y. Did I mention almond?Frangipane is not interchangeable with marzipan or almond paste.
How to make frangipane...
It's super easy to make frangipane! You'll feel like a British Bake Off rock star!
Start by creaming butter and sugar.
Next is almond flour. You can use almond flour made with or without the skins. The skins will give your frangipane a more speckled appearance.
The eggs get beaten in, then comes just a bit of all-purpose flour (you could use a gluten-free sub here such as King Arthur Flour Measure for Measure), almond and vanilla extracts, and salt. The frangipane is now ready for your baking masterpiece!
Can I make frangipane ahead of time?
Yes, you can certainly whip it up a day or two before using it. Store it in the fridge.
Frangipane Recipe
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup almond flour
2 eggs
1 tablespoon unbleached, all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch kosher salt
Cream the butter and sugar together for a few minutes until light and fluffy. Add the almond flour and mix for a few more minutes, scraping sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating until fully incorporated. Mix in the flour, extracts, and salt.
Use in your frangipane recipe or cover and refrigerate for up to two days.
Here are some recipes using frangipane:
Which frangipane recipe will you try first?
FAQs
Frangipane is a mixture of butter, eggs, ground almonds, sugar, and usually a small amount of flour. It's hardly a delicate procedure; making frangipane is more like making a simple cookie batter.
What is frangipane explained? ›
Frangipane (/ˈfrændʒɪpæn, -peɪn/ FRAN-jih-pa(y)n) is a sweet almond-flavored custard, typical in French pastry, used in a variety of ways, including cakes and such pastries as the Bakewell tart, conversation tart, Jésuite and pithivier.
What is a substitute for frangipane? ›
Make a popular variation on traditional frangipane filling by substituting ground pistachios or ground hazelnuts for almond meal.
Does frangipane need to be refrigerated? ›
In the refrigerator: You can make frangipane ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Bring up to room temperature before using. In the freezer: You can also freeze it for up to a month.
Can I eat frangipane raw? ›
Because it contains raw egg and flour, frangipane is always baked before eating. It has a tendency to spread because of its high ratio of fat, so it's typically used in applications where that's limited, such as in a filling or topping.
Is almond cream the same as frangipane? ›
❓ What is Frangipane (Almond Cream)?
Regardless of its murky origins, Frangipane, "Crème d'Amande" in French, or Almond Cream, is made from only 5 ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, ground almonds and flour. It's beaten together to create a smooth, creamy almond filling.
Should frangipane be wet? ›
Tips: Frangipane is a classic dessert filling made with ground almonds which help to keep it moist when baked. The filling should be soft and have a damp crumb texture, more like a set custard than a fluffy sponge.
How do you know when frangipane is cooked? ›
Frangipane is done when the top looks dry and is lightly golden brown. The sides should start to pull away from the pan a bit, and if you stick a toothpick in the middle, it should come out clean with only a few moist crumbs attached.
Why is my frangipane soggy? ›
Frangipane is fairly forgiving but like most things it does have a perfect point. It should rise in the oven and form a golden brown crust, with a just set centre. The main cause of undercooked frangipane is baking at too high a heat. The crust will brown too quickly, leaving a soggy centre.
What does frangipane taste like? ›
What Does Frangipane Taste Like? Frangipane has a light sweetness to it and a nutty flavor due to the almonds.
Frangipane is named after 16th century Italian nobleman Marquis Muzio Frangipani, who invented a bitter almond-scented fragrance that was used to perfume gloveswhile he was living in Paris. French pastry chefs were inspired and invented the recipe, which became a classic.
Why did my frangipane sink? ›
Try to avoid opening the oven before 15 minutes have passed, as the delicate structure of the frangipane means they have a tendency to sink. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely. Pipe each tart with a dab of buttercream, then top with a fresh cherry and some toasted flaked almonds.
Is frangipane the same as marzipan? ›
Frangipane is a rich, cream-based filling, while marzipan is a thick paste mostly used for decorative purposes. The main thing they have in common is the almonds required to make each one, but beyond that, they're wildly different — especially in consistency — meaning you'll find them used differently, too.
What is frangipane used for? ›
Frangipane is used in several European pastries, especially as a filling for tarts. In French baking, it is used for the Epiphany cake called Galette des rois.
What do you call the filling made of sugar, butter, eggs, and ground almonds? ›
Sometimes called frangipane cream, it is essentially an almond filling (paste) made of butter, eggs, ground almonds, sugar, and flour.
Are marzipan and frangipane the same thing? ›
Frangipane is a rich, cream-based filling, while marzipan is a thick paste mostly used for decorative purposes. The main thing they have in common is the almonds required to make each one, but beyond that, they're wildly different — especially in consistency — meaning you'll find them used differently, too.
Is frangipane French or Italian? ›
Frangipane is named after 16th century Italian nobleman Marquis Muzio Frangipani, who invented a bitter almond-scented fragrance that was used to perfume gloveswhile he was living in Paris. French pastry chefs were inspired and invented the recipe, which became a classic.
Is frangipani the same as almond paste? ›
Another difference between frangipane and almond paste and marzipan is the ingredients. In addition to almonds and sugar, frangipane contains eggs, butter, and flour. French-style frangipane also requires milk to prepare a custard, which is then mixed with ground almonds. Frangipane has a very soft consistency.
