Cherry Almond Galette is the ultimate summer dessert—a buttery, flaky pastry filled with juicy cherries and a hint of almond. This simple yet elegant treat brings together the best of both worlds: the rustic charm of a galette and the rich, comforting flavors of cherries and almonds. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this Cherry Almond Galette recipe will impress your guests and leave you craving more.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Almond Galette
When you think of pies and tarts, you might imagine intricate steps and hours spent in the kitchen. But with a Cherry Almond Galette, you get all the charm of a pie without the hassle. The golden crust, sweet-tart cherry filling, and aromatic almond extract elevate this dessert into something truly special. It’s the perfect dessert to celebrate summer, fresh cherries, or any occasion that calls for a simple yet stunning treat.
What Makes a Galette So Special?
A galette is essentially a free-form pastry, with no need for fancy pie pans or intricate crimping. It’s rustic, relaxed, and absolutely delicious. The beauty of the Cherry Almond Galette lies in its simplicity—just a few ingredients, a bit of time, and you’re left with a show-stopping dessert.
Origin of the Cherry Almond Galette
The concept of a galette has its roots in French cuisine, where the word “galette” refers to a round, flat pastry. Traditionally, galettes were made with savory fillings like mushrooms or leeks, but over time, sweet variations gained popularity, especially with fruit like apples, peaches, and berries. The Cherry Almond Galette is a modern twist on the classic galette, with the sweet-tart flavor of cherries and the rich, nutty undertones of almond. While it’s a French classic, this recipe is simple enough for any baker to make at home and is the perfect way to showcase seasonal cherries.
Ingredients for Cherry Almond Galette (Serves 6-8)
For the Pastry
- 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (115 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3–4 tbsp ice water
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional but enhances the flavor)
(Optional shortcut: You can also use store-bought pie dough if you’re short on time.)
For the Cherry Filling
- 2 ½ cups (about 12 oz / 340 g) pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
- ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp almond extract
- Pinch of salt
For Assembly
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp milk or water
- 2 tbsp sliced almonds
- 1–2 tsp coarse sugar (for sprinkling)
How to Make Cherry Almond Galette: Step-by-Step
Creating this beautiful Cherry Almond Galette is a simple process, even for novice bakers. Let’s walk through each step together, ensuring you get a golden, flaky crust and a filling that’s perfectly sweet and juicy.
1. Make the Dough
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter.
- Add Ice Water: Slowly add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just begins to come together. You might need about 3-4 tablespoons of water.
- Shape & Chill: Once the dough is formed, shape it into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. You can chill it for up to 2 days if needed. This chilling step is crucial to ensure a flaky texture when baked.
2. Prepare the Filling
- Mix the Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, almond extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Rest the Filling: Toss the ingredients gently until the cherries are coated evenly, then let the filling rest for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to release from the cherries and the cornstarch to begin thickening the mixture.
3. Assemble the Galette
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a circle, about 12 inches in diameter, and roughly ⅛ inch thick.
- Transfer the Dough: Carefully transfer the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Add the Filling: Spoon the cherry mixture into the center of the dough, leaving about a 2-inch border of dough all around the edges.
- Fold the Edges: Gently fold the edges of the dough over the cherry filling, overlapping slightly as you go around the perimeter.
- Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk (or water) to create an egg wash. Brush this mixture over the exposed crust for a beautiful golden finish.
- Top with Almonds & Sugar: Sprinkle the edges with sliced almonds and coarse sugar for a bit of crunch and sweetness.
4. Bake the Galette
Bake the Cherry Almond Galette in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the edges of the crust brown too quickly, you can cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
5. Cool & Serve
Once baked, allow the galette to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. This helps the filling set and makes it easier to cut into neat slices. Serve your galette warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a spoonful of mascarpone cheese for an extra touch of luxury.
Tips & Variations for Cherry Almond Galette
While this Cherry Almond Galette recipe is delicious as is, there are plenty of ways to customize it to suit your tastes.
Make it Nutty:
For an extra layer of flavor, try spreading almond paste or frangipane on the dough before adding the cherries. This adds a wonderful almond flavor throughout the galette.
Add Depth of Flavor:
Consider adding ½ teaspoon cinnamon or a splash of brandy to the cherry filling for a deeper, more complex taste.
Frozen Cherries:
If you’re using frozen cherries, don’t bother thawing them before making the galette. Simply add 1 extra teaspoon of cornstarch to account for any excess moisture released during baking.
Storage Tips for Your Cherry Almond Galette
If you have leftovers (which is unlikely!), store your Cherry Almond Galette in an airtight container.
- At Room Temperature: Keep it loosely covered for up to 2 days.
- In the Refrigerator: If you want to store it longer, refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best texture, reheat your galette in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes to crisp up the crust again.
FAQs About Cherry Almond Galette
1. Can I make this Cherry Almond Galette ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and filling in advance. Simply chill the dough and store the filling in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake. This can save you time on the day of serving!
2. Can I use other fruits instead of cherries?
Absolutely! You can substitute the cherries with other fruits like peaches, plums, or apples. Just adjust the sugar and cornstarch based on the juiciness of the fruit.
3. Is almond extract necessary?
While it adds a beautiful depth of flavor, almond extract is optional. If you prefer a more subtle taste, you can omit it or replace it with a splash of vanilla extract.
Conclusion
The Cherry Almond Galette is the perfect balance of rustic simplicity and elegant flavor. With its flaky pastry, juicy cherry filling, and almond twist, it’s a dessert that’s both easy to make and a joy to eat. Whether you’re serving it at a summer gathering or enjoying it with a cup of tea, this galette will never disappoint. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert baker to create this stunning treat—just follow the steps, and you’ll be rewarded with a dessert that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat.
Cherry Almond Galette Recipe: A Rustic and Elegant Dessert
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A galette is essentially a free-form pastry, with no need for fancy pie pans or intricate crimping. It’s rustic, relaxed, and absolutely delicious. The beauty of the Cherry Almond Galette lies in its simplicity—just a few ingredients, a bit of time, and you’re left with a show-stopping dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves (optional but lovely)
Wet Ingredients
1 cup (240 g) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Add-ins
¾ cup (130 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus a few extra for topping)
Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Combine
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined (don’t overmix).
Fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts if using).
Fill Muffin Cups
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups (each about ¾ full).
Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top for a bakery-style look.
Bake
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few melted chocolate streaks are okay).
Cool & Serve
Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Serve warm or at room temperature — they’re heavenly either way!
Notes
This rustic Cherry Almond Galette is perfect for showcasing seasonal fruit. Its flaky crust and nutty almond flavor make it an elegant dessert for dinner parties or a cozy weekend treat—serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
Keywords: Cherry Almond Galette
