Low Carb Frangipane Apple Tart - Gluten-free and Sugar-Free

This Low Carb Frangipane Apple Tart is unique and elegant yet simple to make.  Making a simple gluten-free and sugar-free Frangipane base and adding diced apples and roasted walnuts, this Gluten-Free Frangipane Apple Tart was ready to bake in under 20 minutes.

this recipe

Sugar-Free Frangipane

I am not sure you could find a single person who dislikes apples.

Seriously, when was the last time you heard someone state that they were not a fan of apples?

It just doesn't happen.

So, when it comes to making desserts for a crowd, anything with apples is sure to please.

Recently, we ended up with too many apples.

I don't quite know how it happened but both Mr. Grumbles and I ended up putting apples in the shopping cart and instead of asking the poor cashier to put one bag back, we just decided to buy them both.

The perfect excuse to come up with a new apple recipe for my blog!

What I didn't want to do was to make an apple pie or an apple crumble.

Why you may ask?

Well, in the world of food bloggers, my little food blog is not hitting the top page on Google.

Let's face it, how could an apple pie recipe from my blog compete with the Taste of Home, All Recipes and Pillsbury's out there?

It can't and nor do I want it too.

You see, I like to create a little different, slightly weird and mostly healthy recipes that the average food blogger would think about.  Such things like my 4-Ingredient Keto Chocolate Truffle Pie as well as my Mile High Keto Creamy Pumpkin Pie Recipe are not only unique, but also sugar-free, gluten-free and keto-friendly.

Keeping that in mind, I decided to combine my curiosity of the term Frangipane with some type of apple component.

This low carb Frangipane Apple Tart was the perfect answer!

What is Frangipane and how is it different from Marzipan

Of French origin, Frangipane is simply a combination of almonds, butter, sugar and eggs.  Frangipane is similar to pastry cream and is used in much the same way.  This makes a soft, spreadable cream that’s used almost exclusively as a filling for pastries.

Do not mistake Frangipane with Marzipan.  Marzipan is an almond candy. Powdered sugar and corn syrup (or glucose) get worked into the almond paste to form a pliable, clay-like substance similar to fondant. This is used to sculpt the miniature fruits and detailed animals that decorate the tops of cakes or get sold as stand-alone candies.

Low Carb Frangipane Apple Tart Ingredients

• Apple - I like to use firm apples in this recipe. You do NOT need to peel the apples which saves time. Also, much of the fiber and health benefits of apples are found in the skin so leaving the skin on is much healthier!
• Nuts - I like the combination of walnuts with apples but any type of nut will work. I also like to use my Sugar-free Candied Nuts but you can simply use roasted nuts instead. I do not suggest salted nuts as they will make this dessert recipe a little too salty.
• Butter - Unsalted butter or margarine will work.
• Eggs - Make sure you use large eggs that are at room temperature.
• Almond Flour - You can use super-fine or regular almond flour.
• Sweetener - My favourite sugar-free sweetener used for baking is WholeEarth Allulose Baking Blend but feel free to use any sugar-free sweetener. Just be aware that different sugar substitutes have varying levels of sweetness so you may need to modify the recipe to suit your taste. Also, don't forget that allulose browns MUCH FASTER than other sugar substitutes so you may need to cover your sugar-free frangipane sooner if you are only using allulose as a sweetener.
• Vanilla extract, apple pie spice, kosher salt and apple extract - I used the apple extract since I wanted to keep the carbs extra low and only added 4 oz of apple. You can omit this ingredient or use any other type of extract.

Sugar-free Apple Tart Instructions

Making sugar-free frangipane is really simple.

Step 1 - Prepare the batter

• Place the butter in a medium-size microwave-safe bowl and cover a damp paper towel.
• Cook on high power for 60-90 seconds or until the butter is melted.
• Allow the melted butter to cool for 5 minutes then add the sweetener and whisk until incorporated. The mixture will be a little grainy at this point.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
• Add the vanilla, spice, salt and extract. Stir to incorporate.   Add the almond flour and stir until fully incorporated.
• Lastly, fold all but ¼ cup of the diced apple and walnuts into the batter

Step 2 - Bake

• Transfer the mixture to the pie/tart shell or the springform pan and spread it to an even layer.
• Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of diced apples and walnuts evenly over the top.

• Bake on the prepared sheet pan for 20-25 minutes OR until the top is beginning to turn a golden brown. Then cover lightly with foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes for a total of 30-40 minutes (the crustless frangipane will most likely take less time than the one with a crust).
• The frangipane should no longer be wobbly in the center when given a gentle shake.

What substitutions can be made?

• Gluten-free Crust - simply buy a crust from the store or make your own
• Almond Flour - make your own almond flour by processing whole almonds in a food processor until they form a flour.  Don't have any almonds?  Simply take whatever nut you have to create a flour and use it interchangeably with the almond flour
• Apples - use pears, nectarines or any other fruit
• Whole Earth Sweetener - you can use any other sugar substitute.  If using real sugar, you will need to double the amount of sugar

More Keto Dessert Recipes

Looking for other keto dessert recipes? Try these:

Keto Pie Crust Recipes

Although I love this crustless frangipane recipe, feel free to use any of the following if you want to use a crust!

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