This Blueberry Almond Galette is a delightful and easy-to-make dessert that showcases the best of summer blueberries. With a crispy, buttery crust and a sweet, almond-flavored filling, this galette is the perfect balance of rustic charm and elegant taste. It’s a simpler, less fussy alternative to pie, but just as delicious. Whether you use fresh or frozen berries, this dessert is sure to impress with its combination of sweet fruit and crunchy almonds, making it an ideal treat for any occasion.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Filling:
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3 cups blueberries
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1/4 cup sugar
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3/4 teaspoon almond extract
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2 teaspoons lemon juice
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1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
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2 teaspoons cornstarch
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1/4 cup sliced almonds
For the Dough:
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1/2 cup unsalted butter
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
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2 tablespoons chilled water
For the Galette:
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1 egg (for egg wash)
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1 tablespoon semolina flour
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1 tablespoon brown sugar
Directions
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Make the Pastry: In a medium-sized bowl, add the flour and salt. Cut the cold butter into cubes and add it to the flour. Use a pastry cutter to blend the butter into the flour until it forms a crumbly dough. Add cold water and mix until all the flour is incorporated. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
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Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, combine the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, almond extract, lemon juice, and ground ginger. Stir gently to combine.
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Roll Out the Dough: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). On a sheet of parchment paper, roll out the chilled dough into a 7-inch circle. Sprinkle the semolina flour onto the dough to prevent a soggy crust. Then, spread the blueberry mixture in the center, leaving a 1-1.5 inch border.
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Fold the Edges: Gently fold the edges of the dough over the filling, overlapping as needed. Brush the folded dough with a beaten egg and sprinkle brown sugar over the edges.
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Bake the Galette: Place the galette on a baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
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Serve: Let the galette cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Nutrients
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Calories: 262 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 32g
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Protein: 4g
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Fat: 14g
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Saturated Fat: 8g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
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Trans Fat: 0.5g
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Cholesterol: 51mg
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Sodium: 84mg
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Potassium: 100mg
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Fiber: 2g
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Sugar: 14g
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Vitamin A: 414 IU
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Vitamin C: 6mg
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Calcium: 22mg
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Iron: 1mg
The Beauty of a Galette: A Simple Yet Elegant Dessert
A galette is often considered the perfect dessert for those who want to enjoy the essence of a fruit pie without the complexity of making a traditional pie crust. The beauty of a galette lies in its simplicity—it’s a freeform pastry that requires no pie dish or intricate crimping of the edges. The dough is rolled out into a rough circle, filled with fruit, and then the edges are folded over to create a rustic, charming presentation. This easy-to-make dessert offers a more relaxed alternative to pie, while still maintaining the same delicious combination of sweet fruit and buttery crust. The freeform nature of the galette allows you to be creative with the shape and size, making it a versatile option for any occasion, from casual gatherings to more formal celebrations.
While a galette’s rustic charm may appear effortless, the end result is far from ordinary. The tender, flaky crust is the perfect complement to the sweet filling, and the simplicity of the design allows the fruit to shine as the star of the show. The Blueberry Almond Galette strikes a perfect balance between elegance and ease, making it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
A Buttery, Flaky Crust: The Foundation of the Galette
The crust of the Blueberry Almond Galette is what gives it its indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth quality. Made with unsalted butter and a simple mixture of flour and salt, the dough is rich and tender, yet sturdy enough to hold the filling. The use of cold butter ensures that the crust remains flaky and light, as the butter creates small pockets of air within the dough as it bakes. This results in a crisp, golden-brown crust that provides the perfect textural contrast to the soft, juicy filling.
What sets this crust apart from others is the addition of semolina flour, which is sprinkled on the dough before the filling is added. Semolina flour helps to absorb any excess moisture from the blueberries, preventing the crust from becoming soggy. This small but crucial step ensures that the galette maintains its crispness, even as the filling bubbles up during baking. The dough itself is relatively easy to work with and doesn’t require the precision or perfection of a pie crust, making it an ideal option for home bakers of all skill levels.
The Almond Flavor: A Nutty Twist
Almonds play a key role in elevating the flavor profile of this galette. The almond extract, which is added to the blueberry filling, infuses the dessert with a subtle, nutty sweetness that pairs perfectly with the fruit. Almonds are known for their delicate, slightly sweet flavor, and they complement blueberries exceptionally well. The addition of sliced almonds as a topping not only adds texture and crunch but also enhances the almond flavor in the filling. As the galette bakes, the almonds become golden and toasted, adding a nutty aroma and a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, juicy blueberries.
This almond infusion gives the Blueberry Almond Galette a depth of flavor that makes it feel more sophisticated than a simple fruit tart. The nutty flavor balances the tartness of the blueberries, creating a more complex and nuanced dessert. Whether you are a fan of almonds or simply looking for a way to add more layers of flavor, the combination of almonds and blueberries is sure to impress.
Blueberries: The Star of the Galette
Blueberries are the star ingredient in this galette, and their natural sweetness and juiciness make them an ideal choice for this dessert. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, blueberries are not only a healthy addition to the dish but also bring vibrant color and flavor. Their slightly tart taste provides a perfect balance to the rich almond flavor and the buttery crust, making them the perfect fruit to feature in a galette. Whether you use fresh or frozen blueberries, the flavor remains consistent, and their juiciness helps create a luscious filling that melts in your mouth.
The addition of sugar, lemon juice, ginger, and cornstarch to the blueberries enhances their natural flavor while helping to thicken the filling. The sugar brings out the sweetness of the berries, while the lemon juice adds a touch of acidity that brightens the flavor. The ground ginger adds a subtle warmth and spice, which deepens the overall flavor of the filling and complements the sweetness of the blueberries. The cornstarch helps to bind the juices from the berries, creating a smooth, jam-like consistency that holds the filling together as the galette bakes.
Baking the Galette: Perfectly Golden and Crisp
Baking the Blueberry Almond Galette is a simple process that results in a golden, flaky pastry with a bubbling, flavorful filling. The galette is baked at a relatively high temperature, allowing the crust to become crisp and golden while the filling cooks through. The edges of the dough are folded up over the filling, creating a rustic, uneven look that is part of the charm of a galette. The exposed center of the galette allows the blueberries to bubble up, creating an enticing visual that showcases the delicious filling.
The egg wash applied to the crust before baking gives it a beautiful golden color and a slight sheen, enhancing the visual appeal of the galette. After about 40 minutes of baking, the galette will have a perfectly golden crust with a rich, bubbling blueberry filling. The smell of freshly baked pastry and warm fruit will fill your kitchen, making it impossible to resist.
Serving the Galette: Simple Yet Elegant
The beauty of the Blueberry Almond Galette lies in its rustic charm, which requires little more than a dusting of brown sugar and a simple egg wash for a touch of elegance. Once baked and cooled, the galette can be sliced into wedges and served as is, or you can add a few optional toppings to enhance its flavor and presentation. A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect accompaniment to this warm, fruit-filled dessert. For added texture and richness, sprinkle some crushed hazelnuts or toasted almonds on top, or garnish with a few fresh berries.
The beauty of the galette’s rustic design means it can be served casually at a family meal or dressed up for a more formal dinner party. It’s an ideal dessert for summer gatherings, holiday meals, or any time you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to something special. Its simplicity allows the natural flavors of the blueberries and almonds to shine, making it a dessert that’s both easy to make and impressive to serve.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Blueberry Almond Galette is a delicious and versatile dessert that offers the perfect balance of rustic charm and elegant taste. The buttery, flaky crust, combined with the sweet blueberry filling and the nutty almond flavor, creates a dessert that is both satisfying and memorable. Whether you’re preparing it for a summer gathering, a holiday feast, or just because, this galette is sure to impress with its beautiful presentation and indulgent flavors. Its simplicity makes it an accessible dessert for home bakers of all levels, while its taste and appearance make it suitable for any occasion. The Blueberry Almond Galette is the ideal treat for anyone looking to enjoy the sweetness of summer fruit in a delightful and easy-to-make pastry.