Pithiviers
Almond cream sealed between two discs of puff pastry, the top scored in curves from the centre. The scoring is what everyone recognises it by.
Method
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Beat the butter and sugar until pale, then beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the ground almonds, flour, rum, vanilla and salt.
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Chill the frangipane 30 minutes so it firms up.
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Cut two discs from the pastry, one 24 cm and one 26 cm. Lay the smaller on a lined tray.
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Mound the frangipane in the centre, leaving a 3 cm border, and brush that border with beaten egg.
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Lay the larger disc over the top and press the border down firmly with the back of a knife, then scallop the edge.
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Chill 60 minutes. Brush the top with egg and score curved rays from the centre to the edge, cutting only through the top layer.
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Bake at 200°C / 400°F for 45 minutes, until deep brown and puffed. Dust with sugar and give it 3 minutes more to glaze.
Chef’s Tips
- Seal and scallop the edges hard. Frangipane escapes.
- Chill before baking so the pastry puffs.
- Score the top layer only.
Pairing Suggestions
- Crème fraîche
- Coffee
- A glass of cider
Storage & Reheating
Two days at room temperature. Refresh at 180°C for 8 minutes. It freezes unbaked for 2 months.
Common questions
How long does Pithiviers take to make?
About 1 hour 20 minutes of hands-on work — 35 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour 30 minutes of chilling the frangipane and the assembled pastry, so allow 2 hours 50 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 8.
What are the key tips for making Pithiviers?
Seal and scallop the edges hard. Frangipane escapes. Chill before baking so the pastry puffs. Score the top layer only.
What should I serve with Pithiviers?
Crème fraîche; Coffee; A glass of cider.
Can Pithiviers be made ahead or frozen?
Two days at room temperature. Refresh at 180°C for 8 minutes. It freezes unbaked for 2 months.
Is Pithiviers suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Pithiviers?
About 585 kcal per serving, with 10 g protein, 48 g carbohydrate and 40 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.