Fig (or Plum) and Almond Tart

This is a beautiful dessert and it tastes as good as it looks. Don’t let the picture fool you, even beginner bakers can make this tart.  This is the tart before it is cooked. Sorry but I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.

Ingredients
1 sheet of store bought puff pastry dough (I found a great brand called French Picnic at Whole Foods)
3 ½ ounces almond paste  cut into small pieces(at room temp.)
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese (at room temp.)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons honey
6 large or 12 small figs (sliced and stems removed) OR 4 plums (Depends on size)
¼ cup apricot jam
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ cup half and half (optional)

Prep Time: 15 mins         Bake Time: 40 mins            Oven Temp:  400 F

1. In food processor, combine sugar, almond paste, mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract and honey. Blend until smooth.
2. Slice figs or plums into wedges.
3. Place one sheet of puff pastry dough on parchment paper lined baking sheet.
4. Spread almond mixture in the middle of the dough leaving 2 inch border around the edge.
5. Arrange figs or plums over filling.
6. Spoon jam over figs.
7. Fold the dough border over the filling.
8. Brush half and half over dough border and sprinkle with sugar.
9. Bake 40 mins until golden.

This is a great dessert to make for Mother's Day! Try it out and impress your family.