What Is Frangipane and Why Do Bakers Love It? (2024)

What Ingredients Are in Frangipane?

Frangipane is a pastry filling made with finely ground almonds or almond meal. It is sometimes referred to as almond cream. And, being more or less like a pie filling, frangipane is never consumed raw because it contains raw eggs.

Unlike marzipan and almond paste, frangipane is not widely available ready-made and off the supermarket shelf. This means that you have to make it yourself from scratch. But no worries, you don't need to be a trained pastry chef to make frangipane.

Types of Frangipane

There are different versions of frangipane. The classic French version is based on crème pâtissière, a thick, custard-like pastry cream made with eggs, milk, butter, flour, and sugar, which is then mixed with ground almonds. For a quick and easy no-cook frangipane, you can simply whip it up using butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. There is also the option to make frangipane vegan without eggs or dairy.

Can You Make Frangipane With Almond Paste?

Making frangipane using almond paste instead of ground almonds is not recommended. Recipes calling for frangipane require a specific balance between almonds, sugar, egg, and flour. Because almond paste already contains almonds and sugar, it will be difficult to create the same end result. It is much easier — and more economical due to the price of almond paste — to make frangipane from scratch.

What Is Frangipane and Why Do Bakers Love It? (1)

History of Frangipane

There are several theories about how and when frangipane was invented. Most sources attribute the idea to the Roman nobleman named Marquis Muzio Frangipani, whose family served as perfumers to King Louis XIII of France, who reigned from 1610 to 1643. All the fashion worn by nobility at the time was heavily scented, and gloves in particular. Frangipane introduced leather gloves that were intensely perfumed with bitter almond. These gloves à la Frangipani were such a hit that they later inspired French pastry chefs to incorporate the scent into a pastry cream. The recipe first appeared in a cookbook between 1674 and 1756 depending on the source you want to trust.

How to Use Frangipane

Frangipane is used in several European pastries, especially as a filling for tarts.

In French baking, it is used for the Epiphany cake called Galette des rois. It is traditionally baked on January 6 and contains a dried fava bean, which makes the person who finds the bean the king or queen. Note that some recipes use almond paste instead of ground almonds for the frangipane filling. Frangipane is also used to fill Pithiviers, a similar pie made of puff pastry with a distinct spiral or flower pattern.

A popular British specialty with frangipane is Bakewell tart, which is a variation of Bakewell pudding that originated in the town of Bakewell in Derbyshire, England.

Not attributable to a particular cuisine is Pear Frangipane Tart, which in the Italian variation becomes Pear and Frangipane Crostata.

How to Store Frangipane

Frangipane made with raw egg must be refrigerated and used as soon as possible, within the same day. Vegan frangipane, however, can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen for up to six months.

Our How to Make Frangipane article describes how to make frangipane three different ways, as well as storage guidelines for each version.

More Fun With Frangipane

What Is Frangipane and Why Do Bakers Love It? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Frangipane and Why Do Bakers Love It? ›

Frangipane, a spreadable paste made from almond flour, sugar, eggs, and almond extract, is a baker's secret weapon. Wildly versatile, aromatic, and rich, frangipane is one of the best (and easiest!) recipes in a baker's repertoire.

What is a frangipane? ›

Frangipane is a pastry filling made with finely ground almonds or almond meal. It is sometimes referred to as almond cream. And, being more or less like a pie filling, frangipane is never consumed raw because it contains raw eggs.

What is the history of frangipane? ›

The word frangipane is a French term used to name products with an almond flavour. The word comes ultimately from the last name of Marquis Muzio Frangipani or Cesare Frangipani. The word first denoted the frangipani plant, from which was produced the perfume originally said to flavor frangipane.

What is the flavor of frangipani? ›

The tart shell of the Frangipani is always almond flavored by either using almond flour, ground or chopped almonds or using almond paste which is actually marzipan. It usually has a jelly-lined bottom tart shell and can be any flavor.

What flavour is frangipane? ›

A great frangipane recipe is something that every baker should have in their back pocket. For the unfamiliar, is a sweet almond-flavored paste used in a variety of ways including in cakes and pastries such as Bakewell Tart, Pear & Almond Tart, fruit tarts, etc.

Why is it called frangipane? ›

It resembles thick almond custard. Frangipane is named after 16th century Italian nobleman Marquis Muzio Frangipani, who invented a bitter almond-scented fragrance that was used to perfume gloveswhile he was living in Paris.

Is a frangipane tart French or Italian? ›

Frangipane is one of those classic French pastry preparations, made with a finely ground mixture of half almonds and half sugar.

What is the difference between frangipane and frangipani? ›

Plumeria is a genus of flowering plants whose common name is Frangipani. Frangipani or Frangipane may also refer to: Frangipane, an almond-flavoured pastry filling.

Who invented frangipane? ›

The history of frangipane is traced to a 16th-century Italian nobleman, Marquis Muzio Frangipani, who introduced almond perfume-scented gloves that were all the rage. Pastry chefs tried to capture this popular scent in desserts; hence the birth of frangipane.

Is frangipane the same thing as marzipan? ›

In essence, frangipane is an almond filling, sometimes called frangipane cream. It isn't the same as marzipan, which is an almond-sugar paste that's so dense it can be formed into decorative shapes and painted in bright colors.

What is special about frangipani? ›

It's considered a symbol of immortality because it can flower and produce leaves even if uprooted. One of the most famous species is the ornamental tree Plumeria acuminata, widely known for its white flowers with creamy yellow centers.

What do Hawaiians call frangipani? ›

Plumeria in Hawaiian is “Melia,” and the scientific name is Frangipani; this flower belongs to the family of Apocynaceae.

What are some fun facts about frangipani? ›

A little bit about Frangipani

The petals are waxy and the centre of the flower is a different colour - just like the most common variety which has white flowers with a yellow centre. Unlike some flowering trees which bloom for a few days or weeks, frangipani flower for months.

Should frangipane be wet? ›

Tips: Frangipane is a classic dessert filling made with ground almonds which help to keep it moist when baked. The filling should be soft and have a damp crumb texture, more like a set custard than a fluffy sponge.

Why is my frangipane runny? ›

The long baking time is required to fully set the frangipane filling. Don't be tempted to take the tart out of the oven too soon – it will result in a pale pastry case and a runny frangipane.

Should frangipane be refrigerated? ›

Frangipane can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container; it's far easier to spread and smooth once chilled.

Is frangipani the same as almond paste? ›

Another difference between frangipane and almond paste and marzipan is the ingredients. In addition to almonds and sugar, frangipane contains eggs, butter, and flour. French-style frangipane also requires milk to prepare a custard, which is then mixed with ground almonds. Frangipane has a very soft consistency.

Is frangipani the same as marzipan? ›

In essence, frangipane is an almond filling, sometimes called frangipane cream. It isn't the same as marzipan, which is an almond-sugar paste that's so dense it can be formed into decorative shapes and painted in bright colors.

What's the difference between frangipane and marzipan? ›

Frangipane is a rich, cream-based filling, while marzipan is a thick paste mostly used for decorative purposes. The main thing they have in common is the almonds required to make each one, but beyond that, they're wildly different — especially in consistency — meaning you'll find them used differently, too.

Can you eat frangipane raw? ›

Because it contains raw egg and flour, frangipane is always baked before eating.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6040

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.