Combine cherries and sugar in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until cherries are soft and syrupy about 10 minutes.
In a small bowl whisk together 1 tbsp of cornstarch and 1 tbsp cold water. Stir into cherries and whisk constantly over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a full boil.
Remove from heat and stir in almond extract. Allow to cool for about 10-15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425℉ and line a heavy baking sheet with parchment.
In a small bowl cream together cream cheese, 1 tbsp of powdered sugar and vanilla.
Lay puff pastry sheet on parchment and stretch slightly in width and length to 11-12".
Using a pastry scraper or knife cut 1" wide fingers on the top and bottom third of pastry (length of fingers will be 3-4") and the centre 4" portion will be uncut (see photo).
Spread cream cheese evenly along the centre uncut 4" portion of pastry.
Spread cherry filling evenly on top of the cream cheese filling, leaving the fingers uncovered.
Pull fingers across filling, alternating sides as you go (it's ok to have some small spaces in the pastry). Tuck any excess pastry underneath.
In a small bowl whisk together egg and 1 tbsp milk or cream. Brush generously onto pastry.
Bake in preheated oven for 25-28 minutes until golden and puffed. Remove from oven to a cooling rack for 5 minutes.
Glaze
In a small bowl whisk together 1/2cup powdered sugar and 1 tbsp milk or cream. Drizzle over pastry while warm and sprinkle with toasted almonds.
Serve warm, cutting into 1 1/2" slices.
Recipe Notes
-Toast almonds in a preheated 350℉ oven for 10-12 minutes, stirring once.
-Using a pastry cutter to cut fingers allows a clean cut without cutting through the parchment.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. If using bacon, add to skillet and cook until crisp and fat has rendered. Scoop out the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Remove all but a tablespoon of fat.
If not using bacon, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add wine, thyme, salt and pepper and cook until the wine has cooked out about 3 minutes.
Stir in cream cheese, 1/4 cup of Gruyere and bacon (if using).
Preheat oven to 425℉ and lightly spray a 4 3/4"- 5 3/4" x 14" tart pan with removable bottom. Fit puff pastry into the tart pan and trim the top so it is level with the pan. You will need to cut the puff pastry sheet in two pieces to make it fit.
Spread filling evenly into pastry shell and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of grated gruyere. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden and filling is bubbly.
Allow tart to rest for a couple of minutes prior to removing the outer pan. Cut into wedges, garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
The tart can be assembled up to a day in advance and kept covered and chilled until ready to bake.
Preheat oven to 400℉. In a small bowl combine brown sugar and spices. Smear 1 tbsp of butter onto the bottom of each 5" round x 1" high ramekin. Sprinkle an approximate 2 tbsp brown sugar spice mix over butter. Slice bananas into approximate 1/8" slices and arrange in a concentric circle over the brown sugar, overlapping each slice just slightly. Drizzle 1 tsp rum evenly over bananas.
Cut puff pastry rounds to fit the ramekin and prick with a fork. Lay pastry over bananas, tucking in the edges. Arrange ramekins on a large cookie sheet to catch any drips. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes until puff pastry is puffed and golden. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 1-2 minutes. Invert each ramekin onto serving plate and serve with vanilla or caramel ice cream.
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