- 2/3 cup grappa (preferably Julia brand)
- 3 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup pitted prunes, halved
- 1/3 cup dried cherries
- 1/3 cup dried California (Pacific) apricots
- Pastry dough
- 7 ounces almond paste (not marzipan; about 1 cup)
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Equipment: an 11-inch flan ring or round tart pan (with removable bottom); pie weights or dried beans
- Heat grappa with sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Add fruit and gently simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat and let macerate, stirring occasionally, 24 hours.
- Set flan ring on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. (If using a tart pan, parchment is not necessary.) Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 13-inch round, then fit into flan ring and trim excess dough. Chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.
- Lightly prick bottom of shell all over with a fork, then line with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake until side is set and edge is pale golden, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove foil and weights and bake until bottom is golden, about 10 minutes more. Cool completely in pan, about 30 minutes. Leave oven on.
- Beat almond paste, butter, sugar, extract, and salt in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed 3 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in flour.
- Spread frangipane filling in cooled shell. Drain fruit in a sieve set over a bowl, reserving syrup, and scatter fruit over filling, pressing in slightly. Bake until puffed and golden, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer tart on parchment to a rack. Brush reserved syrup over tart and cool to warm or room temperature.