The secret to this free-form tart is the layer of ground almonds under the berries: it thickens the juices, prevents a soggy crust and delivers an exquisite background flavor for the intense berries.

Makes 12 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 1 hour

TOTAL TIME: 3 hours

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

Crust
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (see Ingredient note)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar, plus 1 teaspoon for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold butter (1/2 stick), cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 cup ice water, plus more as needed
1 large egg, separated (see Tip; save the white to glaze the pastry)
1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar

Filling & glaze
1/4 cup slivered almonds (1 ounce)
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour (regular or pastry flour)
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar or Splenda Granular
4 cups mixed berries, such as blackberries, raspberries and blueberries
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons raspberry, blueberry or blackberry jam

1. To prepare crust: Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with a few larger pieces. Add oil and stir with a fork to blend. Mix 1/4 cup water, egg yolk and 1 teaspoon lemon juice (or vinegar) in a measuring cup. Add just enough of the egg yolk mixture to the flour mixture, stirring with a fork, until the dough clumps together. (Add a little water if the dough seems too dry.) Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead several times. Form the dough into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and coat with cooking spray.
3. To prepare filling & assemble tart: Spread almonds in a small baking pan. Bake until light golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Let cool. Combine whole-wheat flour, 1/4 cup sugar (or Splenda) and the toasted almonds in a food processor or blender; process until the almonds are ground.
4. Roll the dough into a rough 13- to 14-inch circle on a lightly floured surface, about 1/4 inch thick. Roll it back over the rolling pin, brush off excess flour, and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Spread the almond mixture over the pastry, leaving a 2-inch border all around. Toss berries with the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar (or Splenda) and 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a large bowl; spoon over the almond mixture. Fold the border up and over the filling, pleating as necessary. Blend the reserved egg white and 1 tablespoon water with a fork; brush lightly over the tart rim. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar.
5. Bake the tart for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake until the crust is golden and the juices are bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Leaving the tart on the parchment (or foil), carefully slide it onto a wire rack. Let cool.
6. Shortly before serving, melt jam in a small saucepan over low heat; brush over the berries. Cut the tart into wedges.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 200 calories; 7 g fat (3 g sat, 2 g mono); 28 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 4 g fiber; 55 mg sodium.

Nutrition bonus: Fiber (16% daily value), Vitamin C (15% dv).

2 Carbohydrate Servings

TIP: Ingredient Note: Whole-wheat pastry flour is milled from soft wheat. It contains less gluten than regular whole-wheat flour and helps ensure a tender result in delicate baked goods while providing the nutritional benefits of whole grains. Available in large supermarkets and in natural-foods stores. Store in the freezer.

Tip: To separate eggs safely: Use an egg separator, an inexpensive gadget found in cookware stores; separating eggs by passing the yolk back and forth between pieces of eggshell or your hands can expose the eggs to bacteria.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: To make ahead: Prepare crust through Step 1; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.