Gâteau Basque aux Figues Fraîches

In the Basque country, the word gâteau usually refers to a tart, not a cake. Just to further confuse, a gâteau is also known locally as a pastis, which simply means pastry, not the anise-flavored drink. Gâteau Basque itself is a crumbly, double-crusted tart filled with either a rum-flavored pastry cream or a thick fruit purée. I prefer the fruit versions, like this one layered with a delicious fig mixture. Prune purée or Marmelade de Fruits d’Automne make a good alternative, as does simple